History of Academy

The Mykola Lysenko L’viv National Music Academy holds one of the honorable places among the higher educational establishments of Europe of its kind. This is explained not only by its "mature age", long history of 155 years of existence, but also by the unique features of its development. The music culture of L’viv has been developing at the crossing of the main roads of Europe and always absorbed the trends coming from both, West and East.

The Mykola Lysenko L’viv National Music Academy is one of the oldest institutions of higher music education in Ukraine and Eastern Europe. In 1796 composer and conductor Jozef Elsner (the first rector of the Warsaw conservatoire and the teacher of Frederick Chopin) established in L’viv Music Academy. Mozart's younger son Franz Xavier Mozart opened in 1826 Society of St. Cecilia (with choir and the singing institute). They gave rise to Galician musical society, where the basis of future conservatoire was formed. These institutions stood at the beginning of our educational establishment.

Conservatoire of Galician Musical Society

The Society started its work in 1834 (officially it was confirmed on August 14, 1838). The aim of the Society was to develop music education in Galicia. In 1839 schools (forms) were created. 68 pupils studied there singing, playing on a violin, a cello, a double – base, wind instruments.

On February 14, 1852 the Galician Musical Society decided to found a Conservatoire and opened on May 1, 1854 the School of singing, playing on a violin and a cello (later it was called a conservatoire). On September 18, 1880 Conservatoire of the Galician Musical Society received an official status. Its directors were: pianist, musicologist, composer and pedagogue Johan Rukhaber (1799-1876), the well-known pianist and composer, student of Chopin Karol Mikuli (1821-1897), organist, pedagogue, musicologist, composer and conductor Rudolf Schwarz (1834-1899), composer, conductor and pedagogue Meczyslav Soltys (1863–1929).

L’viv Conservatoire named after Karol Szymanovsky

This private music institution was organized in 1902 as Music Institute. Its founder was Ann Nementowska and cofounder − Maria Veleshchukowa. The average number of students was about 200 persons. In 1905 this institution was reorganized into L’viv Music Institute. In 1910 Music Institute with slogan “innovation and professionalism” opened its branches in Drohobych, Stanislaviv, Stryyi and Ternopil. In 1923 Ann Nementowska was in USA. Later she developed a new method of music education.

In 1931 Institute was named “L’viv Conservatoire named after Karol Szymanovsky”

The Higher Music Institute named after Mykola Lysenko

This institution was closely connected with the Choir Society “Boyan”. “Boyan” started its work in 1891 at the initiative of Anatol Vakhnyanyn.

In 1903 The Higher Music Institute was opened in L’viv at the initiative of Anatol Vakhnianyn. Owing to the efforts of its first directors – outstanding Ukrainian composers and musicians Anatol Vakhnianyn (1841-1908), Stanislav Lyudkevych (1879–1979) and Vasyl' Barvinsky (1888–1963), pianist, pedagogue and conductor Olena Yasenyts’ka-Voloshyn (1882–1980), the level of the graduates was extremely high enabling them to performed on the leading stages of Europe.

In 1912 the Institute was named in honour of a great Ukrainian composer Mykola Lysenko.

Faculty of musicology at L’viv University (1912–1941)

A faculty of musicology was opened at L’viv University in 1912, in compliance with the traditions and standards of the old European Universities. The Dean of this faculty was the eminent Polish musicologist Adolf Chybin'sky. Among the students of the faculty were such renowned Polish and Ukrainian scholars as Myroslav Antonovych, Zofia Lissa, Zofia Lobaczevska, Maria Szczepanska and others.

L’viv State Conservatoire named after M. Lysenko − M. Lysenko Higher State Music Institute – M. Lysenko L’viv State Music Academy –M. Lysenko L’viv National Music Academy.

L’viv State Conservatoire rose in 1939 on the basis of two Conservatories (Conservatoire of the Galician Musical Society, private Conservatoire named after Karol Szymanovsky), the Higher Music Institute and a faculty of musicology at L’viv University, when all these educational institutions merged into one. Its first director was Vasyl' Barvinsky.

In 1944 L’viv State Conservatoire received the name of Mykola Lysenko.
In 1992 the conservatoire was renamed into the “Mykola Lysenko Higher State Music Institute”.

The institution was granted the highest level of accreditation by the state Accreditation Commission in 1997. At present it is a Ukrainian establishment of higher music education of the fourth category of accreditation.

Through a Decree of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine on August 27, 2000 the institution was again renamed into the “M. Lysenko L’viv State Academy of Music”.

According to the great artistic value, Academy was honoured by government and the President of Ukraine with the National degree on September 13, 2007. The contemporary name is "The Mykola Lysenko L’viv National Music Academy". It is located on Nyzhankivs'kyi Street 5.

L’viv Academy of Music was headed by talented musicians: Vasyl' Barvinsky, Sergij Pavlyuchenko, Mykola Kolessa, Zenon Dashak, Maria Krushelnytska.

Professor, People’s Artist of Ukraine, Candidate of art sciences Ihor Pylatyuk became a head of "The Mykola Lysenko L’viv National Music Academy" in 1999.

Academy’ students are taught with an emphasis on creative expression. Wide opportunities to practice are offered by new creative ensembles: cellos ensemble, violin ensemble etc. At the Academy work recognized and acclaimed musicians. The professional training system at the Academy enjoys international recognition.

The Academy publishes annual scientific bulletin, holds international scientific conferences and international competitions. There is also Scientific Council to support dissertation for a scientific degree of the Сandidate of art sciences.

The Academy’s international contacts continue to strengthen and become more diverse and creative. Among them are conservatoires and music Academies in Poland, Russia, Austria, Germany, USA, Canada etc