Ukraine is proud not only of its magnificent beauty of nature, beautiful Ukrainian ladies, great traditions and customs, but also of its musical heritage. The history of Ukrainian music has ancient roots and traces to the medieval tradition of dumy and byliny (narrative epic and heroic poems). Several Ukrainian folk songs are famous in the world. Would you know more about it?

Many Ukrainian musicians and groups endeavor to save the traditional tunes of the Ukrainian folk music. Certain Ukrainian ethnic groups are known for their own characteristic unique music. The indigenous group of Hutsuls who inhabited the Carpathians Mountains uses such musical instruments as the trembita (an alpine horn made of wood, was used as a signaling device), the duda (a traditional bagpipe; this musical instrument creates a characteristic rhythmic squeaking while is played), the ocarina (a wind instrument, a kind of vessel flutes), and the tsymbaly (the Ukrainian variant of the hammer dulcimer; this musical instrument is rather old and has existed in Ukraine since the 9th century). A Ukrainian trembita is considered to be the longest musical instrument in the world. Its length can reach 4 meters, and its sound is heard more than 10 kilometers.
The music of the Ukrainian winner of the 2004 Eurovision contest Ruslana Lyzhychko is highly affected by Hutsul musical motifs.
Ukrainian music is widely known as is, but it should be mentioned that western music sometimes inspired by Ukrainian folk songs. The most characteristic examples “Carol of the bells”, “Summertime” and “Where Have All the Flowers Gone?” may successfully illustrate this statement.
“Carol of the Bells”
One of the widespread Christmas carols in the world, “Carol of the Bells” is based on a Ukrainian folk song known as “Shchedryk” (music by a Ukrainian composer, Mykola Leontovich, lyrics by a popular American composer Peter J. Wilhousky). “Carol of the Bells” has been used a lot in the soundtracks for films and movies (“Home Alone”, “Saturday Night Live” or “The Muppets” should be mentioned in this regard). The song’s title “Shchedryk” is derived from the Ukrainian word “shchedryi” which means “generous”.
“Summertime”
The famous aria “Summertime” written by George Gershwin for the 1935 opera Porgy and Bess is said to be composed after having heard the old Ukrainian lullaby called “Oi Khodyt Son Kolo Vikon” (The Dream Passes by the Windows) towards the end of the twenties. George Gershwin inspired this musical composition performed by the Ukrainian National Chorus, the Ukrainian-Canadian composer and singer Alexis Kochan thinks.
So if you are interested in this piece of information, enjoy these wonderful examples of the world-famous music!