I grew up in a very large family of musicians. By this, I mean, everyone played an instrument. It was a pre-requisite coming from an Eastern European family. My dad played the accordion, guitar, and when no other instrument was around he could produce orchestral sounds on spoons or a washboard. I started playing the piano at age four on my Grandmother’s organ. By age five my dad bought me a piano.
Our family’s love of music came from a collective appreciation of the various genres. Spending time at my cousins home, in the basement, there was a whole band set up including microphones and we’d play a variety of songs from Ukraine all the way to Deep Purple’s “Smoke on the Water.”
Our cabin on the lake produced yet again another montage of music. We would set out on our pontoon boat that my dad made and play violins floating past other cabins, waving and serenading everyone on their beach.
My sons played an eclectic mix of instruments including drums, guitar, banjo, saxophone and clarinet. I wanted to foster that same appreciation of music that I grew up with at an early age. I would play Mozart, Beethoven, Bach and other classical pieces in a cassette player at bedtime. I truly believed it would stimulate their mathematical and creative prowesses.
Incorporating music in a family deepens the connection of family bonds and with music itself. Singing and dancing, creating your own music has a profound impact on family dynamics. At the age of 12 I wrote a song for my dad, who was a potash miner. I rewrote a famous song by Loretta Lynn, “Coal Miner’s Daughter.” I titled it, “Potash Miner’s Daughter.” My dad came home from work one afternoon and I sat him down to play a song I wrote specially for him. It was emotional to say the least.
Ukrainian music is diverse and has a multiplicity of elements. The influences of music that make it unique are a result of the Slavic people mainly inhabiting the countries from Central Europe, Eastern Europe, Southern Europe, and Northern Europe with minorities in the Baltic States and Central Asia. There is also a diaspora of Slavic people in North America, Western Europe, and Northern Europe.
Ukraine has produced famous musicians and composers. Mykola Lysenko was known as the “father of Ukrainian music” in the late nineteenth century. Borys Lyatoshynsky was known as the “father of twentieth century music.” The evolution of A cappella was associated with Dmitry Bortniansky. Composers such as Myroslav Skoryk and Valentyn Sylvestrov became distinguished around the world.
Styles of Ukrainian music are numerous. The unique sounds of Folk music are characterized by the wide use of minor keys. Vocals are marked by solos and A cappella, while instrumental music includes traditional instruments accompanied by traditional dances. Classical music and composers were influenced by Ukrainian folk tunes and texts. Baroque music was associated with those of a higher education and nobility. Modern day pop music has its influence from the West and became popular since Ukraine gained independence on August 24, 1991. Ukrainian music contributed to an eclectic and diverse community that became a unique cultural experience shared with the world.
Ukrainian music academies became world class. The oldest and first professional academy was in 1738 when Ukraine was part of the Russian Empire. The Hlukhiv Music Academy taught students to play the Violin and Bandura. They also learned to sing. The R. Glier Kyiv Institute of Music is the second oldest Ukrainian music conservatory in Kyiv. Later in the twentieth century became two institutions known as the Gliere Music College and the Kyiv Conservatory. Music academies branched out to many part of Ukraine and became an important part of Ukrainian culture and history.
Enjoying music and connecting with others establishes a foundation where creativity, relationality, and liveability intersect.
Check my website for upcoming notations on The History of Ukrainian Music.
Leave a Reply