THE APPLICATION OF THE ROMAN GURKO’S SPIRITUAL CREATIVITY IN UKRAINIAN MUSIC PROJECTS

Abstract

The purpose of the research – to explore the use of spiritual works by composer of Ukrainian origin Roman Gurkо in Ukrainian musical projects through the lens of the phenomenon of his art activity. Research methodology is based on the use of multidisciplinary and complex approaches, involving a descriptive method (to identify and review the collected material), a biographical method (to interpret the activity by displaying the biography and personality of the author), a method of systematization and generalization (to determine the interaction of R. Gurka with different aspects of the cultural and artistic life of Ukraine and the diaspora at the turn of the century), the axiological method (to determine the value orientations of the artist). Scientific novelty of the work. The article is dedicated to the coverage of Roman Gurkо's versatile musical and creative activities – composer, conductor, director, producer, and bright representative of the Western Diaspora musical culture in the XX-XXI centuries. The use of his spiritual choral compositions in various Ukrainian music projects – festivals, concerts, musical evenings, premieres, recordings and more – is represented. Conclusions. Roman Gurko is one of the leading contemporary music artists of the Western Diaspora, who enrich and develop the traditions of Ukrainian liturgical choral art. The phenomenon of the musician's extraordinary figure lies in his simultaneous versatile activity as a director, conductor, composer, producer, cultural and public figure both in the Ukrainian diaspora and on the mainland. R. Gurkо’s spiritual music, which is characterized by special prayer, spirituality and inner focus, is in the repertoire of many Ukrainian church choirs and collectives of the Ukrainian diaspora. So, the music of Roman Gurko is simplе for the listener, it is meditative. It is also difficult to perform, so only the choir can sing it. However, the works are wonderfull and performed by the choir, so that the music sounds in all its glory and tunes to prayer. Among the Ukrainian music projects where the composer's works were performed, there are several festivals, international premieres and volunteer events, various concert programs, spiritual music concerts, and sound recording. The conscious cultural and social activities of the artist were supplemented by the participation of Roman Gurko as a director in the project «Ukrainian Author’s Song» and producer of the project «Ukrainian Art Song Project», as well as in the organizing committee of the annual practical conference of church singing in the USA. Understanding Roman Gurkо's versatile artistic activities complements theoretical and practical developments to further address the issue of domestic management in the field of academic music.