An Evening with Larysa Kovalchuk -- Songs, Bandura & Originals

Welcome to An Evening with Larysa Kovalchuk! Join us for a night filled with Songs, mesmerizing Bandura performances, and captivating Originals. The event will be held at The Robert School of Music, where you can immerse yourself in the beautiful melodies and unique sounds created by Larysa Kovalchuk. Don't miss this opportunity to experience a blend of traditional and contemporary music in a live setting. Get ready for an unforgettable evening!

The Bandura: Ukraine's National Treasure

The Bandura, Ukraine's national instrument, stands as a powerful symbol of Ukrainian identity and cultural heritage. Its origins can be traced back to the 6th century, with early references in Greek chronicles describing a lute-like instrument played by warriors in camps and on battlefields.

Between the 15th and 18th centuries, blind traveling musicians known as kobzars roamed through Ukrainian towns and villages. They played the bandura while singing epic tales of the Kozaks (Ukrainian warriors), folk ballads, and religious psalms. These kobzars often played a significant role in preserving Ukraine's oral traditions and fostering a sense of national identity during periods of foreign domination.

Historically, the bandura was a smaller, simpler instrument with fewer strings, but it evolved significantly over time. By the late 19th and early 20th centuries, it developed into a fully chromatic concert instrument, with modern banduras featuring as many as 65 strings and covering five octaves. Advanced mechanisms, such as switches or levers, allow players to change tonalities, adding versatility to the instrument.

The bandura’s sound is unique, blending the tonal qualities of the harp and harpsichord. Its strings are plucked with the fingertips, creating a resonant and expressive voice well-suited for both solo performances and ensemble work. In traditional Ukrainian music, the bandura often accompanies vocals, but it is equally capable of performing complex instrumental compositions.

Today, the bandura is celebrated as a symbol of resilience and artistry. It is taught in Ukrainian music schools and conservatories, where students learn to master its intricate techniques. Beyond Ukraine, the bandura has gained international recognition, with musicians using it to explore both traditional and contemporary repertoires, ensuring its legacy continues to inspire audiences worldwide.

Biography

Larissa Kovalchuk / Voice of the Bandura

Larissa Kovalchuk’s extraordinary soprano voice, paired with the delicate melodies of the bandura, has captivated audiences across her native Ukraine, Western Europe, and Australia.

Born into a family of visual artists and musicians, Larissa's musical journey began in childhood. As she fondly recalls, “I sang before I talked.” She studied voice, bandura, and conducting at the Kiev Conservatorium of Music, quickly establishing herself as one of Ukraine’s leading musicians.

Larissa performed at numerous festivals across Ukraine and Western Europe, including events in Latvia, Estonia, Germany, and France. Her talent earned her recognition as a laureate at the 1993 All-Ukrainian Bandura Festival, and she gained international acclaim with her performance at the 1994 "All the World’s Violins" Festival in France, organized by the legendary Yehudi Menuhin. Since relocating to Australia, Larissa has worked with SBS and ABC Radio and Television, and has performed at prestigious venues and events such as the Sydney Opera House, Multicultural Festivals, Musica Viva, Café Carnivale, and Australia Day Concerts. In 2014, she was invited to perform as a soloist with the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra for their "Noel! Noel!" concert series and later appeared at the 2015 Woodford and 2022 National Folk Festivals. In 2024, she showcased her talents on Channel 7’s The Voice.

In addition to her vibrant performing career, Larissa earned a Master’s Degree in Education from the University of Sydney. She now balances her time between performing, teaching at the Riverina Conservatorium of Music.

Le Chen/Pianist & Composer

Le is a composer-pianist based in Sydney. He is a graduate of LASALLE College of the Arts (2015) under the tutelage of Dr. John Sharpley & Benjamin Loh major in piano performance; an active member of the Association of Composers, Singapore & COMPASS; a spokesperson for the local charity Club Rainbow & HST Bespoke Jeans and a songwriter under Bella Entertainment.

2024 premieres include: Reimagine Barber: for cello and piano (2024), “Inner Child”: for clarinet & piano (2024) in his monthly fundraiser concert series at St. John’s Darlinghurst, For Leila: an interstellar folk song (2023) in his ongoing four-hand series at Sydney Conservatorium & Esplanade Recital Studio. His latest six-movement Operetta written for Peking opera, soprano, violin and piano – “Double Feature (2024)” was presented at the newly founded Central Art Library sponsored by Opulent Pianoforte & COMPASS, featured on local newspaper: The Straits Times and Lianhe Zaobao.

Upcoming concerts and premieres include : playconduct his originals – Goose Song (2022) for voice & piano and Moon Variations for 2 violins (2025) in City Recital on 10th August 2025; piano recitals with Nathaniel Kong and Diego Music at St. John’s Darlinghurst in September and October; with Adele Ohki (violin) and Larysa Kovalchuk (Soprano) at The Robert School of Music as well as his violin works world premiere in Janurary 2026 with visiting Grammy nominated Ned Kellenberger from the U.S.

Programme Highlights

Guno - Ave Maria Bach (1853)

Catalani - Ebben nandro lontana (1892)

Pucinni - O mio babbino caro (1916)

Gershwin - Summertime (1935)

Myaskov - Concertino for Bandura and Toy Piano (1972)

Chen - For Leila, an interstellar (2023) & Lotus (2025)

and Some Bellini and Verdi

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

The Robert School of Music, 227 Commonwealth Street, Surry Hills, Australia