Mykola Kolessa, patriarch of Ukrainian music, dies

As The Weekly, was preparing to go to press, word came from family members in the United States that Mykola Kolessa, patriarch of Ukrainian music, died in Lviv on Thursday, June 8. He was 102.

The world-renowned composer, conductor and educator, was born in the Lviv region on December 6, 1903. He was the son of Filaret Kolessa, noted musicologist, folklorist and composer.

Mykola Kolessa was a laureate of Ukraine's Shevchenko State Prize and recipient of the Hero of Ukraine Award. He will be remembered for his inestimable contributions to Ukrainian culture and as the founder of the Ukrainian conducting school.

Copyright © The Ukrainian Weekly, June 11, 2006, No. 24, Vol. LXXIV

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