Dumka's first-ever release on legendary ECM Records label. 18 traditional carols of different eras. Release 7 December 2026.
ECM Records — the world's most influential art-house classical label — announced on 18 January 2026 the release of the album 'Ukrainian Carols Across Centuries' by National Honored Academic Capella 'Dumka' on 7 December 2026 (2 weeks before Christmas). This is Dumka's first-ever ECM release (previously the capella released mostly on state and local labels). Recording was personally produced by Manfred Eicher, ECM founder (since 1969, producer of Sylvestrov, Pärt, Bronze, ECM residents). The album contains 18 traditional Ukrainian carols from the 16th to 21st centuries: I. 'God Eternal' (16th c., authentic chant); II. 'New Joy Came' (17th c.); III. 'Good Evening to You' (18th c., Lysenko arrangement); IV. 'God is Born' (19th c., Stetsenko); V. 'Silent Night' (20th c., Ukrainian translation); VI. 'Shchedryk' (Leontovych, the world's most renowned carol); VII. 'On the Jordan' (1928, Liatoshynskyi); VIII. 'Saint Nicholas' (1991, Skoryk); IX. 'Sun Rises' (2024, Sylvestrov — specially commissioned for the album); X-XVIII — 9 additional carols. Recording took place from August to November 2025 at the Lviv Organ Music Hall (Kalvariyska, acoustically optimized location). All 18 carols recorded in single takes (without overdubs), in live a cappella format. Sound engineer — Markus Heiland (ECM). The album releases in formats: digital streaming, double-CD digipack in letterpress-printed cover with 32-page bilingual booklet (EN+UA), 180g double LP vinyl in gold-foiled version (limited 2000 copies, price 75€).
