Mykola Lysenko
Discover the quintessential figure in Ukrainian music and prominent composer whose musical compositions embody the soul of his homeland's cultural heritage
Mykola Lysenko by Slukh.MediaCFC Big Ideas in association with the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy
Lysenko is often called a founder of the national Ukrainian composer’s school. The greatness of his style lies in a harmonic fusion of European spirit and national roots.
Since the dawn of his musical career, Mykola Lysenko had a deep interest in Ukrainian culture, collecting folk songs, creating his arrangements of them, and publishing many such collections to preserve, popularize, and revive Ukrainian heritage. Folk motives make up an important part of many of the composer's musical pieces.
Mykola Lysenko wrote 10 operas, laying the foundation for the further development of the Ukrainian classical scene. Among the most popular ones is Taras Bulba, based on Mykola Hohol's story. It is considered to be one of the greatest pieces of Ukrainian opera music.
Lysenko was a prolific composer of chamber-vocal works, choral works, symphonic works, and chamber-instrumental works. In all, he wrote 120 chamber-vocal works, 40 choral works, and 60 piano works. He also recorded over 1,500 Ukrainian folk songs and performed over 500 of their arrangements.
Mykola Lysenko by Mykola Lysenko (1842-1912). The Father of Ukrainian Music by Georg Predota for InterludeCFC Big Ideas in association with the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy
Besides his career as a composer, Lysenko was an active public figure and a teacher. He contributed to opening a musical drama school in Kyiv in 1904 and there introduced folk instruments classes.
The teachers and alumni of the musical drama school include the next generation's most prominent representatives of Ukrainian musical culture. Among them are composers Levko Revutsky, Kyrylo Stetsenko, actors Oleksiy Vatulia, Boris Romanitsky, choreographer Vasyl Verkhovynets, choir conductor Oleksandr Koshits, and others. Mykola Lysenko taught at the school up until his death in 1912.
Lesya Ukrainka by A group of Ukrainian writers during the unveiling of Ivan Kotliarevsky monument in Poltava (1903). Sitting (left to right): M. Kotsiubynsky, V. Stefanyk, L. Ukrainka, H. Khotkevych, V. Samiilenko. Standing: O. Pchilka, M. Starytsky. Internet Encyclopedia of Ukraine. ©2001 All Rights Reserved. Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies.CFC Big Ideas in association with the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy
The composer was a member of the Ukrainian intelligentsia that included the most significant cultural figures of the time, such as great writers Lesya Ukrayinka, Vasyl Stefanyk, Mykhailo Starytsky, and others. The latter was also Lysenko's third cousin.
Mykola Lysenko by Slukh.MediaCFC Big Ideas in association with the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy
Lysenko was also involved in founding the choir community Boian, United Committee for Constructing the Taras Shevchenko Monument, and a civic political organization – Kyiv Ukrainian Club. Unfortunately, the emergence of the above was followed by a tragic response by authorities.
Lysenko had an invaluable impact on Ukrainian music and culture, shaping its national character. Today, his art helps Ukrainians keep their spirit up in times of struggle. Lysenko's music for the poem by Oleksandr Konysky is a powerful song also known as Prayer for Ukraine.
Text: based on text by Kateryna Nosko
Original text from the album of the Prominent Ukrainians project, published jointly by Pictoric Illustrators Club, Pavlo Gudimov Ya Gallery Art Center, Artbook Publishing House and Ukraine Crisis Media Center.
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