Mykola Lysenko

Mykola Vitaliiovych Lysenko (Ukrainian: Микола Віталійович Лисенко, October 22 [O.S. October 3] 1842 – November 6 [O.S. October 24] 1912) was a Ukrainian composer, pianist, conductor and ethnomusicologist. Lysenko was born in Hrynky, Kremenchuk Povit, Poltava Governorate, the son of Vitaliy Romanovich Lysenko (Ukrainian: Віталій Романович Лисенко). From childhood he was very interested in the folksongs of Ukrainian peasants and by the poetry of T... more

Mykola Vitaliiovych Lysenko (Ukrainian: Микола Віталійович Лисенко, October 22 [O.S. October 3] 1842 – November 6 [O.S. October 24] 1912) was a Ukrainian composer, pianist, conductor and ethnomusicologist. Lysenko was born in Hrynky, Kremenchuk Povit, Poltava Governorate, the son of Vitaliy Romanovich Lysenko (Ukrainian: Віталій Романович Лисенко). From childhood he was very interested in the folksongs of Ukrainian peasants and by the poetry of Taras Shevchenko. When Shevchenko's body was brought to Ukraine after his death in 1861, Lysenko was a pallbearer. During his time at Kiev University, Lysenko dedicated himself to collecting and arranging Ukrainian folksongs, which were published in seven volumes. One of his principal sources was the kobzar Ostap Veresai (after whom Lysenko later named his son). Lysenko initially studied Biology at the Kharkiv University, studying music privately. On a scholarship given to him by the Russian Imperial Music Society he pursued further... less