Background
Andriy Shtoharenko was born in the Ukrainian village of Novi Kaidaky (now part of the city of Dnipropetrovsk).
Andriy Shtoharenko was born in the Ukrainian village of Novi Kaidaky (now part of the city of Dnipropetrovsk).
He completed his music studies at the Kharkiv Conservatory in 1936 under South. Bohatyriov.
From 1921-1930 he worked a teacher of singing in Middle schools. In 1926 he became the director of an accordion ensemble. From 1954 he lectured at the Kiev conservatory.
In 1960 he became a professor and in 1968 became the rector of the above mentioned institution.
From 1968 he was the head of the Union of Composer"s of Ukraine. As a composer, he was well-known within the Soviet Union though his music is rarely performed elsewhere.
He was awarded the Stalin Prize for his compositions in 1946 and 1952, and was awarded the prestigious title of People"s Artist of the Union of the Soviet Socialist Republics. During his long career, he served in many positions, including Professor of Composition and Director of the Kharkiv Conservatory and later Kiev Conservatory. Originally graduating as an button-accordion player and again as a composer.
He composed in nearly every genre, primarily writing works for orchestra, solo piano, and voice.
He also wrote number of film scores. His chamber music, though it comprises only a small part of his output, has been highly praised by critics. Most of Shtoharenko"s works deal with political themes glorifying the Communist party.
Union of Soviet Composers]
In 1944 he became a member of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union.