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Bohdan
Vesolovsky was a popular composer of Ukrainian "parlor music"
and Ukrainian "art songs". In 1933, Vesolovsky studied law and received a Master of Law in Western Ukraine.
During this period he also studied with famous Ukrainian composers such as
Mykola Lysenko, Stanislav Liudkevych and Mykola Kolessa.
The
beginning of the Second World War forced Vesolovsky to flee Ukraine to
settle for a brief period in Vienna where he
continued his music studies. He earned a diploma
from the Consular Academy, and later a doctor of science degree in
economics from the University of Vienna.
Vesolovsky was only 22 years old when he wrote his first hit. His music
was already so popular that people began recognizing him on the streets
of Ukraine.
His songs were popularized on the radio, at concerts, at student dances
and even at the movies. In 1945, Vesolovsky joined the US Armed Forces in
Austria and worked with the Counter Intelligence Corps of the US Army. In
1949, he and his family immigrated to Canada and became Canadian citizens.
In 1952, Vesolovsky became the first announcer-producer
of the newly formed Ukrainian section of Radio Canada International. He
worked there until his death on December 17th, 1971.
Throughout his life in Montreal Vesolovsky organized orchestras and
concerts in which he himself performed as an accordion player, pianist and
singer. He was considered to be an accomplished pianist. Throughout his
life, he wrote and published songs and himself organized the recording of
his music on 78rpm vinyl records. His recordings were extremely popular throughout
Canada, the US and in Europe. No other substantial recordings of his songs
have been made since the 1960’s.
Vesolovsky's style was strongly influenced by the Austrian waltz and
tango. The tango, the foxtrot and the light waltz were his forte. The
lyrics for most of his songs are based on love in all its forms.
Vesolovsky often wrote his own lyrics. He left behind close to 150 songs.
Three volumes of his music have recently been
published in Ukraine. These compilations contain all the
known works of the composer’s music including songs and instrumental
pieces.
My
project is to begin recording these wonderful songs, instrumental pieces and "art song" type repertoire. The vast
majority of Bohdan Vesolovsky's music has yet to
be recorded. His music is world class
and deserves to be
documented and known today.
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