List of Ukrainian composers


This is a list of Ukrainian composers of classical music who were either born on the territory of modern-day Ukraine or were ethnically Ukrainian.

List by historic periods

Early Period (to end of 18th century)

The composers in this period correspond roughly to the time period of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, Ukrainian Cossack self-governance, such as the Zaporizhian Sich and the Cossack Hetmanate. This period includes western-educated composers whose music is similar in style to that of their Western European contemporaries.
ComposerLife SpanCity of BirthSignificant Works
Sebastian z Felsztyna1480/1490? – after 1543Felsztyn three motets
Marcin Leopolita1537–1584LvivMissa paschalis
Mykola Dyletsky1630–1690KyivSacred choral concerti
Tymofiy Bilohradskyca. 1710–ca. 1782Cherkasy ?Famous lutenist who worked throughout Europe
Hryhoriy Skovoroda1722–1794Chornukhy, Kyiv GovernorateLiturgical music
Maksym Berezovsky1745–1777Hlukhiv ?Sacred choral concerti. First Ukrainian to compose an opera, symphony, and violin sonata
Dmytro Bortnyansky1751–1825HlukhivSacred choral concerti, operas, symphonies, piano sonatas
Artem Vedel1767–1808KyivSacred choral concerti

Pre-Revolutionary Period (19th century – 1910s)

Composers in this correspond to the period in Ukrainian history when much of the current territory of the country was controlled by the Russian Empire, and another part was under Austro-Hungarian rule. This period was marked a Ukrainian cultural revival. For example, Semen Hulak-Artemovsky wrote the first Ukrainian-language opera. Mykola Lysenko began the Ukrainian nationalist school of music.
ComposerLife SpanCity of BirthSignificant Works
Mykola Markevych1804–1860Dunaiets
Semen Hulak-Artemovsky1813–1873HorodyshcheFirst Ukrainian-language opera
Mykhaylo Verbytsky1815–1870LemkivshchynaUkraine national anthem
Petro Nishchynsky1832–1896Nemenka, Vinnytska Oblast
Sydir Vorobkevych1836–1903ChernivtsiSacred music
Mykola Lysenko1842–1912Poltava oblast"Father of Ukrainian music". Founder of Ukrainian nationalist school of music
Mykola Arkas1853–1909Mykolaiv

Trans-Revolutionary Period (late 19th century – 1939)

Composers in this period lived during a transitional time corresponding to the 1905 Revolution, World War I, 1917 Revolution, and the establishment of the Ukrainian People's Republic, followed by the establishment of Soviet Ukraine. Many composers during this period were the successors Mykola Lysenko and the nationalist school of music. For example, Mykola Leontovych's music is highly based on the incorporation of Ukrainian folk themes.
ComposerLife SpanCity of BirthSignificant Works
Serhiy Bortkevych1877–1952Kharkiv2 Symphonies, 3 Piano concertos, Violin Concero, Cello Concerto etc.
Filaret Kolessa1871–1947Lviv oblastUkrainian ethnographic musicology
Reinhold Glière1875–1956KyivNumerous orchestral works, concertos, ballets, vocal works
Davyd Novakivsky1877–1921MalynSynagogue music, choral, organ, and orchestral works
Kyrylo Stetsenko1882–1922Cherkashchyna
Mykola Leontovych1877–1921Selevyntsi Shchedryk which eventually became Carol of the Bells
Yakiv Stepovy1883–1921Kharkiv
Mykola Roslavets1881–1944Dushatyn, ChernihivOrchestral and chamber atonal works, Known as Ukrainian Schoenberg
Viktor Kosenko1896–1938St. PetersburgPiano concerti, symphonies, solo piano music
Oleksandr Koshyts1875–1944Romashky, near KyivSacred music, collecting and arranging folk songs
Igor Stravinsky1882–1971St. PetersburgSee: List of compositions by Igor Stravinsky

Soviet Period (1922–1990)

Although not all composers during this period were born in Ukrainian SSR, all were either born in the area or lived much of their adult life in the Ukrainian SSR.
ComposerLife SpanCity of BirthSignificant Works
Vasyl Barvinsky1888–1963Ternopil
Mykola Vilinsky1888–1956Holta, Ananiev district
Levko Revutsky1889–1977Irzhavets, Pryluky
Serhiy Prokofiev1891–1953KrasneSee: List of compositions by Serhiy Prokofiev
Mykhailo Haivoronsky1892–1949Zalischyky
Pylyp Kozytsky1893–1960Letychivka, Cherkasy Oblast
Borys Lyatoshynsky1895–1968Zhytomyr
Stanyslav Lyudkevych1879–1979Yaroslav
Stefania Turkewich1898–1977LvivHer opera "Mavka" is based on Lesia Ukrainka’s Forest Song
Kostyantyn Dankevych1905–1984Odesa
Vitaliy Serhiyovich Hubarenko1934–2000Kharkiv
Yuly Meytus1903–1997Yelisavetgrad
Heorhiy Maiboroda1913–1992Kremenchuk
Ihor Markevych1912–1983Kyiv
Dmytro Klebanov1907–1987Kharkiv
Platon Maiboroda1918–1989Pelekhivshchyna
Ihor Shamo1925–1982Kyiv

Modern period (1990–present)

Composers in this period live during the time after the independence of Ukraine.
ComposerLife SpanCity of BirthSignificant Works
Myroslav Skoryk1938–LvivOperas, symphony, string quartets, music solo instruments such as piano
Oleksandr Bilash1931–2003Hradizhsk, Poltava OblastComposer of popular songs, operas, ballads, oratorios, and film music
Volodymyr Ivasyuk1949–1979KitsmanSongs: Chervona Ruta, Vodohrai
Valentyn Sylvestrov1937–KyivSeven symphonies, three piano sonatas, piano pieces, chamber music, vocal works
Bohdana Frolyak1968–VydynivSee: Works
Hanna Havrylets1958–TernopilSee: Works
Virko Baley1938–RadekhivSymphony No. 1: Sacred Monuments, Dreamtime for chamber ensemble, Emily Dickinson Songbooks
Roman Yakub1958–VinnytsiaPhonopolis for String Orchestra, Castalian Dances for chamber ensemble
Oleksandr Shchetynsky1960–KharkivAnnunciation, chamber opera
Yulia Homelska1964–Odesa"The Riot" for wind symphony orchestra, "Ukraine Forever" symphony, "Winter pastoral" for choir
Roman Hurko1962–TorontoThree Liturgies, Requiem for Victims of Chernobyl, Vespers
Svitlana Azarova1976–Izmail, OdessaChronometer for Piano, Asiope for chamber ensemble
Mykola Suk1945–Kyiv
Oleksandr Krasotov1936–2007OdesaSymphony, chamber, vocal music
Yuriy Oliynyk1931–TernopilConcertos for bandura and orchestra, music for solo bandura, piano, voice
Yevhen Stankovych1942–SvaliavaOrchestral, chamber, film music
Vlad DeBriansky1972–KalushJazz music
Mykola Hirshevych Kapustin1937–HorlivkaJazz music
Oleksandr Shymko1977–BorshchivOrchestral, chamber,electronic, theater music