Development of the Ukrainian Orchestra of Folk Instruments: Socio-Cultural and Historical Aspects
Authors: Tsytsyriev V. 
Published: July 2023

The relevance of the article. Ukraine is currently going through a difficult period of its existence, all strata of the Ukrainian population are now suffering from the consequences of the beginning of full-scale Russian aggression against our country, so today the preservation and development of folk and instrumental performance on folk instruments is relevant, covering all aspects of society and the national preservation of folk art and the unity of the Ukrainian people.

The purpose of the study is to demonstrate key points at the stage of development of such phenomenon of national music-making as the Ukrainian orchestra of folk instruments and to indicate specific features of orchestral-ensemble activity for facilitating further fixation and analysis of the modern experience of the groups of such type.

The methodology. Among the applied approaches and methods, a complex multidisciplinary method supplemented by an additional source of own methodical materials is of primary importance. Such methodological tools as a systematic approach allowed to determine the main orchestra components, study their essence and identify methods for combining them into an organic whole; theoretical approach applied to comprehend and clarify the content of the main concepts of folk-orchestral performance; comparative-historical method — to describe and trace the key stages of the evolutionary development of the Ukrainian orchestra of folk instruments and reproduce a complete picture of its formation in the context of the Ukrainian musical culture.

The results. Investigating the current state of development of such a specific form of Ukrainian national music making as the orchestra of folk instruments, and relying on the history of folk musical instruments, we conclude that the cultural and historical conditions were favorable for the emergence and further development of the folk orchestra in Ukraine. According to the definition of theoretical musical studies of different years, which were cited in this study in the literature review, it is indicated that the formation of the Ukrainian orchestra of folk instruments was influenced by both socio-political and purely socio-cultural factors. After the beginning of such influence and interaction, the strengthening and development of professional musical education in the general direction of new or forgotten folk instruments was of great importance. As a result, the process of founding departments of folk instruments in conservatories and musical faculties of educational institutions in Ukraine began. The matter of the repertoire policy of orchestras of folk instruments is revealed due to the historical studies regarding the formation of the Ukrainian folk orchestra. This was done only after the plan for the development of the musical instruments of the Ukrainian folk instrument orchestra was professionally outlined. This was also done taking into account the processes of formation of the instrumental composition. No less important is the study of ways to improve the direction of the Ukrainian orchestra of folk instruments. An important issue is the search for possibilities for the reconstruction of musical instruments for their further full use in the main composition of the Ukrainian folk orchestra. This can be facilitated both by increasing the performance level of the groups of folk instruments in general and by improving their leaders’ professional skills. Expanding the genre-stylistic sphere of the repertoire is possible thanks to the strengthening of creative ties with composers. Such cooperation will contribute not only to the internal development of collectives, but can also activate concert performances of orchestras of folk instruments.

The scientific novelty. The work, in addition to recording the historical stages of the development, reveals the main social functions that are characteristic of orchestras of folk instruments through the description of the three most significant forms of their activities. The combination of the historical context and socio-cultural features characteristic of Ukrainian folk instrument orchestras reveals a scientific novelty in the description of the evolution and development of this direction of Ukrainian music-making.

The practical significance. The topic studied in the work has the prospect of further research, especially due to the scientific importance of folk-instrumental traditions as the nation’s spiritual heritage. Namely, the collectives of folk instrument orchestras that popularize folk instrumental art among society, revive forgotten works and promote the best examples. The results of the research on the development of orchestras of folk instruments and their ensembles can be used in the programs of special seminars, individual optional sections, lecture courses of higher educational institutions, it is also appropriate to use them in the process of studying relevant topics from the theory and history of folk orchestra performance, it will be an interesting addition for the direction of the authorial disciplines in cultural studies, art history, as well as individual points of the results can become the basis for further scientific developments on this issue.