Belarusian Music

I have posted up some extracts from two operas by Yauhen Tsikotsky (Tikotsky in Russian) - "Alesia, Maiden of Polesia" and "Mikhas Padgorny".

From various wikipedia, via google-translate:

Evgeny Karlovich Tikotsky (December 26, 1893, St. Petersburg - November 23, 1970) - Belarusian composer, People's Artist of the Byelorussian SSR (1953), People's Artist of the USSR (1955).

After demobilization in 1920 he lived in Bobruisk, since 1934 - in Minsk. He wrote the music for the Belarusian Radio, taught at the music school. After World War II Tikotsky led the Belarusian Philharmonic, then for 13 years as head of the Union of Composers of the BSSR. One of the founders of the Belarusian Opera and Symphony in Byelorussia. In the 1970s, when the city authorities destroyed the historic center of Minsk, E. Tikotsky was one of the most active defenders of the architectural heritage. Father of literary figure M.E. Tikotskogo.

In his honour is named a street in Minsk. He was a People's Artist of the Byelorussian SSR.


Evgeny Karlovich Tikotsky (Belarus Yaўgen Karlavіch Tsіkotskі; 1893-1970.) - Belarusian Soviet composer, and teacher. People's Artist of the USSR (1955).

Eugene Tikotsky born 14 (26) December 1893 (according to other sources - 13 (25) December 1893) in St. Petersburg in a noble family of Captain 1st rank (from 1899 Rear-Admiral, then vice-admiral retired) the commander of the cruiser "Africa" battleships "Hanko" and "Poltava", the first mayor of Nikolaev (1900-02), then commander of the Baltic fleet mine detachment Tikotskogo Karl Mikhailovich (1845-after 1917). Father of the composer played the cello and flute.

In 1911 he graduated from the Tsarskoye Selo real school of Emperor Nicholas II. He entered the natural separation of the Psychoneurological Institute in St. Petersburg, at the same time engaging in private musical courses.

Music education was limited to two years of private piano lessons and music theory at the C-Volkova Bonch-compositions studied independently. He began to compose at the age of 14 years, in consultation with his friend VM Deshevov, who studied at the St. Petersburg Conservatory.

In 1915 he went to the front, a member of the 1st World War (1914-1918). In 1919-1924 he served in the Red Army. He participated in the liberation of Belarus from the White Poles.

After the service in 1924 remained in Bobruisk, where entirely devoted himself to music, educational and creative activities. Since 1927 he taught at the music school. The first major work - Symphony (1927), written with Belarusian folk and revolutionary fact became one of the first works in this genre in the history of Belarusian music.

Since 1934, lived in Minsk, he taught at the School of Music, the composer worked on the Belarusian Radio. During this period, he wrote the music for a number of theatrical productions in Minsk. In 1939 he wrote one of the most famous of his works - the opera "Mihas Padgorny" (one of the first operas in the history of Belarus), in 1943 - another well-known patriotic opera - "Alesya, Maiden of Polesia".

During the Great Patriotic War, was evacuated first in Ufa, then in Gorky.

On his return to Belarus Tikotsky he worked as the artistic director of the Belarusian State Philharmonic (1944-1951), taught at the music school ten-year.

Member of the SC of the USSR since 1932, with the same time - a board member of the UK BSSR. Since 1948 - Member of the Board of the USSR SC. In 1950-1963 years - the chairman of the board SC BSSR.

Member of the CPSU (b) since 1948. BC Deputy Byelorussian SSR 4-5-th convocation.

Died November 24 (according to other sources - 23 November), 1970. Buried in Minsk in the Eastern Cemetery.

Awards and titles
People's Artist of the Byelorussian SSR (1953)
People's Artist of the USSR (1955)
BSSR State Prize (1968)
Order of Lenin (1944)
Two Orders of Red Banner of Labor (1940, 1948)
Order "Badge of Honor" (1964)
Medals
Creativity:
One of the founders of the Belarusian composer school. His works, written in the classical and romantic way to experience strong influence of folk motifs. One of the first Belarusian composers of opera and symphony, played an important role in the development of the Belarusian musical culture of the XX century.