Ukrainian choir conductor, long-term regent of the Metropolitan Choir of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, composer. Honored Artist of Ukraine (2002).
Biography
He was born on April 1, 1927 in the Proskuryn farm near the village of Kybyns of Myrhorod district, Poltava region in a working-class family. At the age of 14, he began to sing on the choir of the St. Michael Orthodox Church in his native village. Experienced from the dismemberment of relatives, the Holodomor and the war hardships had an impact on the formation of anti-Soviet views: for example, for refusing to join the Komsomol, the young man was given a certificate with unsatisfactory grades instead of a silver medal. In the future, a conscious protest against the ruling regime automatically identified the future figure as "unhopeful" and gave rise to political harassment.
In 1947, he became a student at the Kyiv Polytechnic Institute, but soon withdrew his documents due to ideological conflicts. 1948–52 — studied at the Kyiv Theological Seminary, which was then located in the stylobate of St. Andrew's Cathedral. Received regent practice in the church choirs of Kyiv (Volodymyr and St. Andrew's Cathedrals, Khrestovozdvizhensky Church in Podil, Trinity Church (on the former Republican Church, demolished in the 1960s), Myrhorod (Assumption Cathedral) and Poltava (Cemetery Church in honor of All Saints). In the spring In 1952, on the denunciation of a fellow group member, he was arrested and charged with "anti-Soviet propaganda and agitation using nationalistic and religious superstitions". For three and a half years, he served his sentence in the Lukyaniv colony and a correctional camp on the Unzha River (now Nizhny Novgorod Oblast, RF). amateur choir and orchestra of Unzh-LAG, received the title of highly qualified watchmaker-restorer.
After his release in 1955, he led the choirs of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra and the Holy Ascension Church in Demiivka; the following year — he completed his studies at the Odessa Theological Seminary, served as an assistant to the regent of the Assumption Cathedral in Odessa.
In connection with the impossibility of obtaining a residence permit, he changed his place of residence 14 times over the course of 20 years. Before the start of Khrushchev's anti-religious campaign, he was regent for some time in Shepetivka and Smila (temples in honor of the Intercession of the Mother of God). In 1961, he graduated in absentia from the theoretical department of the Moscow National University of Culture, in 1971 - the Kharkiv State Institute of Culture (conducting class - Yevmen Marykivskyi), interned at the "Dumka" chapel (director - Mykhailo Krechko).
From 1962 to 1968, he was forced to leave the regent's activities and officially work as a choirmaster of the Myrhorod amateur choir (which received the title of folk choir in 1965). He also led the folk choir of the "Myrhorod" sanatorium (1968–1969), the women's ensemble "Rainbow" of the Poltava Philharmonic (1969–1970), the workshop choir of the "Motor Sich" plant in Zaporizhia (1970). The amateur choir of the F.I. Kotlov Palace of Culture and the song and dance ensemble of the Kremenchuk Garrison House of Officers, with whom the artist worked in 1971–1975, performed touring and concert-educational activities. In particular, the choir of the Kryukiv Carriage Works performed in Bulgaria (Borovets and Shipka, 1972), the military ensemble - in the Russian Federation (tour of the so-called "golden ring", 1975).
Mykhailo Lytvynenko gained recognition as the leader of the Metropolitan Choir of the UOC — Volodymyr Cathedral (1975—1992) and Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra (1992—2008). For his significant contribution to the development of choral culture, he was the first church regent in the territory of the former USSR to be awarded the honorary title of Honored Artist of Ukraine (2002). Cavalier of church awards (in particular, the Order of the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Prince Volodymyr of three degrees). Articles in national encyclopedic publications, Volodymyr Glushko's book of memoirs "Poyu Bogu moye..." (2001), dissertation research (2017), a number of publications in scientific, confessional, cultural-analytical and newspaper periodicals are dedicated to him.
He retired in 2009. In recent years, he served as a member of the fraternal choir of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra (the regent is Archimandrite Polycarp (Linenko)).
He died in Kyiv on May 30, 2020.
Head of the Metropolitan Choir of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church
Mykhailo Lytvynenko led the Kyiv Metropolitan Choir of the UOC for 33 years. Taking into account the real circumstances of the atheist era, in particular the specific function of this group, which was limited to the service of religious services and events exclusively within the boundaries of a religious institution, despite everything, the artist managed to form a singing center and make a significant contribution to the revival of the national spiritual heritage. From the date of the celebration of the Millennium of the Baptism of Russia (June-July 1988), the choir performed on the leading concert stages of the capital, made studio recordings, and participated in the filming of movies. "Lytvynenko Art Choir" (that's what the collective was called in parish circles) was one of the first in the post-Soviet period to represent Ukrainian spiritual music abroad: in Finland (Turku and Tampere, 1990) and Germany (Kamen-Geeren, 1994 ; Hannover, Munich, Augsburg, Stuttgart, 1995).
Activities of the artist with the choirof the Kyiv Metropolitanate significantly influenced the development of national culture as a whole. At various times, under his direction, people's artist of the Ukrainian SSR Petro Bilynnyk, choirmaster of the National Opera Oleksandr Tarasenko, composer and regent of the KDAiS choir Archimandrite Roman (Pidlubnyak), scientist and art critic Liliya Tereshchenko-Kaidan, head of the Patriarchal Choir of the UOC KP Veronika Matvienko, regent of the children's of the choir of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra Tetiana Voytsekhovska.
Mykhailo Lytvynenko is the compiler of one of the largest collections of scores of liturgical works in the Soviet Union, which was kept in the Volodymyr Cathedral until 1992.
He provided consultations and sheet music to choir conductors (Pavlo Muravskyi, Yevhen Savchuk, Mstislav Yurchenko), scientists (Tetyana Husarchuk, Olena Nemkovich), composers of liturgical music (Mykola Tsololo), presenters of art TV and radio programs (Svitlana Artemenko, Nelya Danylenko), and also to regents of church choirs.
Took an active part in cultural and educational events dedicated to the problems of liturgical singing. He gave interviews in the press and mass media.
Family
He had two sons: Vasyl Mykhailovych Lytvynenko and Yury Mykhailovych Lytvynenko.
Awards
Honored Artist of Ukraine (2002);
Order of Prince Volodymyr: 3rd class. (1977), 2 Art. (2002), Article 1. (2017);
Order of Saint Nestor the Chronicler - 2nd century (1997);
"Christmas 2000" - 1 st. (2000);
Saints Anthony and Theodosius - 2nd century. (2007);
Saint Serhiy of Radonezh - 2 st. (2009).
Writings
He is the author of about 20 liturgical compositions. Among the most famous are "My soul magnifies the Lord", "Praise the name of the Lord", "Is polla eti, despota". In his work, he continues the traditions of outstanding masters of Ukrainian Orthodox singing - Kyryll Stetsenko, Petro Goncharov, Hryhoriy Davydovskyi. Mykhailo Litvinenko's works have entered the repertoire of choirs in Ukraine, the Russian Federation, Finland, Germany, and England.
Notography
Divine Liturgy: liturgical hymns of the Orthodox Church [textbook. manual.] / comp., ed., comment. D. Bolgarskogo [M. Lytvynenko "Is polla eti, despota": d. muzh. choir.] Kyiv: Izd. Holy Trinity Ioninsky Monastery, 2004. 537 p.
All-Night Vigil: Matins: Liturgical Hymns of the Orthodox Church [study. manual.] / comp., ed., comment. D. Bolgarskogo [M. Lytvynenko "Praise the Lord's Name", "My soul glorifies the Lord", "Holy God is our God": d. smesh. choir.] Kyiv: Izd. Holy Trinity Ioninsky Monastery, 2014. 623 p.
Lytvynenko M. The Holy Lord is our God [notes: d. husband. chorus.]
Lytvynenko M. Trisvyatoye[inaccessible link since July 2019] [notes: d. mix. chorus.]
Mykhailo Lytvynenko — 90: a collection of spiritual works / edited by I. Kondratenko. Chernihiv: Vera and Life, 2017. 88 p.
Discography
Akathist of the Assumption of the Holy Mother of God : chants of the akathist of the Assumption of the Holy Mother of God of the Kiev-Pechersk chant / united men's choir of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra under the direction of protodeacon D. Bolgarskyi [trio "In prayers not to sleep", "Yegda prestavlenie"; bass solo — M. Lytvynenko.] Kyiv: Kyiv-Pecherska Lavra Recording Studio, 2001. Set of 2 electric. wholesale disks (CD-ROM).
I raised up the chosen one from My people : liturgy. hymns by various authors / mitr. Choir of the Volodymyr Cathedral in Kyiv under the direction of M. Lytvynenko [also: "Holy God", "Holy God is our God".] Moscow: Melody; Issued by Moscow Patriarchs, 1988. Series "Millennium of the Baptism of Russia". Part V. The 3 LP Album. The third album. Record of 1987
My Lord, my God, in the days I call out and in the nights before You : All-night hymns by various authors / mitr. Choir of the Holy Dormition Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra under the direction of M. Lytvynenko [by him: "My soul magnifies the Lord."] Kyiv: Kyiv-Pecherska Lavra Sound Recording Studio, 1999. 1 email. wholesale disc (CD-ROM).
From sunrise to sunset. The Divine Liturgy : hymns of the Liturgy by various authors / fraternal choir of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra under the direction of Hierodiak Gerontia (Borysevicha) [M. Lytvynenko "Is polla eti, despota."] Kyiv: Kyiv-Pecherska Lavra Recording Studio, 2005. 1 e. wholesale disc (CD-ROM).
A poem to our God, dondezhe esmy : liturgical works by various authors / mitr. choir of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra under the direction of M. Lytvynenko [by him: "Praise the name of the Lord."] Lviv: Leva Studio, 2008. 1 email. wholesale disc (CD-ROM).
Boyan Ensemble of Kiev [record]: Orthodox chants and Ukrainian folk songs / direct. Y. Kuratch [Lytvynenko M. "Holy the our Lord God".] Kyiv, 2008. 1 el. opt. disk (CD-ROM).
Do not hide Your face from me [record]: sacred music by Ukrainian authors / male chamber choir Boyan Ensemble under direction. Y. Kuratch [Lytvynenko M. "My soul doth magnify the Lord"; soloists — V. Ivanenko, I. Ishchak.] Kyiv, 2000. 1 el. opt. disk (CD-ROM).
Sacred Orthodox chants and songs of Ukraine [record]: the Boyan Ensemble of Kyiv under direction. Y. Kuratch [Lytvynenko M. "My soul doth magnify the Lord"; soloists — V. Ivanenko, I. Ishchak.] Kyiv: Bristol, St. Georges, 2010. 1 el. opt. disk (CD-ROM).
The Boyan Ensemble of Kiev [record]: Ukrainian sacredchants and carols / the Boyan Ensemble of municipal male capella by L. Revutsky under direction. Y. Kuratch [Lytvynenko M. "My soul doth magnify the Lord"; soloists — V. Ivanenko, I. Ishchak.] England: Bristol BBC, St.Georges, 1999. 1 el. opt. disk (CD-ROM).
Filmography
Anatomy of a split: Doc. film [in 2 parts] / dir. O. Leontenko [worshiper. in supr. miter choir of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra under the direction of M. Litvinenko.] Kyiv: Studio of Documentary Cinematography of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, 2002 (in Russian). A set of 2 electric wholesale discs (DVD-ROM).
Divine services: Doc. film [in 2 parts] / dir. O. Leontenko [liturgies in supr. miter choir of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra under the direction of M. Litvinenko.] Kyiv: Studio of Documentary Cinematography of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, 2005 (in Russian). 1 el. wholesale disc (DVD-ROM).
Vladimir plowed — Yaroslav sowed: Doc. film [at 6 p.m.] / dir. V. Georgienko. Part 5 [liturgy in supr. miter Choir of the Volodymyr Cathedral of Kyiv under the direction of M. Litvinenko.] Kyiv: Ukrtelefilm, 1988 (in Russian). // TsDKFFA of Ukraine named after H. S. Pshenychny. Unit coll. 10917. Film 35 mm.
Glas Pechersky : international Orthodox Festival choirs / dir. O. Leontenko [Stetsenko K. "Great Slavoslovie" (27:00): mitr. choir of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra under the direction of M. Litvinenko.] Kyiv: Studio of Documentary Cinematography of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, 2004 (in Russian). 1 video cassette (VHS).
Ten-year anniversary of the Primate's service of His Beatitude Metropolitan Vladimir: doc. film [in 2 parts] / dir. O. Leontenko [worshiper. in supr. miter choir of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra under the direction of M. Litvinenko.] Kyiv: Studio of Documentary Cinematography of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, 2005 (in Russian). 1 el. wholesale disc (DVD-ROM).
Lifetime witnesses: Doc. film [in 2 parts] / dir. A. Krokhmalnyi. Part 1 [liturgy in supr. miter Choir of the Volodymyr Cathedral of Kyiv under the direction of M. Litvinenko.] Kyiv: Ukrkinochronika, 1987 (in Ukrainian). // TsDKFFA of Ukraine named after H. S. Pshenychny. Unit coll. 10603. 35 mm film.
Zajur mountain: dock. film [in 3 parts] / dir. V. Georgienko. Part 2 [songs of the memorial service in vyk. miter Choir of the Volodymyr Cathedral of Kyiv under the direction of M. Litvinenko.] Kyiv: Ukrtelefilm, 1990 (in Ukrainian). // TsDKFFA of Ukraine named after H. S. Pshenychny. Unit coll. 12411. 35 mm film.
The name of the emu is Kyiv: doc. film [in 2 parts] / dir. A. Fedorov. Part 2 [liturgy in supr. miter Choir of the Volodymyr Cathedral of Kyiv under the direction of M. Litvinenko.] Kyiv: Ukrkinochronika, 1988 (in Russian). // TsDKFFA of Ukraine named after H. S. Pshenychny. Unit coll. 10917. Film 35 mm.
Chime bells: dok. film [in 2 parts] / dir. S. Losev. Part 2 [liturgy in supr. miter Choir of the Volodymyr Cathedral of Kyiv under the direction of M. Litvinenko.] Kyiv: Kyivnaukfilm, 1987 (in Russian). // TsDKFFA of Ukraine named after H. S. Pshenychny. Unit coll. 11043. 35 mm film.
My Lavra: doc. film [in 3 parts] Film I ("Time of Great Trials") / dir. O. Leontenko. Kyiv: Studio of documentary cinematography of Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, 2009 (in Russian and Ukrainian). A set of 2 electric wholesale discs (DVD-ROM).
Shepherd: doc. movie [in 2 hours]. Part 1 / dir. O. Leontenko [M. Lytvynenko "Is polla eti, despota": mitr. choir of the Assumption Cathedral of Odesa, 34:22.] Kyiv: Studio of documentary cinematography of Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, 2005 (in Russian). 1 el. wholesale disc (DVD-ROM).
Festive Christmas service in the Tabernacle Church accompanied by the Metropolitan Choir / dir. O. Leontenko. Kyiv: Studio of documentary cinematography of Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, 2005 (in Russian). 1 video cassette (VHS).
Nativity of Christ / dir. O. Leontenko [worshiper. in supr. miter choir of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra under the direction of M. Litvinenko.] Kyiv: Studio of Documentary Cinematography of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, 2001 (in Russian). 1 video cassette (VHS).
The seventieth anniversary of His Beatitude Metropolitan Vladimir: doc. film [in 4 hours] / dir. O. Leontenko [worshiper. in supr. miter choir of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra under the direction of M. Litvinenko.] Kyiv: Studio of Documentary Cinematography of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, 2006 (in Russian). 1 el. wholesale disc (DVD-ROM).
God is with us: doc. film [in 2 parts] Film II "Celebration of the 1000th Anniversary of the Baptism of Russia": in 6 parts Part IV. / dir. B. Karpov [a fragment of a stichira in lityia from the post-ordination service of the Baptism of Russia similar to "Oh a strange miracle" of the Kyiv-Pechersk raspeva: husband. group miter. Choir of the Vladimir Cathedral of Kyiv under the direction of M. Lytvynenko, 7:07]. Moscow: Center. documentary film studio, 1989 (in Russian).
Where Rus was baptized: doc. film [at 6 p.m.] / dir. V. Georgienko. Part 3 [liturgy in supr. miter Choir of the Volodymyr Cathedral of Kyiv under the direction of M. Litvinenko.] Kyiv: Ukrtelefilm, 1989 (in Ukrainian). // TsDKFFA of Ukraine named after H. S. Pshenychny. Unit coll. 12239. 35 mm film.
Assumption: Doc. film [in 2 parts] / dir. V. Shestopalova [liturgy in supr. miter Choir of the Volodymyr Cathedral of Kyiv under the direction of M. Litvinenko.] Kyiv: Ukrkinochronika, 1988 (in Russian). // TsDKFFA of Ukraine named after H. S. Pshenychny. Unit coll. 10652. Plovka 35 mm.
Etudes about Vrubel [art. film] / dir. L. Osyka [Company M. "Troparion to the Equal-to-the-Apostle Prince Volodymyr" (3:45), hymns on the Passion Gospel (5:00), Good Friday antiphon voice 6 "Clothe yourself with the world as a robe" (5:30): mitr. Choir of the Volodymyr Cathedral in Kyiv under the direction of M. Lytvynenko.] Kyiv: O. Dovzhenka Film Studio, 1989 (in Russian).
950 years of Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary: Doc. film / director O. Leontenko [liturgy in supr. miter Choir of the Volodymyr Cathedral of Kyiv under the direction of M. Litvinenko.] Kyiv: Studio of Documentary Cinematography of Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, 2001 (in Russian). 1 video cassette (VHS).
TV and radio programs
To the 75th anniversary of Mykhailo Semenovych Litvinenko [radio program.] / Golden tuning fork: author. script and direction S. Artemenko. Kyiv: NRKU, 2002. // Audio library of NRKU, compact disc CD No. 102042.
To the 90th anniversary of the birthday of the regent, honored artist of Ukraine Mykhailo Lytvynenko: radio program [in 2 hours] / Evening studio "Lira": author. script and direction S. Artemenko. Kyiv: NRKU, "Culture" channel, 2017. Date of airing: 03/28/2017.
Witness of the era [TV program] / dir. V. Shestopalova. Kyiv: TRC "Glas", 2007 (in Ukrainian).
By work and prayer [TV program] / 82nd issue: director. — N. Nikitina, author. plot "90th anniversary of regent Mykhailo Litvinenko" — N. Steshenko-Grygoryev. Kyiv: TRC "Glas", 2017.
