Konstantin Dankevich

Born Dec. II (22), 1905, in Odessa. Soviet composer, conductor, teacher, public figure in the field of music. People’s Artist of the USSR (1954). Member of the CPSU since 1946.

Dan’kevich graduated from the Odessa Institute of Music and Drama in 1929 in the composition class of V. A. Zolotarev and P. I. Molchanov and the piano class of M. I. Rybitskaia. In 1929 he became a teacher and in 1948 a professor of composition at the Odessa Conservatory (director. 1944–51). In 1953 he became a professor at the Kiev Conservatory. Dan’kevich was president of the board of the Composers’ Union of the Ukraine during 1956–67.

Dan’kevich’s music is closely associated with Ukrainian and Russian folklore. His compositions are marked by heroic enthusiasm and dramatic intensity. His major compositions are the operas Tragic Night (1934), Bogdan Khmet’nitskii (1st version, 1951; 2nd version, 1953), and Nazar Stodolia (1959); the ballet Lileia (after T. G. Shevchenko. 1939); the oratorio Oktiabr’ (1957); two symphonies (1937, 1945); four symphonic poems, including Taras Shevchenko (1939); chamber and choral works; and music for dramatic productions and films.

Dan’kevich was a deputy to the Supreme Soviet of the Ukrainian SSR for the fourth through the sixth convocations. He has been awarded the Order of Lenin and the Order of the Red Banner of Labor.