VIKTOR KOSENKO’S COMPOSITIONAL ACTIVITY ON THE EXAMPLE OF A PIANO CONCERTO WITH AN ORCHESTRA

Abstract

Viktor Kosenko is one of the most prominent Ukrainian composers of the first half of the 20th century, known for his multifaceted creative activity. His contribution to the development of piano art, chamber instrumental and symphonic music is extremely valuable to Ukrainian musical culture. A special place in his work is occupied by the Concerto for Piano and Orchestra, which reflects the composer’s individual style and is a landmark work in the context of Ukrainian academic music. The article examines Viktor Kosenko’s compositional activity through an analysis of this concerto. The peculiarities of melody, harmonic language, orchestration, and musical dramaturgy are explored. Considerable attention is paid to the stylistic features of the work, which combine romantic expressiveness with national intonations. Analyzing the concerto, the author of the article draws attention to Kosenko’s characteristic melodiousness, which has a connection with Ukrainian folklore, as well as to features inherent in the European romantic tradition. Separately, the article highlights the influence on Kosenko of 19th-century romantic composers, such as Frédéric Chopin. The features of his style are traced, which the composer organically combined with his own creative searches. Attention is paid to the structure of the concerto, its themes, their interaction and development. The specifics of the orchestration, which emphasizes the solo part of the piano, creating a holistic musical concept, are considered. In addition to musical and stylistic analysis, the article also reveals the historical context of the concerto’s creation and its significance for the further development of the genre in Ukrainian music. It is concluded that the Concerto for Piano and Orchestra is one of Kosenko’s most significant works, testifying to the high level of his compositional skill. Thanks to this work, Viktor Kosenko laid the foundation for the further development of the piano concerto in Ukrainian music, influenced contemporary performers and composers. His music still remains relevant, because it combines deep lyricism, emotionality and national identity.