THE EVOLUTION OF MEL BONIS COMPOSITIONAL STYLE IN THE CONTEXT OF THE FRENCH MUSICAL TRADITION OF THE LATE XIX AND EARLY XX CENTURIES

Abstract

The study of Mel Boni's work is important for contemporary musicology, as it allows us to rethink the role of female composers in the development of the French musical tradition of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The aim of the study is to analyse the evolution of Mel Boni's musical style in the context of the French musical tradition of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, to identify the characteristic features of her compositional language and to assess the influence of socio-cultural factors. The study focuses on an overview of the composer's chamber and solo works, taking into account stylistic, harmonic and formative aspects, as well as an examination of her music in relation to the work of contemporary French composers and general trends in musical modernism and impressionism. The methodological basis of the work is comparative stylistic analysis, historical and musicological methods, and an aesthetic and structural approach. The study includes an analysis of musical material, taking into account music criticism and historical sources, which allows us to assess the evolution of Bonis' compositional thinking and her contribution to the development of instrumental and vocal music of her time. The scientific novelty of the work lies in the systematic analysis of Mel Boni's music, taking into account its stylistic evolution and the interaction between the Romantic tradition and modernist tendencies. The conclusions emphasise that Mel Boni's work demonstrates tonal integrity and expressive colouring, as well as reflecting the socio-cultural characteristics of the era. It is not worth looking for ‘feminine’ traits in Mel Boni's music and drawing conclusions about her work while ignoring the social context. Instead, when critically analysing the composer's life and music, she should be viewed as an artist with her own artistic language. The results of the study may contribute to the inclusion of Mel Boony's works in the contemporary concert repertoire and academic discourse.