Anatolii Molotai (born 22 August 1938, Ruzhychna - 29 November 2022) was an organiser, artistic director and chief conductor of the National Presidential Orchestra, professor. People's Artist of the Ukrainian SSR (1990).
Biography.
He was born on 22 August 1938 in the village of Ruzhychna, Khmelnytskyi region.
At the age of 15, he began his musical education in the Khmelnytskyi Military Orchestra. Later, he joined the staff of the Exemplary Orchestra of the Prykarpattia Military Academy.
In 1964, he graduated from the military conducting faculty at the Moscow Conservatory. While studying in Moscow, he actively communicated with the legendary intelligence officer Hryhorii Pastukh from Ruzhychna and his family.
For many years, he was the conductor of the Orchestra of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Ukrainian SSR.
Since 1987, he worked at the National Music Academy as a lecturer in conducting at the Department of Wind and Percussion Instruments.
From 1991, he was the Head of the Orchestral Service of the National Guard of Ukraine in 1991-2000; founder, artistic director and chief conductor of the Orchestra of Ceremonies, the Separate Exemplary Brass Band of the National Guard of Ukraine (1992), the Presidential Orchestra of the National Guard of Ukraine (1997), the Presidential Orchestra of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (2000) and the National Presidential Orchestra (2003).
He is the author of about 120 arrangements for symphony and wind orchestras. He is a full holder of the Order of Merit.
In 2018, on the anniversary of the 1 December referendum, he was awarded the Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise, V Class.
In 2021, by the decision of the eighth session of the Khmelnytsky City Council dated 23.09.2021 No. 1, he was awarded the title of "Honorary Citizen of the Khmelnytsky City Territorial Community".
