High mountain pastures

Kupalo songfolkComposerArranger

Mar 20

Written By andrew waller

Translated Text

Score Ukrainian

Score Transliterated

High mountain pastures | Ой високі полонини | Oj vysokij polonyny

Arranger: H. Zhukovsky | Г. Жуковський

This song is a choral celebration of the Hutsuls’ love of their highlands. The southeastern-most part of the Carpathian Mountains, which is inhabited by Ukrainian highlanders called Hutsuls, is the most elevated and picturesque part of the Ukrainian Carpathians, characterized by gently sloping mountains where highland pastures called polonyny are widespread, enabling herding, particularly of sheep, to be the core of the local culture. Hutsul society is renowned for its quick and boisterous dances and songs that match this tempo. They use unique musical instruments, including the "trembita", a type of alpine horn, as well as multiple varieties of the fife, or sopilka, that are used to create unique folk melodies and rhythms. Fun, fast, and a perennial audience pleaser, this folk song truly characterizes this unique region of Ukraine.

Vesnivka first performed this song during its concert tour in Ukraine in 1991 to standing ovations. The choir continues to perform it whenever a quick infusion of energy and fun is the order of the day or as a great encore piece.