Inspirations from the Galician tradition in the vocal lyricism of Ihor Sonevytsky

Abstract

Galician musical culture developed independently under the influence of different political and ethnic conditions, which determinated the musical formation of Polish and Ukrainian composers. In particular, vocal lyricism developed under Western effect, combining old Galician song traditions with Ukrainian Romantic forms. After the Second World War and political changes, the conditions for musical development changed, resulting in the need to adapt and seek new means of expression. Ukrainian composer and musicologist Ihor Sonevitsky (1926–2006) continued the Galician tradition in his vocal works, while introducing modern compositional techniques. Following Ukraine’s independence in 1991, Sonevitsky and his works became an important part of the renewal of Ukrainian musical identity.