Great review of recent Vasyl Popadiuk performance in Chicago

I just found out about a great review on virtuoso violinist Vasyl Popadiuk.

... He lifted his violin, drew the bow across the strings, and filled the hall with his special kind of magic...The members of the audience was soon enraptured as the musician literally sank into his world, transforming himself into his own music, pouring his soul into every melody, inviting the listeners to join him. Join him they did, watching mesmerised as his bow vibrated almost invisibly on the strings during "Hutsul Fantasy" and "Sun," envisaging the fate of Eastern European emigres in the United States in the 19th and early 20th centuries ...

I saw Vasyl perform live twice and he is indeed a sight, and sound, to behold. The first time was here in Vancouver back in 1993 when he was still with the now-defunct (because most of them stayed in Canada) Hopak Ukrainian Folk Ensemble. The second time was a few years ago at Canada's National Ukrainian Festival in Dauphin, MB. I recall being spell-bound and absolutely astounded back in 1993 during that Hopak performance, and thinking his was an unusual talent. I'm glad he's staying active and wish him the great commercial success.

Read the entire review here.