In the Southeast of Podolia, just a few minutes from the Moldavian border, you'll find the Zagnitkiv village, home of the Baranovskys, a family of musicians. For generations, a musical treasure has been passed on here, a treasure, which reflects the ethnic fusion of the region: Ukrainians played with Moldovans, with Jews, with Gypsies and Russians.
Wherever two wedding orchestras met, they passed on their own music and gained something new.
Today the way is paved for international exchange, and Konsonans Retro starts as an East-Western project. Besides the pure passion of playing they also have a mission, since especially the Jewish part of the family repertoire has become rare and valuable. Multi-instrumentalist Vasyl Baranovsky, the eldest son of Moise and Maria, started to play the drum in his father's orchestra at the age of four, and still remembers many pieces which are now perhaps only known to him.
Today the Baranovsky brothers live not far from Zagnitkiv in the small town of Kodyma, near to their cousins, who also play with the group. Their children either go their own way or stay - some of them follow the family tradition and become musicians. At high age, mother Maria remains in Zagnitkiv, where she is still said to play the drum with high spirit.
It is what it is: plain and rough music
full of strength, straightforward and uninhibited
clear and comforting as backyard-wodka
killing the worm of sorrow.
That's what it is.
The moment you hear these brazen sounds
you're in it, deeply. No way out.
Music straight from the wide open spaces
out of the dust and the mud of daily life
where to laugh is to survive.
No delicacy here, no finesse
it's not that kind of thing.
It is the beauty of the imperfect
music of the uncarved block
handed down from father to son
to ease the burden, to lift the spirit
to forget about time and the toll it takes.
These unfinished sounds of Konsonans Retro
wrench you back to the real world
where life is a family affair.
Join the family.
PETER MÖRICKE