The Becoming of Oleksandr Koshetz’s Creative Individuality (Kyiv Period)

Abstract

Relevance of the study. Oleksandr Koshetz is a unique figure in Ukrainian musical culture. His conducting talent was admired throughout the world, and his artistic phenomenon continues to attract the attention of experts. Among the issues raised in the literature in connection with the work of this master, the problem of the nature of this outstanding phenomenon stands out, the question of what factors — external and internal — determined his appearance on the horizon of national choral art. That is why it is important to consider the Kyiv period of O. Koshetz’s creative activity, because it was then that the leading features of the artist’s creative personality were formed. Working with numerous choral ensembles, he demonstrated a synthesis of deep roots in the national singing art with academic professionalism, forming his unique creative portrait.

The research methodology is based on the integrative use of the methodology of the humanities, the application of historical-dynamic and comparative methods, methods of historical reconstruction, source analysis, etc.

The scientific novelty of the study is determined by the coverage of Oleksandr Koshetz’s creative activity during the Kyiv period, which was extremely important for the formation of his creative individuality. In order to identify the leading factors that influenced the formation of the artist's creative individuality and to reveal the creative achievements of this period, memoirs, correspondence, and materials from the Kyiv press were analyzed, and an attempt was made to comprehensively cover the aspects of the formation of the creative phenomenon of this brilliant musician. The purpose of this article is to identify the key factors that influenced the formation of O. Koshetz’s creative personality and to reveal his creative achievements in various aspects of his activity in Kyiv.

Conclusions. During his time in Kyiv Oleksandr Koshetz fully developed as a creative personality and specialist of the highest level. His creative individuality grew on the fertile ground of folk song culture, national traditions of church singing, and broad education in the field of European classics. He acquired the latter two components in Kyiv. The combination of all three factors largely determined the phenomenon that was O. Koshetz’s conducting mastery, which included colossal musical erudition, rich timbre, and perfection in the architectonics of musical form. No less important in the formation of Koshetz’s phenomenon were his personal qualities — spirituality, artistic empathy, brilliant artistic temperament, and powerful suggestion. Having received a powerful passionate impulse from M. Lysenko, O. Koshetz became a leading figure in Ukrainian choral performance during his Kyiv period.

Research into the Kyiv period of Oleksandr Koshetz’s activity reveals the origins and, at the same time, the outstanding creative achievements of the artist, which determined his further creative destiny and its worldwide fame. Further research can deepen our understanding of the unique creative phenomenon of Koshetz as a conductor, composer and a Human being.