The Musical Tales of Ukraine

This is Ukraine’s first fantasy piano sheet music book, which has become the physical embodiment of the ‘Ukrainian Fantasy’ universe. The publication was born out of a deep desire among listeners not only to hear, but also to experience first-hand the magic of Ukrainian legends through sound. The book aims to introduce the international public to Ukrainian traditions and to help Ukrainians living abroad maintain a connection with their native culture.

The collection features 20 unique arrangements for solo piano. It is a cohesive musical journey in which archaic folk motifs (‘Shchedryk’, ‘Podolyanochka’, ‘Ivanku’, ‘The Grey Cat’) are interwoven with new original compositions by Mariia Yaremak, such as ‘Legend’ and ‘In the Clouds’. Each composition in the book is an attempt to reinterpret familiar mythical figures – the mavkas, poterchats and chugaystry – through a contemporary cinematic language.

The publication is the result of Mariia’s collaboration with the renowned artist Oleksandra Dikaya, whose fairy-tale illustrations complement the musical canvas, and photographer Pavlo Yaremak, who has captured the magical atmosphere of the Carpathians on the book’s pages. Thanks to this combination, the sheet music is transformed into a book of stories that can be not only played but also experienced visually.

The book’s content has been adapted to be relevant both for those just starting out on their musical journey and for professional performers seeking a new repertoire with a contemporary Ukrainian sound.