Dmitry Stepanovich Bortnyansky

Dmitry Stepanovich Bortnyansky (1751–1825) was a Ukrainian-born composer who became one of the most celebrated figures in Russian sacred music. Often called the "father of Russian classical music," Bortnyansky started his career as a choirboy in Kyiv before catching the attention of Empress Catherine the Great. She sent him to Italy to study opera and composition, where he soaked up the European style. Returning to Russia, he climbed the ranks to become director of the Imperial Chapel Choir in St. Petersburg, reshaping Russian liturgical music with his lush harmonies and Western-influenced choral writing.

Best known for his *Sacred Concertos* (those Vol. 1–6 releases you’ve seen are modern recordings of these gems), Bortnyansky blended Orthodox traditions with Italianate flair. His works were so beloved that Tsar Alexander III later banned edits to his scores—a testament to his legacy. When he wasn’t composing reverent hymns or concertos, he dabbled in operas and instrumental music, but it’s his sacred pieces that still echo in cathedrals and concert halls today. Fun fact: His melody for the hymn *Kol Slaven* became a cultural staple, even inspiring the Soviet national anthem’s tune. Not bad for a guy who started as a choirboy!

Genres

Classical

Opera

Choral

Baroque

Religious

Romantic Music

Sacred

Liturgical

Eastern European

Latest Release

Bortnyansky: Sacred Concertos, Vol. 6

Dmitry Stepanovich Bortnyansky•

State Symphony Capella of Russia•

Valeri Kuzmich Polyansky

Album - 29 Tracks - Released February 1, 2002