As a composer he helped lay the foundations for the development of modern Ukrainian music. His works are formally unsophisticated, often strophic, and usually in the minor mode; but his stage works (notably
Prostachka (‘The Simpleton’), 1870) are representative of a popular folk genre that was melodically fluid, singable, pictorial and emotionally evocative. His instrumental writing does not extend far beyond the simple development of
folktunes. Nevertheless, he composed 12
symphonies (overtures), on the sixth of which
Stanyslav Lyudkevych based an orchestral piece and a piano trio. He also composed
Zapovit (‘Testament’, 1868), a setting of
Shevchenko's poem for bass solo, double choir and orchestra, the operetta
Pidhiriany which was staged in Lemberg (now Lviv, 1864), and numerous sacred and secular choral works and songs. He is best known as the composer of the Ukrainian national anthem by the words of
Pavlo Chubynsky Shche ne vmerla Ukraina (‘Ukraine has not Perished’), which in 1917 was adopted by the new Ukrainian republican government.
Compositions Musicologist Uliana Petrus has put together a list of 133 known compositions by Mykhailo Verbytskyi. These include: • Large scale secular choral works - 30 • Sacred choral works - 37 • Vocal ensembles • Art songs - 10 • Arrangements of folk songs - 10 • Orchestral works - 18 works including 9 symphonies • Chamber works • 15 works for various instruments • Music to 12 stage works ==Commemoration==