Viktor Omelyanovych Hutsal (born January 2, 1944, Trebukhivtsi) is a conductor, composer, professor, People's Artist of Ukraine, winner of the Taras Shevchenko State Prize (1992), artistic director of the National Academic Orchestra of Folk Instruments of Ukraine.
He was born on January 2, 1944, in the village of Trebukhivtsi, Letychiv district, Khmelnytskyi region. In 1961, he graduated from the Krushelnytska Special Music School, and in 1966 from the Kyiv Conservatory (with Mark Helis). He worked as an orchestra artist in the Hryhorii Veriovka Folk Choir (1966-1969), from 1969 he was the conductor of the Kyiv Orchestra of Ukrainian Folk Instruments, from 1979-1984 he was the conductor of the Orchestra of Folk Instruments of the Republican Radio and Television, and from 1984 he was the artistic director of the National Orchestra of Folk Instruments of Ukraine.
From 1979-1996, he was a lecturer at the Tchaikovsky Kyiv State Conservatory (now the Petro Tchaikovsky National Music Academy of Ukraine), professor (since 1996), founder of the Department of Bandura and Kobza Art at the National University of Culture and Arts, secretary of the All-Ukrainian Music Union, chairman of the Association of Folk Instrumental Genre of Ukraine, co-chairman of the New Names of Ukraine competition of the Ukrainian Cultural Foundation.
With the direct participation of V. Hutsal as a conductor, arranger and composer, a large database of audio recordings was created, including stock recordings of the State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company of Ukraine with the participation of the National Orchestra of Folk Instruments of Ukraine, soloists of the National Opera of Ukraine, and other famous vocalists.
Awards.
Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise, IV class (January 22, 2019) - for significant personal contribution to state-building, strengthening national security, socio-economic, scientific, technical, cultural and educational development of the Ukrainian state, significant labor achievements, many years of conscientious work
The Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise, V degree (August 23, 2011) - for significant personal contribution to the establishment of Ukraine's independence, strengthening its sovereignty and international authority, merits in state-building, socio-economic, scientific, technical, cultural and educational activities, conscientious and impeccable service to the Ukrainian people
Order of Merit, I class (August 20, 2007) - for significant personal contribution to the socio-economic and cultural development of the Ukrainian state, significant labor achievements and on the occasion of the 16th anniversary of Ukraine's independence
Order of Merit, II class (2004)
Order of Merit, III class (April 7, 2000) - for significant personal contribution to the development of national musical art, high professionalism
Musicological works
1978 - The orchestra of Ukrainian folk instruments is founded
1981 - Repertoire collection for the ensemble of three musicians
1982 - Repertoire collection for the ensemble of pipers
1984 - Pieces for the orchestra of folk instruments
1986 - Ukrainian folk songs
1988 - Instrumentation for an orchestra of folk instruments
1995 - Zaporizhzhia march
Musical works
Author of more than 500 orchestrations, arrangements and original compositions, the popularity of which has long crossed the borders of Ukraine, including the business card of the NAO NIU - "Zaporizhzhia March" - written in 1969.
Music for films - "The Missing Letter", "Vasylchenko", "Oh, Don't Go, Hrytsia", "Chumatsky Humoresques", "Folk Pictures", "Pleasant Acquaintances", author of the scripts "Violin", "Bandura", "Sopilka".
His compositions include Zaporizhzhia March, Dance Rhythms, Vesnianka, Festive March, orchestration of the Zaporizhzhia March by M. Lysenko and many others.
Public activity
In August 2011, the so-called "letter of ten" initiated by P. Kononenko was published - a letter of Ukrainian intellectuals in support of the policy of the then President Viktor Yanukovych. One of the ten signatories was Viktor Hutsal.
