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Michael KrechkoSoviet Ukrainian choral conductor and composer.
Date of Birth: 05.09.1925
Country:  Ukraine |
Content:
Early Life
Mikhail Kretško was born on September 5, 1925, in the village of Poroshkovo, then part of Austro-Hungary. His childhood was marked by poverty and the loss of his father at a young age. His mother worked as a domestic servant to support the family. Despite these challenges, Kretško excelled academically from an early age.
Education and Musical Training
Kretško's musical talents were evident from a young age. He attended the Uzhhorod Theological Seminary, where he learned to play the violin and piano and sang in the choir. In 1954, he graduated from the Kyiv Conservatory, studying choral conducting under Eleonora Pavlovna Skripchinskaya and vocal performance under Ivan Sergeevich Patorzhinsky.
Artistic Career
After graduating, Kretško established himself as a renowned conductor and composer. He was known for his innovative interpretations and his profound understanding of Ukrainian folk music. He published numerous monographs and articles on choral music and arranged Ukrainian народные песни.
Achievements and Recognition
Kretško achieved significant recognition for his work. In 1960, he was honored with the title of People's Artist of the Ukrainian SSR. He was a member of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union from 1957. His talent reached far beyond the borders of Ukraine, as he toured extensively with his choirs throughout Europe and Asia.
Tragic End
Kretško's life was cut short in a tragic turn of events. On February 25, 1996, he died in Lutsk while serving as the jury chairperson of the L. Ukrainka International Choir Competition. He was laid to rest in the Baikove Cemetery in Kyiv.
Legacy
Mikhail Kretško's legacy lives on through his music and the countless students he inspired. His daughter, Natalia Kretško, is the artistic director and conductor of the ANIMA Chamber Choir of the Kyiv National University of Culture and Arts. Kretško's pioneering work in choral music continues to shape the Ukrainian choral tradition.
