Chuhayster

A jazz/classical fusion piece based on Ukrainian folklore
By Roman Baranskiy

About the Piece

Chuhayster is the first work in an ongoing musical cycle inspired by Ukrainian myth. It’s based on the Carpathian forest spirit known for dancing to chase off evil — a figure both wild and protective, chaotic and rhythmic.

The piece brings together string quartet, double bass, and drum set in a hybrid language that blends structure with freedom. Traditional form, jazz influence, and folk energy collide — not as pastiche, but as a contemporary expression of something deeply personal and culturally rooted.

The Project

This is the first in a six-part cycle exploring Ukrainian folk characters not as museum pieces, but as living symbols — of memory, transformation, and resistance. Each piece focuses on a different figure or archetype.

The second work, Mavka, is currently in development. Future pieces will explore characters drawn from Hutsul and Carpathian lore, eventually culminating in a live performance cycle and a fundraising campaign supporting Ukrainian children affected by the war.

Credits

Performed by Friction Quartet, Scott Amendola (drums), Matt Muntz (bass), and Jessica Folson (violin)
Commissioned by 3232 Music
Produced by Peter Bransten
Engineered by Zach Miley, mastered by Dave Darlington