Album ‘Ukrainian Fantasy’

Mariia Yaremak’s album ‘Ukrainian Fantasy’ is not merely a collection of music, but a comprehensive journey into the world of ancient Ukrainian melodies, reimagined through the prism of a contemporary cinematic soundscape. The album was released in September 2025, bringing together ten compositions for piano and string quartet, as well as versions for chamber orchestra. The very idea for the project stemmed from the composer’s childhood dreams of a ‘Ukrainian Hogwarts’ and her desire to reveal to the world the richness of our mythology – the images of mavkas, chugaystry and ancient traditions she had experienced since childhood in the Carpathians.

The album is based on the principle of musical storytelling, with each composition unfolding like a dramatic tale. Listeners will recognise familiar folk motifs such as ‘Shchedryk’, ‘Podolyanochka’, ‘Ivanku’, ‘The Grey Cat’ and ‘Plyve Kacha’, which, thanks to intricate reharmonisation and orchestration, have taken on an epic, fantastical character. Alongside the folk songs, the album features Mariia’s new original compositions, including ‘Legend’, ‘In the Clouds’ and the poignant ‘Lullaby for Children’, which help listeners to emotionally reflect on Ukraine’s current pain and hopes.

The project quickly outgrew the confines of a digital release, amassing around 100 million views on social media and forming the basis for international tours from London to Vienna. In addition to the album itself, the first fantasy sheet music book, “The Musical Tales of Ukraine”—illustrated by Oleksandra Dikaya and featuring photographs by Pavlo Yaremak—has become part of this magical universe, allowing musicians around the world to experience this musical fairy tale for themselves. Through ‘Ukrainian Fantasy’, Mariia Yaremak aims to create a sound that is recognisable worldwide, one that affirms the uniqueness of Ukrainian culture and its right to be part of the international artistic landscape.