The Ukrainian nation is famous for its musicality. One could see the first musicians of Kyivian Rus' in the frescos of Saint Sofia's- Cathedral. Archeological researches stated that first musical instruments were made of mammoth ivory. The most widespread musical instrument of the Old Rus' was psaltery. The psaltery was used to accompany songs that were narrating about brave princes and bodyguards.
The psalterymen werewelcomed for the family holidays. During the Mongol-Tatar invasion the development of Ukrainian musical culture was stopped.The Ukrainian folk songs inspired famous composers in their work. One can hear the spiritual music of Ukrainian composers (D.
Bortniansky, M. Berezovsky, A. Vedel) in different churches of the world. In S.
Hulak-Artemovsky's and M. Lysenko's operas Ukrainian character and spirit, tender lyrics and patriotism are presented. The most famous among the Ukrainian musical companies are State Academical capella "Dumka" and State Academical National Choir of G. Veryovka, State Academical Ensemble of folk dance of P. Virsky. The Ukrainian folk songs are widespread in the world.
Let us remember the P. Mayboroda's "Pisnya pro rushnyk". Over the centuries the Ukrainian people have created music. Music art of Ukraine is very rich, it reflects our life, our ideas and emotions. In their folk songs the Ukrainian people showed their heroic past connected with the defence of the Motherland , the struggle for national freedom. Bandura, kobza and sopilka are national musical instruments which are often played at Ukrainian festivities.
Now Ukraine has 6 opera houses, 3 operettas, 10 state philarmonic societies, dozen of folk choirs, 5 higher music schools.Ukraine actively participates in the world’s cultural progress. The Ukrainian orchestras, folk-music performers, pop and opera singers visited different countries every year and are warmly received abroad. The best known soloists are Dmitro Gnatyuk, Anatoly Solovyanenko, Yevgenia Miroshnichenko. The Ukrainian national composer school is connected with the name of Mikola Lysenko, pianist, conductor and folklorist who developed the traditions of the famous Ukrainian composers, S.
Gulak-Artemovsky and P. Sokalsky.
