The World of Mykola Lysenko: Ethnic Identity, Music, and Politics in Nineteenth-Century Ukraine

This book is devoted to the development of Ukrainian musical culture in the second part of the 19th century. The problems of influence and confluence of ethnic identity, music, and politics are discussed in the context of the Ukrainian cultural milieu. The authors chose the figure of the founder of Ukrainian national school of music, Mykola Lysenko, a composer, music folklorist, pianist, pedagogue and prominent public figure. A recognized leader among Eastern European music folklorists and composers, Lysenko derived his creative inspiration from songs of his native land and was an ardent propagator of Ukrainian folk music. The book features unique photos of public, cultural figures, composers, writers, artists, historians and ethnographers. Extensive materials reconstruct a broad panorama of the civic and cultural life of Ukraine at the turn of the 20th century. Much of the material presented is published for the very first time. The book is intended for the general public, as well as scholars and students who are interested in Eastern European, Ukrainian, and Russian studies. Read more