Behind the scenes of the official biography: to the 125TH anniversary of the birth of musicologist Grygory Kyselyov

Abstract

The relevance of the study. Gryhoriy Leonidovich Kyselyov (1901–1952) — Ukrainian musicologist, Doctor of Philosophy in Art Criticism, scientist and Professor, whose life and work fell on the 20-50s — the period of formation and development of domestic musicological science. His early death was the result of those historical cataclysms that befell the generation born at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. Despite the fact that the musicologist's name appears in many fundamental works, only a brief biography of a reference nature still exists.

The main objective. The purpose of the article is to expand information about the life and work of musicologist Gryhoriy Kyselyov.

The methodology. The following methods were used to conduct the research: biographical (formation of musicological interests during the years of study and subsequent scientific and pedagogical activity of G. Kiselyov), source-based (identification and processing of previously uninvolved archival complexes), genealogical (research into the origin of the musicologist), study of regional studies (Ovruch, Chernihiv), historical and memoir-based (use of various memories: family, friends, students, etc.).

The main results and conclusions. The life and musicological activity of G. Kyselyov, which fell on the first half of the 20th century, the years of the formation and development of Ukrainian musicological science, are considered. A biographical periodization of the artist is built, which reflects the historical breaks of the era. The importance of cultural and educational stages, from family upbringing in Ovruch to the M. Lysenko Institute, and musical and artistic contacts both during the years of study at the institute (M. Grinchenko, B. Yavorsky, A. Alshvang, K. Kvitka), and in future pedagogical and musicological activity (G. Veryovka, E. Skrypchynska, D. Revutsky, L. Kulakovsky etc.) is emphasized. A number of new archival documents and photographs have been published. Among them are images of teachers and students from 1929, a “report” of the musicologist on his stay in German captivity, a letter from L. Revutsky to G. Kyselyov with a description of his creative work at that time. The last period of G. Kyselyov’s life is considered, work at the Kyiv Conservatory and the M. Rylsky Institute of Fine Arts. Scientific activity in difficult conditions of the late 40s and early 50s is noted. The close relationship with Lev Kulakovsky (creation of the textbook “Musical Literacy”), creative contacts with Klymentiy Kvitka (preparation of a dissertation) and Levko Revutsky (writing a brochure for the composer’s 60th anniversary). The pedagogical work of the musicologist at the Department of Music History and the attitude of his students to him, who in the future formed the foundation of Ukrainian musicological science, are highlighted. Prospects: the archival complexes of the musicologist Gryhoriy Kyselyov, which are stored in various institutions in Kyiv, are mostly unprocessed. The study of these materials can help expand the perspective of historical views on the difficult period of the formation of Ukrainian musicological science, establish personal, friendly and business contacts between prominent representatives of Ukrainian musical culture and musicologists.