Programmatic Idea in the Cycles of Piano Miniatures of Ukrainian Composers of the Second Half of the 20th Century

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to study the influence of the concept of descriptive music on the development of the genre of the piano miniature cycle of Ukrainian composers of the second half of the 20th century. Research methodology. The author suggests the methodological support of the characteristic features of a programmatic idea in the cycles of piano miniatures of Ukrainian composers of the second half of the 20th century drawing on a system approach and musicological analysis.Results. The paper considers the programmatic idea as a feature of the development of the genre of piano miniature cycle in the works of Ukrainian composers of the second half of the 20th century. The author studies the following genre subgroups of programmatic cycles: memorials, collections of diverse musical compositions, children’s music, and pieces of music written on the basis of sources of literature, the cycles inspired by the works of fine art, music opuses with historical and geographical names, “individual projects”. The paper demonstrates that for many composers a miniature is a kind of creative laboratory where they are gaining proficiency with various techniques of the performance. However, for most composers, the genre of programmatic cycles of piano miniatures becomes self-sufficient and able to reflect deep philosophical ideas or serves as a basis for reflection of their inner world.The practical significance involves the analysis of the programmatic idea as a feature of the development of the genre of the cycle of piano miniatures in the works of Ukrainian composers of the second half of the 20th century and the study of features of programmatic cycles of piano miniatures, that encourages the performers to master their skills as virtuoso pianists.