Yosyp Kyshakevych (October 26, 1872, Leżajsk - April 18, 1953, Lviv) was a Ukrainian composer and choral conductor, priest of the UGCC, and military chaplain.
He was born on October 26, 1872, in the town of Leżajsk (now part of Poland).
He received his primary education in his hometown and then studied at a gymnasium in Przemyśl. At that time, he began composing quartets, waltzes, solo songs, and kolomyikas for the gymnasium choir and orchestra.
In 1888 he graduated from the music school in Przemyśl, and in 1891 he entered Lviv University, Faculty of Philosophy (Theology).
After graduating in 1896, he was ordained a priest and moved to Przemyśl, where he served until 1901. Here, Fr. Joseph Kyshakiewicz wrote many choral compositions, became one of the founders of the Boyan Choral Society in Przemyśl, and was the conductor of this choir. He was also one of those who took part in the organization of the Lviv "Boyan" (1891).
He was a military chaplain from 1901 to 1907 in Yaroslav, in 1907-1908 in Lviv, then in Buda in Dalmatia in 1908-1912, and from 1912 to 1918 in Lviv again. From November 1, 1915, he was a military chaplain with the rank of major (German: feldoberkurat). From 1921 he was a chaplain at the state hospital in Lviv.
He passed away on April 18, 1953. He was buried at Lychakiv Cemetery (field 16).
Awards of Austria-Hungary
Knight's Cross of the Order of Franz Joseph
Spiritual Cross of Merit of the II degree on a white and red ribbon
Military Jubilee Cross
Commemorative cross of 1912/13
Works
The composer's creative heritage is significant: about 200 pieces of sacred music, more than 100 pieces of secular music.
During his service as a military chaplain (1902-1914), he composed sacred music, including "Soar Between Us, O Christ, Soar" (1908), a large cycle of carols, and works on military and patriotic themes. In 1933, for the great feast of the Ukrainian Youth to Christ, Fr. Joseph composed the hymn "O Help Us, O Virgin Mary." He composed several versions of music for the Divine Liturgy.
He was the author of smaller and larger choirs (cantatas with orchestra to the words of Shevchenko) and church choirs. Especially valuable are his later choral miniatures, such as "Pine" and others from the cycle "Lyrical Suite".
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