Nikolay DiletskyLittle is known about Diletsky’s life. A remark by Ioannikii Trofimovich Korenev, a fellow theorist who describes him as a resident of Kiev, is considered evidence of Diletsky’s Ukrainian origins. Korenev’s statement is probably reliable, as he and Diletsky apparently were well acquainted.[1] However, the date and even the year of birth are not known, and no details on Diletsky’s early life have surfaced. He must have moved to Vilnius before 1675, because that year his Toga zlota (“The golden toga”) was published there. The text is now lost, but it is known that it was written in Polish, and the surviving title page[2] indicates that it was probably a panegyrical pamphlet.[3] Some sources indicate that he wrote at least one other musical treatise while in Vilnius, which is now lost:[4] this treatise is first mentioned in Grammatika musikiyskago peniya (1677), and the Idea grammatikii musikiiskoi (1679) is described as a translation of the Vilnius work in its title page. Diletsky’s signature at the end of Idea grammatiki musikiyskoy Nikolay Diletsky (Ukrainian: Микола Дилецький, Mykola Dyletsky, Russian: Николай Павлович Дилецкий, Nikolay Pavlovich Diletsky, Nikolai Diletskii, Polish: Mikołaj Dilecki, also Mikolaj Dylecki, Nikolai Dilezki, etc.) (c. 1630, Kiev – after 1680, Moscow) was a theorist and composer of Ukrainian nationality, active in Russia. He was widely influential in late 17th-century Russia with his treatise on composition, A Musical Grammar, of which the earliest surviving version dates from 1677. Diletsky’s followers included Vasily Titov. 1 Life After Vilnius, Diletsky lived in Smolensk, where in 1677 the first surviving version of his magnum opus, Grammatika musikiyskago peniya (“A grammar of musical song”), was written. He then moved to Moscow, where the subsequent two versions of the work appeared in 1679 and 1681. Nothing further is known about Diletsky’s life, and it is generally assumed that he died shortly afterwards. His date of birth is projected from this hypothesis.[5] 2 Work Although several of his compositions survive, Diletsky’s fame rests chiefly on his composition treatise, Grammatika musikiyskago peniya (A Grammar of Music[al Singing]), which was the first of its kind in Russia. The three surviving versions bear different names, but the content is roughly the same with some important differences.[6] The treatise is in two parts. The first teaches the rudiments of music theory, “relying heavily on Western terminology and theoretical precepts, especially the hexachord", and the second teaches composition of a cappella concertos, a genre that came to Russia through Ukraine and of which Diletsky was one of the first exponents.[6] Diletsky provides a wide variety of examples, both from his own work, including an 8voice setting of the Divine Liturgy that he composed in Smolensk specifically to illustrate the Grammatika,[7] and A sample page from Idea grammatiki musikiyskoy (Moscow, from that of contemporary Western composers, partic1679). Click image for details. ularly the Poles Marcin Mielczewski and Jacek Rózy1 They propose a correspondingly later birth date. Johann David Heinichen described the circle of fifths in a 1728 treatise. [2] Jensen 1992. (subscription required) • Claudia R.” Sovetskaia muzyka no.” [6] Jensen 1992. Apart from the tremendous influence it had on subsequent generations of Russian church composers. Moscow. in the 1650s. [4] Jensen 1992. 309. taken up in their later works. Oxford Music Online. 310. 1677) • Idea grammatikii musikiyskoy (Идея грамматикии муcикийской. 1679) • Grammatika peniya musikiyskago (Грамматика пения муcикийского. Circle of fifths in Idea grammatikii musikiyskoy (Moscow. xviii (1992). Jensen. [7] Jensen 1992. Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies. includes “Kyivan Chant” and a “Proportional” liturgy) • 2 sacred concertos • Resurrection/Easter kanon. 1681) 3. “A grammar of musical song”. CCK 11-2. In Macy. Moscow.” Zhovten' no. 9 (1967): 138. the Grammatika is of particular interest for having the first known description of the circle of fifths. Atlantik (Атлантик). 311. 307. Laura. Grove Music Online. Smolensk. [5] Jensen 1992. . Oxford University Press. CCK 11-3. 7 (1966): 109-116. is an autograph.2 5 REFERENCES 4 Notes [1] Jensen 1992.Research report No. A Theoretical Work of Late Seventeenth-Century Muscovy: Nikolai Diletskii’s “Grammatika” and the Earliest Circle of Fifths. [8] Jensen. 312. Grove.[8] 3 List of works 3. “An idea of musical grammar”. Canada. JAMS. Durnev. University of Alberta.2 Music • 3 settings of the Divine Liturgy (4–8 voices. This hypothesis. Jensen. 305–31. “Nikolay Diletsky”. 5 References • Claudia R. Kyiv Chamber Choir. dated 1723. 2003. was refuted in Vladimir Goshovskii and I.1 Writings • Grammatika musikiyskago peniya (Грамматика муcикийского пения. [3] Jensen.A Biobibliographic Guide .A. suggested that Diletskii died in the third decade of the 18th century. Grove. “K sporu o Diletskom. 1896. 14. "'More neprebrannoe' (Novoznaidenii avtograf tvoru Mikoli Dilets’koho). one that antedates Western examples by several decades. 310: “Oleksandra Tsalai-Iakimenko and Oleksandr Zelin’skii. based on their belief that Muzei ukrainskoho mistetstva 87/510804. 8vv[9] [9] List of works taken from: “Mykola Dyletskiy: Sacred Works”. 1679) cki. (subscription required) • Dytyniak Maria Ukrainian Composers . Rjwilmsi. FeanorStar7.org/wiki/Nikolay%20Diletsky?oldid=610728292 Contributors: MisfitToys.Savin. Stusutcliffe. Original artist: Unknown • File:Diletsky_moods.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4c/Diletsky_signature.2 Images • File:Diletsky_circle. Classicalfan2. Carminowe of Hendra. Jashiin. DenisRS. Ostap R. SMasters.1 Text • Nikolay Diletsky Source: http://en.jpg License: Public domain Contributors: The manuscript is held by the Russian State Library. Boguslavmandzyuk. Coepulonus. contributors. A. Bobo192. Original artist: Unknown • File:Diletsky_signature. Marcus2. and licenses 6. Kleinzach. Original artist: Unknown 6.3 6 Text and image sources. Mokgamen.jpg Source: http://upload. Kosboot. Bandurist.jpg License: Public domain Contributors: The manuscript is held by the Russian State Library.wikimedia. Thijs!bot. Luckas-bot.jpg License: Public domain Contributors: The manuscript is held by the Russian State Library. VIAFbot and Anonymous: 5 6. Addbot.0 . Alfietucker.org/wikipedia/commons/b/bd/Diletsky_moods.3 Content license • Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.jpg Source: http://upload. Lightbot. Jtir.wikimedia. Drummerkoen.wikimedia.wikipedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d6/Diletsky_circle.jpg Source: http://upload. Cydebot.