Mykola Kolessa

Who was Mykola Kolessa?

Mykola Kolessa was a prominent Ukrainian composer and conductor, born in the village of Sambir near Lviv and died in Lviv.

His father Filaret was a prominent Ukrainian ethnomusicologist and composer and his cousin was the celebrated pianist Lubka Kolessa. He studied in Prague under Vítězslav Novák and Otakar Ostrčil, and taught at Lviv Conservatory.

His works include two symphonies, symphonic variations, a 'Ukrainian Suite', all for orchestra, and 'In the Mountains' for string orchestra, and a number of chamber and incidental works as well as some song cycles. His composition style was tonal and conservative and has been linkened to that of Alexander Glazunov.

As a conductor he worked with world famous ensembles like the NRCU Symphony Orchestra.