Embracing the choir: Alina Pash returns to Ukraine and Kristina Olsen takes up choral composition

Alina Pash was last on the show back in 2021, before the Russian invasion of her country began. At that point, Pash said that she wanted to stay in Ukraine and be part of a strong emerging music scene there. Circumstances changed and Alina is now based in the USA, but she returned home last year with the Belgian-Canadian producer Apashe. Together, they recorded with local choirs in Kyiv, drawing on the traditional music of Ukraine to create something very modern.

Singer-songwriter Kristina Olsen has been a regular guest on the Music Show over the years, playing folk, jazz, and blues. But her latest work sees her taking on a new challenge - choral compositions. With a suite of works inspired by the equinoxes and solstices, Olsen is connecting with local choirs on her latest tour across Australia.

Kristina Olsen's full tour dates are available here

Music heard in this program:

Title: Winter Solstice EveArtist: Kristina Olsen, Angie Doctor, Kim Scanlon, Ed Johnson, Avi JacobsonComposer: Kristina Olsen

Title: KyivArtist: Apashe & Alina PashComposer: Apashe & Alina PashAlbum: Hymns of ResilienceLabel: Majestic Collective

Title: EverestArtist: What So Not ft. Alina PashComposer: Chris Emerson, Alina PashAlbum: Everest singleLabel: Independant release

Title: PortalArtist: Alina Pash & David AugustComposer: Alina PashAlbum: Alina Pash Coven DeluxeLabel: Bad Witch Good Corporation

Title: VoyagerArtist: PJ HarveyComposer: PJ HarveyAlbum: Voyager SingleLabel: Partisan Records

Title: I Still Do Miss You Pierre (live)Artist: Kristina OlsenComposer: Kristina OlsenAlbum: Live performance

Title: Maybe Better (live)Artist: Kristina OlsenComposer: Kristina OlsenAlbum: ChemistryLabel: Take A Break Productions

Title: Never Tear Us ApartArtist: INXSComposer: Michael Hutchence, Andrew FarrisAlbum: KickLabel: WEA

The Music Show is made on Gadigal, Gundungurra, and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country Country

Technical production by Tegan Nicholls and Marcus Hobbs