Konstantyn Dankevych

Konstantin Dankevich ( _uk. Констянтин Дaнкевич, translit. "Kostiantyn Dankevych") (December 26 1905 - February 26 1984) was an eminent Ukrainian composer and musical teacher.

Biography

Konstantin Dankevich was born in Odessa, Ukraine (then the Russian Empire). He studied at the Odessa Conservatory with Zolotarev and Nikolai Vilinsky and graduated in 1929. He was made the director of Songs and Dance of the Red Army Choir in Tbilisi. Konstantin wrote his first symphony in 1937. Two years later he wrote his most popular score, the ballet "Lileya".

Dankevich taught composition at the Odessa Conservatory starting from 1944. In 1953, he was promoted to the staff of the Kyiv Conservatory. Dankevich used many Ukrainian and Russian Folk motifs. One of his notable works was his opera "Bogdan Khmelnitsky" (written January 29 1951), which was crtitisized for political reasons for its unsuitable music and libretto. After he revised it, it accepted better critiscism in Russia.

When teaching he often wore two pairs of socks due to his superstitions.

In 1960, he wrote the opera "Nazar Stodolya". Other works include "Poem of Ukraine", several overtures and patriotic courses. In 1959, a monograph was published on him in Kyiv.

Konstantin Dankevich died on February 26 1984 in Kyiv, Ukraine.

External links

* [http://www.ukrainianmusicians.com/html/musicians-d.html entry from Ukrainian musician directory]