Roman Hurko is a contemporary Ukrainian-Canadian composer, known for his significant contributions to sacred choral music within the Eastern Christian liturgical tradition. Educated at the University of Toronto and later at the Yale Institute of Sacred Music, Hurko has developed a profound compositional voice that brings together his deep reverence for his Ukrainian heritage and his rigorous Western musical training.

Hurko's body of work is especially noted for its embodiment of the Byzantine Rite liturgy, with compositions that are both liturgically correct and musically innovative. His major works include several settings of "The Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom," which stand as the centerpiece of his oeuvre. These settings, the first of which is "Liturgy No. 1," make Hurko one of the few composers to have created such works in the English language, making the Eastern liturgical experience more accessible to a broader audience. Other significant contributions include "Requiem/Panachyda," a poignant piece commemorating the victims of the Ukrainian famine-genocide, and "Vespers," an evening service in the liturgical day that displays his masterful use of choral textures. His "Jerusalem Matins - Myron Fedoriw (Lamentations at the Tomb)" is notable for its reflective interpretation of the Holy Saturday service, resonating deeply with the themes of sorrow and hope. Through his compositions, Roman Hurko has not only preserved the Ukrainian liturgical tradition but has also introduced its beauty to a new generation of listeners worldwide.

Genres

Orthodox Chant

Ukrainian Classical

Latest Release

Jerusalem Matins - Myron Fedoriw (Lamentations at the Tomb)

Roman Hurko

Album - 28 Tracks - Released March 22, 2017