Mykola Grinchenko as a Musicologist-Folklorist (Based on Published Works)

Abstract

The goal of the article is to characterize Mykola Hrinchenko as a historian of Ukrainian music, a researcher of the folk music; to analyze his “History of Ukrainian Music” (1922) and to identify the place of folklore related problems in it. The activity of M. Hrinchenko as a teacher, scientist, musical and public figure is characterized, its importance in the development of musical folkloristics is highlighted. An overview of the works of the early period of the scientist's creative life has been carried out, the formation of M. Hrinchenko's views on Ukrainian folk art has been traced. Characterizing the creativity of Ukrainian composers (M. Lysenko, K. Stetsenko, P. Kozytskyi), M. Hrinchenko focuses primarily on those achievements related to folklore sources. The scientist considers its genetic connection with the native culture to be a sign of the artistic value of a musical piece. The goal of Ukrainian music, according to M. Hrinchenko, is to reach the heights of world musical art and at the same time preserve its national roots.
 The “History of Ukrainian Music” (Kyiv, 1922) has been analyzed and the importance of folk art as a mandatory component of music-historical work is outlined. The author's statement about the fundamental importance of musical folklore for the development of Ukrainian culture, which is unique and different from all other cultures of the world, is defined as the conceptual basis of the monograph. It is proven that M. Hrinchenko initiated certain traditions with his monograph, which are still followed by almost all authors of studies on the history of Ukrainian music. In particular, the presence of a section devoted to the history of folk musical art is mandatory. The periodization of the history of Ukrainian folk art from ancient times to the time of the creation of the book is considered: pre-Christian era, Christian (pre-Cossack), Cossack era, modern period. M. Hrinchenko sees Ukrainian musical culture as a component of the European one. The impact of his ideas on the development of Ukrainian historical musicology and folkloristics in subsequent periods is indicated.