Journal articles on the topic 'Concertos (Viola) – Solo with piano'

Bartók’s later works from the years 1939–1945 present an impressive synthesis of his musical innovations. Beginning with the Divertimento and Sixth String Quartet (both composed in 1939), the Hungarian composer starts with a freely tonal, neo-Classical foundation. Above this initial compositional level he then superimposes Beethovenian formal structures gleaned from the latter’s opp. 53 and 135, in addition to a prominent Stravinsky quotation from The Rite of Spring, part two. In both works Bartók achieves an impressive large-scale cyclical unity, frequently through wholetone scalar integration. The Concerto for Orchestra (1943) blends pervasive quotation techniques with analogous cyclical intervallic patterns, such as major third cells on F–A–D4. One is again distinctly reminded of the F Major Divertimento. Like the latter work, the Concerto is especially notable for its expansive codas, which function in the manner of Beethovenian second developments. Similarly, the Sonata for Solo Violin (1944) fuses neo-Bachian counterpoint with the expansive forms of the Concerto for Orchestra. Finally, the interrelated last two Concertos for piano and viola (both penned in 1945) present a cumulative synthesis of Bartókʼs later style, emphasizing the tertial (and modal) degrees of VI and flattened VI. Here, too, we encounter elaborate quotational systems that distantly recall the 1910s and 1920s music of French composers as Debussy, Ravel and Satie.

The object of research is the works of V. Bibik written at the beginning of his mature period. The aim of the research is to reveal the main features of Bibik’s style. Methods of research include technical analysis of the works in the context of the innovative tendencies in the Ukrainian music of 1960–70s, as well as comparative research. Research results. Outstanding Ukrainian composer Valentyn Bibik (1940–2003) wrote over 150 works. Mostly they are large-scale symphonic, choral, vocal, and chamber pieces. Among them are 11 symphonies, over 20 concerti for various instruments with orchestra, vocal and choral cycles, chamber compositions (the last group includes 5 string quartets, 3 piano trios, sonatas for string instruments both solo and with piano), 10 piano sonatas, piano solo works (two sets of preludes and fugues – 24 and 34 total, Dies Irae – 39 variations). The composer was born in Kharkiv. In 1966 he completed studies at Kharkiv Conservatory, where he attended the composition class of D. Klebanov. Since 1994, he had been living in St.-Petersburg, and since 1998, in Israel where he died in 2003. Bibik’s formative period coincided with a substantive modernization of Ukrainian culture in the 1960s. During those years, members of the “Kyiv avantgarde” group (L. Hrabovsky, V. Sylvestrov, V. Godziatsky, et al.) sought to utilize modernistic idioms and techniques, such as free atonality, dodecaphony, sonoristic and aleatoric textures, cluster harmony, etc. Unlike the others, Bibik started with a more conservative style, which bore the influences of Shostakovich, Prokofiev, and Bartók. Bibik’s mature period started several years later in the early 1970s with Piano Trio No. 1 (1972) and the composition Watercolors for soprano and piano (1973). Together with his next piano work 34 Preludes and Fugues, these compositions show extremely individual features of Bibik’s style, such as: 1. Special treatment of the sound, which is considered not just a material for building certain musical structures but a self-valuable substance (Bibik has an original manner of organizing sound). Hence, timbral and textural aspects draw special attention to the composer. 2. The pitch and rhythmic structure of the themes is quite simple. A combination of several simple motives becomes the starting point of long and sophisticated development. These motives are derived from folk music, however, due to rhythmic transformation, they have lost their direct connection with the folk source. 3. Rhythmic structures areal so very simple. They often include sequences of equal rhythmic values (usually crotchets or eights). However, the composer avoids monotony dueto due to variable time signatures and permanent rubato, as well as significant flexibility in phrasing. 4. The development relies mostly on melodic and polyphonic elaboration of initial simple motives. The composer utilizes various kinds of polyphony, such as canonic imitations, various combinations of the main and supportive voices, heterophony, hyper-polyphony. In fugues he employs both traditional and new methods of thematic and tonal distribution. 5. The harmony in Bibik’s works is mostly modal, as well as a combination of modality with free atonality and extended tonality. The structure of the dense chords is close to clusters, while more transparent chords include mostly seconds and fourths (as well as their inversions). He almost never used traditional tonal harmony and chords built up from thirds, and was interested in their color aspect rather than their tonal functionalism. 6. The sonoristic texture is very important. It does not diminish the importance of the melody but gets into special collaboration with it (“singing sonority”). A special “mist” around a clear melodic line is one of Bibik’s most typical devices. Due to special “pedal” orchestration, both the line and the “surrounding” sounds become equally important. 7. Elements of limited aleatoric music may be found in his rhythm and agogics, and sometimes inpitch structures (passages and figurations with free choice of the pitches). His favorite technique is a superposition of two rhythmically and temporally independent textural layers (for instance, a combination of the viola solo and the sonoristic orchestral background in the third movement of the Fourth Symphony). 8. Sonata for mand the fugue were significantly reinterpreted within free atonality and modal harmony. These provisions are the scientific novelty of the study.

The research object is Russia’s repertory heritage including compositions for viola by the composers of the 20th century. The works are considered from the viewpoint of a direct impact on their appearance of the brightest representatives of the Russian viola school V.V.Borisovsky, F.S. Druzhinin and Yu.A. Bashmet. The analysis is based on pieces devoted to V.V. Borisovsky (Sonata for viola and Piano by V. Kryukov and S. Vasilenko, “Songs of the Dead” and Rhapsody for viola and piano by A. Veprik, A suite for viola and piano by V. Gaigerova) and to Yu.A. Bashmet (A liturgy for a large orchestra and a solo viola “Bemoaned by the Wind” and “Styx” for viola, choir and orchestra by G. Kancheli), and the works by F.S. Druzhinin (Sonata for solo viola and Variations for solo viola). The works are considered from the position of a player’s influence on the composers’ interest in the solo manifestation of viola and its gradual development. The author defines the term “character-performer” corresponding with the image of a violist of the 20th century. The author denotes the new features of solo viola repertory as a result of the work of the above mentioned violists: the acknowledgement of a uniqueness of a viola voice, the establishment of a viola as a bright concert instrument, the expansion of a used range of a viola, the revelation of a mystic component of a viola timbre, the definition of a unique unifying ability of a viola timbre, a full technical liberation of an instrument, and the need for a co-author thinking of a player.   

Given the chronological separation of Mozart's final piano concertos, K. 537 and K. 595, from his extraordinary sequence of 15 piano concertos of 1782-86 (K. 413-503), it is no surprise that critics have continually stressed stylistic and affective departures from the composer's norm. But the stylistic significance of these final concertos remains fundamentally misunderstood. In spite of sharply contrasting characteristics——ostentatious virtuosity in K. 537 and carefully measured writing in K. 595——these works are, in fact, kindred spirits. In both concertos Mozart experiments with the introduction of abrupt juxtapositions of harmonically contrasting material while avoiding the outright opposition of piano and orchestral forces evident in his earlier Viennese first movements; with piano figuration, omitting it when expected or reconstituting it at important formal junctures; and with unexpected thematic and harmonic disjunctions. While Mozart's harmonic experimentation in K. 537 and 595 can be partially explained in general stylistic terms, given similarities to passages in the last three symphonies, and considered representative of the "bizarre tonal sequences" and "striking modulations" often remarked upon by Mozart's contemporaries, it cannot be attributed to a fundamental shift in the composer's "world view." Rather, the complementary nature of radicalism and innovation in the two first movements in particular——K. 537 in the orchestral and solo expositions and recapitulation and K. 595 in the development——reveals these final concertos as thoroughly pragmatic and systematic essays in stylistic reinvention.

O presente artigo – segmento de pesquisa de Pós-doutorado – pretende, por meio do estudo dos programas de concertos e da produção da crítica especializada da época investigada, realizar uma análise e uma reflexão sobre a produção pianística apresentada nas temporadas da Société Musicale Indépendante – SMI. O trabalho está fundamentado em material coletado nos acervos privados da Bibliothèque nationale de France – BnF e do Arquivo do compositor Charles Koechlin - ACK.

Paul Wittgenstein's commissioning of concertos for piano left-hand is as enviable a legacy as any performer could wish to have, centred as it is on concertos by Korngold, Franz Schmidt (who also penned for Wittgenstein a set of Concertante Variations on a theme of Beethoven with orchestra and three piano quintets), Richard Strauss, Prokofiev, Britten (his op. 21 Diversions) and Ravel. Yet the maimed pianist's quixotic attitude to the works he received is almost as remarkable. Ravel he offended by the liberties he took with the solo part, while Prokofiev's Concerto No. 4 languished unplayed for a quarter of a century, until three years after the composer's death. Yet these cases pale into insignificance compared to the treatment meted out to the concerto that Paul Hindemith wrote for Wittgensein in 1923.

The article focuses on characterizing compositional and structural peculiarities of piano concertos by F. Chopin. The research emphasis is laid on the revealed fact that the corresponding “composing center” means (V. Kholopova) function as fundamental issues in terms of creating their interpretational versions, thus, joining analytical procedures performers of the above pieces have to follow. With a view to objectivize data concerning the composing component of the Concertos e-moll and f-moll by F.Chopin, the article presents an actual comparative analysis of various perspectives as for the functional means, represented in the socalled note “schemes” of the both Concertos. It is highlighted that on the basis of the aesthetics and poetics of the style brilliant (J. N. Hummel, F. Kalkbrenner), in his Concertos F. Chopin demonstrates an individual innovative exceeding (M. Tomashevsky) of those existing standards of representing the concerto form, turning to the national character genre topicality, reconstructing that peculiar texture configuration type that makes the piano a musical instrument of a selfsufficient status. In accordance with the objective of the present research being to reveal the nature of the “composing center” means in Concertos by F. Chopin, first, the article concentrates on those life and creativity circumstances which served as determinants that had brought those musical pieces to life. It is highlighted that, on the one hand, his Concertos close the initial period of F. Chopin’s creative activities, where piano and orchestra music was dominant. On the other hand, for F. Chopin the early 1830s were the time of saying farewell to Poland, which was reflected in the deeply personal nature of the content of the both Concertos which appeared under the influence of the author’s feeling for K. Gladkovska and D. Pototska (it is the latter that the Concerto f-moll was dedicated to). It is found out that it is F. Kalkbrenner that the Concerto e-moll by F. Chopin is dedicated to, which, therefore, demonstrates his link to the epoch, to which Chopin was actually saying farewell, as well. In the present article, the subject-matter of the research is points of view of famous musicians and scholars-chopinists concerning the content and the form of the above-mentioned Concertos by Chopin. In this connection, the object of the work is our extrapolation of these data onto interpreting the composing center means as an ingredient of the corresponding performance analysis of the above pieces. Applying elements of general scientific (historic-genetic, deductive, comparative) and specific musicological (genre, style, texture, theme) gnoseological methods, we arrive at the conclusion that stylistically the composing means of the both Concertos by F. Chopin demonstrate a dual quality. On the one hand, they more than meet the requirements of the model of the modern at that time concerto virtuoso style of the epoch of transferring from Classicism to Romantism, and, on the other hand, they serve as the development of the traditions shaped up for the many-century existence of piano-concerto forms, starting with J. S. Bach, F. Couperin and W. A. Mozart with subsequently working their way to the future reconstruction of the concerto-piano style in the world practice of modern times. In terms of their composition structure the both Concertos are built according to the model of the three-part cycle of the classicist pattern with the corresponding inter-part tempo correlative ratio “fast – slow – fast”. However, F. Chopin’s content of this form is exclusively individual, integrating “a sole performance” and “deep poetic expressiveness”, “virtuosity” and “romanticism” (M. Tomashevskiy). It is emphasized that the existing points of view concerning the Concertos by F. Chopin are quite diverse in many respects. Some authors, in particular Yu. Kremlyov, point out to a certain composing style “immaturity” F. Chopin demonstrates there, admitting, at the same time, the fact of genius godsends being present in “details”. This author lays a special emphasis on the nationally peculiar sources of the music language of the Concertos, where Polish musical lexis prove to be dominant, which is especially typical of the genre final components (cracovienne). At present the above perspective concerning the both Concertos seems to be rather one-sided, which is in the focus of the monograph by M. Tomashevskiy). The Polish author regards the Concertos by F. Chopin as masterpieces of world concerto-piano literature, especially highlighting their slow parts Larghetto. It is there that Chopin’s piano expressive semantic and technique innovations are concentrated, being unique in terms of their self-sufficiency, though corresponding with orchestra accompaniment. It is no coincidence that the Concertos were the last piano-orchestra music pieces by F. Chopin, after which he composed only solo piano music. The means of the “composing center”, discovered in the Concertos, become fundamental for creating the texture-polyphonic complex based on a polygenre ontology and the technique of overlapping (S. Shkolyarenko), which implies modelling orchestra voices and colors on the piano, using solely the resources of this instrument. The both Concertos being dominant-piano oriented is also proved by the fact that F. Chopin himself considered it to be reasonable to perform them when accompanied by a string quartet, thus emphasizing the self-sufficiency of the piano constituent. Nevertheless, it did not mean any decrease of the significance of orchestra means that in the both Concertos are represented expertly, which proves wrong the quite popular idea as for F. Chopin’s not being proficient enough in the field of composing for orchestras. It is in the orchestra in the both Concertos that the theme development processes which set off the piano constituent according to the principle of double expositions as an attribute of a classical concert “contest” take place. The conducted analysis of the composition dramaturge peculiarities of the both Concertos is aimed at revealing their performance potential. It has been concluded that such qualities of the theme material of these masterpieces as their polygenre modality, polytexture, a peculiar correlative ratio of the background and the relief generate diverse versions of approaches to performing the corresponding textual content, which is determined by the dialectical correlation of the following two origins – the Chopin author’s and the interpretational performer’s ones. It has been emphasized that for performing pianists the expressive-content and the composition-technique versatility of the both Concertos by F. Chopin creates a way to individually reconstructing and reviving composition means complemented with various author’s and editors’ directions and comments. The latter form an integrative unity in terms of creating a cluster of “composing center” means, constituting still another component of the interpretational reflection and performers’ realization of the content and form of the piano Concertos by F. Chopin, building up the perspective of our further research as for the subject of the present article.

‘Frédéric Rapin: Concertos suisses pour clarinettes’. Works by HERBERT FRIES, ARMIN SCHIBLER, JEAN BINET, JEAN BALISSAT, ANDOR KOVACH and ALEXIS CHALIER. Frédéric Rapin (cl), Kammerorchester Arpeggione Hohenems c. Jean-François Antonioli. Musiques Suisses Grammont Portrait MGB CTS-M 80.‘Musik in Luzern: Kammermusik Duo Lang’. FRITZ BRUN: Sonata No. 1 for Violin and Piano. THÜRING BRÄM: Album ‘Goodbye Seventies’. With works by MENDELSSOHN and RACHMANINOV. Brigitte Lang (vln), Yvonne Lang (pno). GALLO CD-1084.‘Rhapsodische Kammermusik aus der Schweiz’. ERNST LEVY: Quintet in C minor for 2 violins, viola, cello and double bass1. HERMANN SUTER: Sextet in C major for 2 violins, viola, 2 cellos and double bass2. FRANK MARTIN: Rhapsodie for 2 violins, 2 violas and double bass3. Florian Kellerhals, Stefan Häussler (vlns), 2,3Nicolas Corti, 1,3Bodo Friedrich (vlas), Imke Frank, 2Matthias Kuhn (vcs), Andreas Cincera (db). Musiques Suisses MGB CD 6201.HERMANN SUTER: Symphony in D minor. HANS JELMOLI: Three Pieces for Orchestra from the comic opera Sein Vermächtnis. Moscow Symphony Orchestra c. Adriano. Sterling CDS-1052-2.

A study of Johann Christian Bach's keyboard music prompts the obvious and important question: which of his sonatas and concertos were composed for harpsichord, and which for the piano? (Indeed, did he think of them as two distinct instruments at all?) And what sort of pianos did he have available on the occasions when he played them in public? Did he really play his ‘Solo on the Piano Forte’ at the Thatched House on 2 June 1768 (in a concert that consisted mainly of orchestral music) on a little Zumpe square, or was he already using a prototype English grand? When were these various models of piano first made in London, and what musical use did other composers and performers, as well as J. C. Bach, make of them?

The present paper approaches a part of the vast creation of a musician of certain value, to whom generations of players have a moral duty. The analyses of Wilhelm Berger’s sonatas for viola come to the help of those set on the road of an interpretative effort projected over these opuses. The purpose of this brief research is to investigate several elements of the metamorphosis of the compositional phenomenon in two of Wilhelm Georg Berger’s works: The Sonata for viola and piano op. 3 (1957) and the Sonata for solo viola op. 35 (1968). The particular way of processing the musical material originates from his analytical and philosophical thinking. Berger’s compositional technique preserves the principles of the sonata genre structure in both works, using a totally different musical language in the Sonata Solo, 11 years later. The ethos of the music changes, therefore a series of instrumental techniques corresponding to musical expressions encountered in the text are proposed for a better understanding and performing Berger’s music.

В статье рассматривается «Неоконченная» соната для альта и фортепиано d-moll М. И. Глинки в контексте истории альтового исполнительства в русской и зарубежной музыкальной культуре XVIII–XIX веков. Автор уделяет внимание творчеству К. Стамица, И. Е. Хандошкина и М. И. Глинки – композиторов, расширивших функциональную область применения альта, представив его в качестве солирующего концертного инструмента. The article considers the “Unfinished” Sonata for Viola and Piano by M. I. Glinka in D minor in the context of the history of viola performance in Russian and foreign musical culture of the 18th – 19th centuries. The author pays attention to the works of C. Stamitz, I. E. Khandoshkin and M. I. Glinka – the very composers who expanded the functional scope of use of the viola as a solo concert instrument.

The present article is devoted to the general characteristics of the historical process of the formation of the sonata for the trombone (or with the participation of the trombone) in the European music of the Renaissance – Early Classicism era. A particular attention in the research has been paid to the study of the national stylistic, which was the main driving force in the evolution of the trombone at the level of the chamber instrumental and concert genres. It has been noted that since the time of A. Willaert and A. and J. Gabrieli brothers, the trombone and trombone consorts have been the permanent components of the concerts da chiesa, and later – da camera. Due to its construction and melodic-declamatory nature of the sounding, the trombone was in good agreement with both the voices of the choir and other instruments. Gradually, along with collective (concert) varieties of trombone sonatas, solo sonatas with bass began to appear, and they reflected the practice of the Baroque-era concert style. The article reviews a number of trombone sonatas of the Italian, Czech, Austro-German schools, which later became the model for composers of the Newest Time, who fully revealed the possibilities of the trombone semantics and techniques in the sonata genre. The article has noted that the formation of the instrumental sonata in Europe was associated with the practice of concerts in the church, which was for a long time practically the only place where academic music could be performed. The term “sonata” was understood then as the music intended for the instrumental performance, which, however, was closely connected with the vocal one. Therefore, the first samples of sonatas with the participation of the trombone were mixed vocal-instrumental compositions created by the representatives of the Venetian school of the second half of the 16th century – A. Willaert and A. and J. Gabrieli brothers. It has been noted that the key and largely “landmark” composition opening the chronicle of a concert sonata with the participation of trombones was the sonata called “Piano e forte” (1597), where the functions of trombone voices are already beginning to the counterpoint independence, rather than to duplicating the vocal ones. G. Gabrieli is the creator of one of the most large-scale, this time exclusively trombone compositions – “Canzon Quarti Toni” for 12 trombones, cornet and violin – one of the first trombone ensembles based on the genre of canzone as the progenitor of all the baroque instrumental-concert forms. It has been emphasized that among Italian masters of the subsequent period (the early Baroque), the trombone received a great attention from C. Monteverdi, who in his concert opuses used it as the substitute for viola da brazzo (three pieces from the collection called “Vespro della Beata Vergine”). It is noted that in the era of the instrumental versioning, when compositions were performed by virtually any instrumental compound, the trombone was already distinguished as an obligate instrument capable of competing with the cello. Sonata in D minor Op. 5 No. 8 by A. Corelli is considered a model of such a “double” purpose. It has been proved that the Italian schools of the 16th – 17th centuries, which played the leading role in the development of the sonata and concert instrumentalism, mainly the stringed and brass one and the brass one as well, were complemented by the German and Austrian ones. Among the masters of the latter one can distinguish the figure of G. Schütz, who created “Fili mi, Absalon” for the trombone quartet and basso-continuo, where trombones are interpreted as instruments of cantilena sounding, which for a long time determines their use in opera and symphonic music, not to mention the sonata genre (introductions and slow parts). Along with the chamber sonata, which was written in the Italian style, German and Austrian masters of the 17th century turn to “tower music” (Tower music), creating their own opuses with almost obligatory participation of one or several trombones. Among such compositions there are the collection by G. Reich called “Quatricinua” of 24 tower sonatas (1696) for the cornet and three trombones, where, modelled on A. Corelli’s string-and-bow sonatas, the plays of a homophonic and polyphonic content are combined. The article notes that the creation of a solo sonata with bass for the trombone was historically associated with the Czech composing school of the second half of the 17th century. The first sample of such composition is the Sonata for the trombone and the thorough-bass (1669), written by a certain monk from the monastery of St. Thomas in Bohemia, where the instrument is shown in a wide range of its expressive possibilities. A significant contribution to the development of a trombone sonata was made by the Czech composer of the late 17th century P. Y. Veyvanovsky, who created a number of sonatas, which, despite the typical for that time performing versioning (trombone or viola da brazzo), were a milestone in the development of the genre in question. The traditions of the trombone sonata-quality genre in its three main expressions – da chiesa, da camera, “tower music” – have been preserved for a certain time in the era of Classicism. This is evidenced, for example, by F. Schneider’s 12 “Tower sonatas” for 2 pipes and 3 trombones (1803–1804). In general, in the classic-romantic era in the evolution of the trombone sonata genre there is a “pause”, which refers to both its collective and solo varieties. The true flourishing of the trombone sonata appeared only in the Newest time (from the end of the 19th century), when the instrumental music of a concert-chamber type declared itself not only as the one demanded by the public, but also as the leading, “title” field of creativity of a number of the leading composers. Among the instruments involved in the framework of the “new chamber-ness” (B. Asafiev) was also the trombone, one of the recognized “soloists” and “ensemblers” of the music from the past eras. The conclusions of the article note that the path travelled by the sonata for the trombone (or with the participation of the trombone) shows, on the one hand, the movement of the instrument to the solo quality and autonomy within the framework of “little-ensemble” chamber-ness (the sonata duet or the solo sonata without any accompaniment), on the other hand, the sustainable preservation of the ensemble origins of this genre (the trombone ensemble, sometimes in combination with other representatives of the brass group).

Late eighteenth-century writings bear witness to Mozart's extraordinary skills as a performer-composer. But this dual status has yet to exert a serious influence on our understanding of Mozart's piano concertos. An examination of changes to the autograph scores of his Viennese works catches him in the act of negotiating performance needs as soloist and compositional needs as author. His acute attention to detail and his intense personal involvement and commitment – evident in written testimony and in alterations to the autographs – reveal a performer-composer intent on harnessing very specific musical events (sounds, timbres, instrumental and solo effects) to more general ends that ultimately invite listeners to perceive performance and composition as mutually reinforcing features of a complete musical experience. Modern performers trying to recreate the performer-composer experience – soloists and orchestral instrumentalists alike – are thus encouraged to put sounds, textures and effects centre stage in their own interpretations of Mozart's concertos.

Introduction. In recent years, there has been indefatigable interest of scholars in the concerto genre, and that can be proven by constantly appearing research article and dissertation, devoted to it. For example, in 2017 and 2019 candidate dissertation [Ph. D] have been published, that illuminated previously obscure pages of, respectively, French tradition of this genre, embodied in concertos for various instruments with orchestra by C. Saint-Saëns, and AustroGerman of the first decades of XIX century (including those by J. N. Hummel, I. Moscheles, F. Ris). Expansion of the knowledge about this genre in historical aspect is accompanied by refinements and changes of viewpoints on its essence, that allows, in particular, to comprehend the phenomenon of intersection of different traits of a symphony, a concerto and an ensemble in composers’ activity of XX – beginning of XXI century. A presumption is made, that between these stated genres there is some kind of interlocutor, that is dialogism. At the same time, it is noted, that various types of a dialogue in given work do not lead inevitably to some “mix” or ambivalence, but can contribute to realisation of the potential of the concerto genre. The last one can be applied to the Piano concertos by J. Brahms. Objectives. The goal of the given article is to reveal signs of chamberness in genre-stylistic field of Piano concertos by Johannes Brahms. Results and discussion. In spite of widely disseminated opinion that they belong to predominately orchestral type or even are “symphonies with piano obligato” (Kuznetsov, 1980; Beyer, 1897), they reveal influence of another essential characteristics of the genre, including chamberness. This can be explained either by classicism of J. Brahms’s composer style, who has always orientated towards tradition of his times or by integrativity, that is an iconic trait of late-Romantic music. The examples are given of grand-scale symphonic conceptions deriving from primal ensemble ideas. It is noted, that while the understanding of the genre’s nature remains stable, in each Concerto the proportion of symphonism, concertoness and chamberness is singular due to a significant time interval passing between them and noticeable difference in level of composer’s maturity. Both Concertos reveal the following attributes of chamberness: frequent usage of separate orchestra groups, eventual appearance of “ensemble of soloists” on the background of certain groups or without any accompaniment, significant dramaturgic role played by solos of the piano either slightly supported by sparse instruments while their parts are rather scattered or absolutely unaccompanied. It is stressed that regarding playing piano one should not equate one performer with one part as there are parts of right and left hands and dialogues appearing between them (Polskaya, 2001). On the other side, mono-pianistic expression doesn’t necessarily coincide with a monologue, as self-comprehension of a personality can be marked by a significant dialogism and even conflict (Misitova, 2004). The Piano concertos by J. Brahms can serve as an example for the last observation as appearances of the soloist (chiefly, solo) create additional thread of dramaturgy, sometimes governing the development of music and its images. In the First concerto, given its allusions to the Baroque era, one can discern frequent usage of chamber, sometimes exclusively string orchestra. It is pointed out that initial image of Maestoso, that is supposed to be portrayed by sonority of the accentuated brass group as it has tremendous and formidable mood, is in fact embodied by strings with occasional illuminations of another groups. In Adagio the archi section also plays the leading role, being in dialogue with two bassoons in the first orchestral episode, later entering compassionate dialogue with the piano. In both movements the full orchestra is used only in the climactic moments, often with the soloist involved. And the Finale is the only movement where the semantics of the competition and festivities of the masses urges the composer to use entire orchestra. The logic of changes of emotional states in the solo part is quite clear. It is a personification of a “lyrical hero”, who is in a state of an inner dialogue, and that engenders a conflict situation, largely contributing to the dramatism of further events in the music. Employments of the ensemble are sporadic and are usually illuminated by a background of the orchestra. In Second concerto, while the strategy of chamberness of orchestra and raising the significance of the soloist remains stable, on the contrary, different means of ensemble communication are developed, including those involving “satellite” instruments. Their activity is revealed in the very first bars of Allegro non troppo, where French horn and piano resemble quiet and leisurely conversation. This duet in its further appearances marks the borders of large chapters of the structure, therefore acquiring compositional significance. Ensemble qualities are intrinsic for Andante from this Concerto, where another soloist appears, singled out from the group of cellos, and later oboe, clarinets make their entrance, and the score turns into sheer dialogue of soloists. Conclusions. Comparison of two Piano concertos by J. Brahms allows to state that composer simultaneously has firm understanding of this genre and favours different traits of chamberness in each of them. In the latter one “satellite” timbres are used, ensemble structures are more significant. And this paves the way for ensemble differentiation of the orchestra, that can be regarded as one of the first portents of modern understanding of concerto genre and abovementioned processes of “mixing”.

Background. А history of the development of the human community is at the same time a history of the relationship between men and women, their role in society, in formation of mindset, development of science, technology and art. A woman’s path to the recognition of her merits is a struggle for equality and inclusion in all sectors of public life. Originated with particular urgency in the twentieth century, this set of problems gave impetus to the study of the female phenomenon in the sociocultural space. In this context, the disclosure of the direct contribution of talented women to art and their influence on its development has become of special relevance. The purpose of the article is to summarize segmental of information that highlights the contribution of women to the treasury of world art, their creative and inspiring power. Analytical, historical-biographical and comparative studying methods were applied to reveal the gender relationships in art and the role of woman in them as well as in the sociocultural space in general. The results from this study present a panorama of gifted women from the world of art and music who paved the way for future generations. Among them are: A. Gentileschi (1593–1653), who was the first woman admitted to The Florence Academy of Art; M. Vigee Le Brun (1755–1842), who painted portraits of the French aristocracy and later became a confidant of Marie-Antoinette; B. Morisot (1841–1895), who was accepted by the impressionists in their circle and repeatedly exhibited her works in the Paris Salon; F. Caccini (1587–1640), who went down in history as an Italian composer, teacher, harpsichordist, author of ballets and music for court theater performances; J. Kinkel (1810–1858) – the first female choral director in Germany, who published books about musical education, composed songs on poems of famous poets, as well as on her own texts; F. Mendelssohn (1805–1847) – German singer, pianist and composer, author of cantatas, vocal miniatures of organ preludes, piano pieces; R. Clark (1886–1979) – British viola player and composer who created trio, quartets, compositions for solo instruments, songs on poems of English poets; L. Boulanger (1893–1918) became the first woman to receive Grand Prix de Rome; R. Tsekhlin (1926–2007) – German harpsichordist, composer and teacher who successfully combined the composition of symphonies, concerts, choral and vocal opuses, operas, ballets, music for theatrical productions and cinema with active performing and teaching activities, and many others. The article emphasise the contribution of women-composers, writers, poetesses to the treasury of world literature and art. Among the composers in this row is S. Gubaidulina (1931), who has about 30 prizes and awards. She wrote music for 17 films and her works are being performed by famous musicians around the world. The glory of Ukrainian music is L. Dychko (1939) – the author of operas, oratorios, cantatas, symphonies, choral concertos, ballets, piano works, romances, film music. The broad famous are the French writers: S.-G. Colette (1873–1954), to which the films were devoted, the performances based on her novels are going all over the world, her lyrics are being studied in the literature departments. She was the President of the Goncourt Academy, Chevalier of the Legion of Honour, a square in the center of Paris is named after her. Also, creativity by her compatriot, L. de Vilmorin (1902–1969), on whose poems С. Arrieu, G. Auric, F. Poulenc wrote vocal miniatures, is beloved and recognized as in France as and widely abroad. The article denotes a circle of women who combined the position of a selfsufficient creator and a muse for their companion. M. Verevkina (1860–1938) – a Russian artist, a representative of expressionism in painting, not only helped shape the aesthetic views of her husband A. Yavlensky, contributing to his art education, but for a long time “left the stage” for to not compete with him and help him develop his talent fully. Furthermore, she managed to anticipate many of the discoveries as for the use of light that are associated with the names of H. Matisse, A. Derain and other French fauvist. F. Kahlo (1907–1954), a Mexican artist, was a strict critic and supporter for her husband D. Rivera, led his business, was frequently depicted in his frescoes. C. Schumann (1819–1896) was a committed promoter of R. Schumann’s creativity. She performed his music even when he was not yet recognized by public. She included his compositions in the repertoire of her students after the composer lost his ability to play due to the illness of the hands. She herself performed his works, making R. Schumann famous across Europe. In addition, Clara took care of the welfare of the family – the main source of finance was income from her concerts. The article indicates the growing interest of the twentieth century composers to the poems of female poets. Among them M. Debord-Valmore (1786–1859) – a French poetess, about whom S. Zweig, P. Verlaine and L. Aragon wrote their essays, and her poems were set to music by C. Franck, G. Bizet and R. Ahn; R. Auslender (1901–1988) is a German poetess, a native of Ukraine (Chernovtsy city), author of more than 20 collections, her lyrics were used by an American woman-composer E. Alexander to write “Three Songs” and by German composer G. Grosse-Schware who wrote four pieces for the choir; I. Bachmann (1926–1973) – the winner of three major Austrian awards, author of the libretto for the ballet “Idiot” and opera “The Prince of Hombur”. The composer H. W. Henze, in turn, created music for the play “Cicadas” by I. Bachmann. On this basis, we conclude that women not only successfully engaged in painting, wrote poems and novels, composed music, opened «locked doors», destroyed established stereotypes but were a powerful source of inspiration. Combining the roles of the creator and muse, they helped men reach the greatest heights. Toward the twentieth century, the role of the fair sex representatives in the world of art increased and strengthened significantly, which led Western European culture to a new round of its evolution.

Since the second half of the XXth century intertextuality has become a key feature of musical culture, bringing together compositions of different epochs, traditions, styles and authors. In this regard, the text of a masterpiece acquires special significance. Being an open and mobile system, it enters into various dialogues with the whole set of stylistic and genre forms of modern music. The article considers the work "Five Reflections on the Theme of the 2018th Caprice of Paganini" (61) for viola, five solo violins and chamber orchestra by the Russian composer Kuzma Bodrov. The concept of the work is based on the author's dialogue with outstanding compositions for violin of the XIXth and XXth centuries: concertos by Beethoven (D-dur Op. 77), Brahms (D-dur Op. 35), Tchaikovsky (D-dur Op. 1), Prokofiev (No. 19 D-dur Op. 24) and Berg ("To the Memory of an Angel"). Herewith, the key role in the composition is given to Paganini's Caprice for solo violin (No. 1 a-moll Op. XNUMX), which is treated as a universal lexical model. In the process of reinterpretation, masterpieces receive a new original reading and become part of modernity.

In the musical output of the modern Danish composer Bent Sørensen, the genre of the instrumental concerto occupies the leading position. The composer has written eight concertos, as well as a number of orchestral works in which particular solo instruments stand out. Based on their analysis, the article reveals the composer’s approach to this genre and the possibility of maintaining it. One of the characteristic features of Sørensen’s concerto works is the programmatic quality. The composer’s works are united by common themes of decay, disappearance, as well as reflection of musical culture, which leads to a saturation of the musical material by means of various stylistic allusions. The unified conceptual sphere gives rise to the phenomenon of connections between different musical works in the output of the Danish composer, while the stylistic juxtapositions, as well as the contrasts of the heterogeneous material in terms of timbre and texture embody the principle of dialogue, which is characteristic of the genre of the concerto. The programmatic quality determines the variety of compositional solutions of Sørensen’s concertos, in which connection, it is proposed to differentiate all of his compositions into two categories: one is represented by compositional models that preserve or revise the concerto form (for example, the Violin Concerto, the Clarinet Concerto, the Third Piano Concerto), and the other demonstrates models, each one focusing on an individual project (for example, the First Piano Concerto, the Accordion Concerto, the Harpsichord Concerto, etc.). In the latter case, elements of instrumental theater are often introduced into the concerto genre. One specific means of dramaturgy in Sørensen’s concerto opuses is the technique of transformation of the timbre and acoustics of the sound sphere, which involves changing the means of playing, the instruments or the sound sources (for example, a transition of the functioning of the orchestral musicians to singing and playing harmonicas in the Accordion Concerto, the transition from playing tremolo to creating sounds on sandpaper blocks in the composition Mignon — Papillons, the substitution of acoustic sound with tape recording in the Clarinet Concerto). The provided analysis allows us to arrive at the conclusion that the sphere of the instrumental concerto forms a single musical-semantic space in Sørensen’s musical output, which is endowed with its own personal characteristic features.

The relevance of the study. It consists in considering the concerto in A minor op. 15 by Edward MacDowell not only in the context of the author's artistic evolution, but also as the beginning of the history of the American branch of the genre. Written in 1882, it became the composer's first large-scale work and, at the same time, the first piano concerto composed by an American. The main objective of the study is to identify the genre models by which MacDowell created his First Concerto, and to mark the composer's intended prospects for the further development of the American piano concerto. The methodology includes biographical (to find out the circumstances of MacDowell's life and education in the European period), comparative (to reveal the continuity of the concert in question in relation to previous samples of the genre), as well as structural-functional, genrestylistic and intonational-dramatic methods (for a comprehensive analysis of the work). Results and conclusions. It is emphasized that MacDowell's First piano concert was influenced by the European traditions learned by the young composer during his years in France and Germany. The vicissitudes of MacDowell's education are traced in detail, the names of his teachers and musicians with whom he communicated directly and whose work he admired are indicated, and his repertoire as a pianist is given. The compositional and thematic organization of the First piano concert is analyzed, attention is focused on the figurative and stylistic origins of this music, on the genre models that served as a reference point in MacDowell's work. The ratio of instrumental parts and methods of soloing are highlighted separately. It is concluded that when writing the concert, the novice composer strongly relied on the developed European tradition of interpretation of the genre. In particular, the investigation noted the parallels in the structure of the cycle with the Schumann’s and Grieg’s concertos, revealed the influence of Liszt's pianism on the features of the solo part, and emphasized the striving to balance the sound of the piano and the orchestra, mainly through their alternate juxtaposition. A certain eclecticism of the figurative and stylistic coloring of MacDowell's concerto is indicated (SaintSaëns’s scherzo traits, Mendelssohn’s peacefulness, Liszt’s imposingness, Beethoven’s effectiveness), the similarity of some harmonic turns with Liszt’s and Wagner’s writing styles is noted, the continuity of MacDowell’s motivic and contrapuntal work in relation to the instructions from his teacher Raff is substantiated. These findings highlight that, despite the well-perceived influences and the borrowing of quite specific compositional and dramaturgical techniques, the music of MacDowell's First piano concerto already clearly shows an individual authorial principle, which manifests itself in a number of pianistic techniques, in a masterful combination of contrasting images, in the balancing between simplicity and sophistication, pathos and poetics. The considered work testifies to the unconditional composer’s talent and independent thinking of the future founder of American music.

Ch.-M. Widor (1844–1937) inscribed his name in the history of French music primarily as an author of organ works (10 Organ Symphonies, 1872–1900, in particular). But other genre branches of his creativity (symphonic, chamber-instrumental, chamber-vocal, operatic, choral) remains less famous for wide public. This quite vast layer is mostly not studied in musical science. However, at the recent time the interest is somewhat growing both among musicologists (A. Thomson, E. Krivitskaya, M. R. Bundy), and among the performers, which confi rms the relevance of this article. The objectives of this study are to consider compositions by Ch.-M. Widor (Piano Concerto No.1, Fantasy, Piano Concerto No.2) both in terms of features of individual creator style and context of concert branch history in France. Information about works is supplemented by the analysis of the basic musical text parameters. Ch.-M. Widor graduated the Brussels Conservatory, where he was studied from 1859 to 1863 – in classes of organ (J.-N. Lemmens) and composition (F.-J. Fetis). At 1860s, the young man was visiting Paris. Soon he was acquainted with C. Saint-Saens, which infl uenced Ch.-M. Widor not only in terms of his executive career turn, but also was etalon of instrumental writing. It seems that the writing of instrumental Concertos for violin (ор. 26, 1877), cello (ор. 41, 1877), and piano (ор. 39, 1876) in many ways is owed by C.Saint-Saens and the impulse to French music of the 1870s given by him. Piano Concerto No.1 f-moll by Ch.-M.Widor was well appreciated by the contemporaries of the composer. In fi rst movement (Allegro con fuoco) the active narrative is combining with predominantly lyrical mood. It passes in constant pulsation without any whimsical tempo deviations, as well as without cadenza using. Contemplative and philosophical meditations are concentrated at the second movement (Andante religioso). The exposition of ideas is embodied in oppositions of characters, concentrated and depth in front of light and joyous. By the way, a little similar can be found in Andante sostenuto quasi adagio of Piano Concerto No.1 (published in 1875) by C. Saint-Saens. The cycle is crowned with a lively scherzo fi nal with elegant dotted rhythm using. On the whole we can say that the Piano Сoncerto No.1 by Ch.-M. Widor purposefully continues the traditions of C. Saint-Saens. This is noticeable in the clarity of the structure, emphatic melody, and also in some specifi c features – the avoidance of long-term solo cadenzas and the absence of expanded orchestra tutti’s, as well as the laconicism of development section at the fi rst movement. Echoes of F. Liszt and C. Franck can be heard in Fantasy As-dur op. 62 for piano and orchestra (1889, dedicated to I. Philipp). Ch.-M. Widor shows interest in this genre type as many other French authors at 1880–1890s. In work there are many counterpoint and variation elements, which is due to author’s mastery of organ-polifonic writing. In our opinion, eclectic combinations of the main subject in the spirit of F. Liszt – R. Wagner with oriental saucy theme at the end of composition are quite in the style of C. Saint-Saens. Piano Concerto No.2 c-moll (1905) is standing out with its clear attachment to the late-romantic line. It is somewhat out of the general context of genre existence in France, especially when comparing with signifi cantly more traditional Piano Concertos by B. Godard (No.2, 1894), C. Saint-Saens (No.5, 1896), T. Dubois (No.2, 1897), A. Gedalge (1899), J. Massenet (1902). This manifests itself in appeal to fateful gloomy spirit, abundance of dark paints in the sound, the complication of the tonal-harmonic language, increased expressivity, psychologization. Here are found more fi ne-tooth application of timbre orchestral potential (in comparison with the Piano Concerto No.1), as well as increasing of orchestra importance upon the whole. This is paradoxical, but its performing tradition has developed not in the best way, so that nowadays this remarkable work is very rarely heard at concert halls. In our time, the author’s creativity is a real terra incognita that encompasses a lot of hidden masterpieces. Results of the research bring to light that examined works by composer are outstanding illustrations of French romantic music. Ch.-M. Widor is an example of original talent that continues the late Romanticism line in France at the end of 19th and fi rst third of the 20th century, together with other authors – L. Vierne, V. d’Indy, A. Magnard, F. Schmitt. His works for piano and orchestra quite deserve to become on a par with recognized masterpieces, included in the concert repertoire of pianists and orchestras by different countries of the world. The perspectives of the further research are defi ned in more detailed analytical labors, including the extension of analysis over Violin Concerto op. 26 and Cello Concerto op. 41 by author. The learning of these works will allow to complement the history of the concert genre of French Romanticism with new details, that will enable to see the evidence of succession and the vitality of traditions.

Statement of the problem. The creative output of American composer Morton Feldman (1926–1987) is a unique phenomenon that stands out from the overall musical context. With each passing year, there is a growing interest in the composer’s personality and work, leading to an increase in performances and the emergence of more monographs. A significant work in Morton Feldman’s repertoire is the cycle of miniatures for viola titled «The Viola in my Life». However, this cycle remains the only instance where the viola timbre is used as the leading voice. Therefore, «The Viola in my Life» can be seen as both a unique example in the composer’s body of work in terms of the choice of the solo instrument and as a transitional piece from indeterminacy to clear fixation. Thus, the question of the uniqueness of timbral representation and the role of the viola in Morton Feldman’s later works arises, explaining the choice of this subject matter. Analysis of recent research and publications. The article’s theme encompasses sources that investigate the timbral semantics and development of timbral characteristics in viola sound within works of various musical styles and genres (H. Kosenko, 2018; E. Kuprianenko, 2010; A. Gorodetsky, 2019; M. Udovichenko, 2022). The question of viola timbral representation is also explored in articles by the author of the proposed article. The theoretical advancements of contemporary musical hermeneutics and interpretology are methodologically combined with research that illuminates various aspects of Morton Feldman’s creativity: annotations by the composer himself in the score (Feldman, 1972), works by D. Cline (Cline, 2016), M. Majmon (Majmon, 2005), V. Terrazas (Terrazas, 2014), B. Varga, K. Villars (Varga, Villars, 2019). Considering that the research is closely related to the study of the concept of «late period of creativity», it is worth mentioning N. Savitska’s fundamental work, «Chronos of Compositional Life-Creation» (Savitska, 2008). The main objective of the study is to highlight the specifics of realizing the polytimbral potential of the viola in the selected work of M. Feldman as a vivid example of exploring new meanings of the instrument’s timbre. The scientific novelty. A compositional-dramaturgical analysis of the cycle of miniatures «The Viola in My Life» has been conducted, exploring the techniques of instrumental exposition and thematic material development. Based on this analysis, the fundamental characteristics of viola timbral semantics in the late works of the composer have been identified, allowing for the expansion of the inherent features of the dominant viola timbral representation. This defines the novelty of this research and its relevance to the theory and practice of viola art. Methodology. To achieve the stated goal, the methodological framework developed by the Department of Interpretology and Music Analysis at Kharkiv I. P. Kotlyarevsky National University of Arts (in terms of the phenomenology of personality) has been utilized, along with compositional-dramaturgical and semantic methods in the analysis of the works. It should be emphasized that our approach is broader than purely semantic. The performance analysis aims to describe the paths of exploring the timbral representation of the viola (which varies in each movement of the selected work by M. Feldman) as a search for new meanings in music (in accordance with the composer’s creative concept). Results. The analytical observations regarding Morton Feldman’s work «The Viola in My Life» within the scope of the proposed research were focused on documenting the parameters of the composition that led to the exploration of new qualities of the viola timbral representation as a search for new meanings in music. These explorations, in turn, manifested themselves in semantic and compositional parameters. Indeed, the development of the cycle illustrates how the role of the viola as a soloist strengthens from the first movement to the finale, progressing from filigreed monophonic passages and micro-motifs to an expansive monologue in the fourth movement. In our view, this is somehow related to the concept: despite the composer positioning the work as a sequence of “individual compositions” (Feldman, UE), the overall dramaturgy of the piece demonstrates a connection to the sonata-symphonic cycle, where the first movement serves as an extended introduction, the second exhibits traits of a scherzo with a quasi-waltz theme as the refrain in rondo form. The third movement, chamber-like in character, fulfills the role of a lyrical section, while the fourth movement assumes a “massive” character through the accumulation of significant performing resources. Simultaneously, the inheritance from symphonic dramaturgy is evident through numerous thematic connections at a distance, including the utilization of the theme from the first movement in the second movement (the “cuckoo” theme) and the viola’s thematic passage from the second movement in the third; the quasi-dance theme from the second movement reappears in the finale as the foundation of the rondo theme. The composer’s rejection of a specific compositional technique does not allow for a definitive understanding of their working method with materials. However, it does not hinder the tracing of influences from existing compositional techniques, which the selected composition illustrates. In the case of «The Viola in my Life» there are contrasting influences of serialism on one hand and repetitive minimalism on the other. Signs of serialism can be observed in the composer’s inclination to assign specific modes of articulation and thematic elements to each instrument. For example, in the first movement, the viola predominantly features sustained pedal tones with tone filigree (dynamic intensification and attenuation), the percussion utilizes tremolo rolls, the strings employ individual harmonics or chords, or pizzicato sounds, and the piano mainly employs cluster-like chords with a soft attack. As a result, the development is constructed through the constant combination of these elements in various sequences, with minimal exchange of material between different instruments. Similarly, one can trace characteristics of the repetitive principle in «The Viola in my Life» since each of its thematic elements, in their simplicity and repetitiveness, approaches a pattern within the composition. The entire presentation of material, such as in the first movement, from the initial filigreed tone of the viola to the tremolo of the large drum (bass drum), can be characterized as a set of patterns that are subsequently repeated, recombined, and varied. The composition «The Viola in my Life» illustrates a distinct but not new type of thinking. It is associated with delving into specific musical material, which, over time, leads to a breakthrough and the birth of something new. Сonclusions. In addition to the inherent characteristics of the dominant viola timbral representation, such as timbre as the primary feature in shaping the timbral representation, declamatory-narrative quality of the viola timbre, performing influence on viola timbral representation, inclination of timbre towards melancholy and romantic yearning, and the use of two elements of viola timbreregister to depict contrasting internal images, there is another equally important characteristic of viola timbral semantics – polytimbricity. The composer reveals the polytimbral potential of the viola by bringing it closer to other ensemble members.

Statement of the problem. Musical notation is an open, symbolic system of composer’s thinking. At the dry stage of its development, it becomes individualized in the creativity of a number of composers, which is thought out the development of new forms of overcoming the material through advanced piano techniques and atypical logic. The article introduces the concept of “open” musical notation as a method of musical composition. On the example of compositional analysis of his “Engravings” for piano (2021), the author sets out its principles. Analysis of recent research and publications. A number of works are devoted to the theme of notation, which can be divided into: 1) on history and typology of traditional notation (Rastall, 1983; Strayer, 2013; Ship, 2016; Kachmar, 2019); 2) non-traditional notation (Stone, 1980; Dubinets, 1999; Muzhchil, 2016). There are researches that reveal the idea of “open” work by U. Eco (1979), which corresponds to the theme of the article, among which – “From a Work to an ‘Open’ Work: Research Experience” (Zavialova & Kalashnyk & Savchenko & Stakhevuch & Smirnova,2020). Main objective(s) of the study is to identify the foundations of the composer’s thinking on the example of the cycle “Engravings” for piano and an attempt to propose a method of “open” notation, as a different way of creation. The scientific novelty is that it offers a method of musical composition, which was obtained by the author through many years of working, namely – the method of “open” musical notation. Methodology focuses on such methods of contemporary cognitivism as: genealogical – identifying the causal links between the creation of the method of “open” notation; contextual and comparative – the study of forms of existence of non-identical types of composer’s thinking; compositional and semantics – the disclosure of the principles of the structure of works in the context of the poetics of creativity. Results and conclusions. The article attempts to theoretically substantiate the method of “open” musical notation, which was used to create the author’s last opuses –“Engravings” for piano (2021) and “The Three Dead Kings” for viola solo (2022). Each type of notation used in the circles is a universe with a unique hierarchical structure, the elements of which are subject to the laws created by the author. Compositional and semantics analysis of “Engravings” reveals the positions of the method. It is manifested in the use of atypical clefs/staffs, the logic and existence of which correspond to the general idea and concepts of each part separately.

Background. The last two decades testify to the fact that the music of the Ukrainian composer S. Bortkiewicz (1877–1952) has become popular in various countries not only in Europe, but also around the world, giving birth to a so-called multilingual “Bortkiewicziana”. It would be already enough to mention the works published in German, English, Bulgarian, Dutch, Italian, Portuguese, Polish, Russian, Ukrainian and Japanese. The literature and multi-genre musical heritage left by the composer provides vast opportunities for researchers. However, many creativity aspects of the “last romanticist”, refl ected in various research projects, do not lose their relevance for contemporary musicians. Objectives. The goal of the article is to reveal the image and the stylistic peculiarities the music pieces by S. Bortkiewicz, composed for piano and orchestra. Methods. The study is based on the historical, theoretical and comparative methods of analysis, which allow to bring in critical reviews of contemporaries and researchers about S. Bortkiewicz’s music, reveal the compositional and dramatic features of his piano concerto opus, reveal the individual approach to the inherited tradition. Results. The composer’s legacy includes three Concertos and the Russian Rhapsody, created between 1910s and the fi rst half of the 1930s. The interest in this fi eld of creativity can be explained by the pianistic activity of the composer, who “started” with the Concerto Op. 1 for the favorite music instrument. Despite the fact that the author ultimately abandoned his “fi rst-born” work, judging by the Kharkiv press publications of the fi rst decade of the 20th century, he presented it to the public. Actually, 1st Concerto for piano and orchestra op. 16, B-dur (1912) bares the tradition of a three-part structure with contrasting comparison of movements. Despite the seemingly impressive appearance of the piano part, S. Bortkiewicz summarizes the best achievements of Western European and Russian music, revealing his creative individuality. While maintaining a clear delimitation and contrast between the three movements, he seals the cycle with thematic arches. He also involves the idea of a multi-episodic mood swings, revealing closeness to the poetic type of thinking. The predominance of lyrical expression in S. Bortkiewicz’s Concertos indicates the composer’s orientation to the experience of romantic culture. However, he does not seek to establish the domination of the soloist, his priority position in the concert dialogue. There is an equal parity of both parties, which is beyond the tradition of alternate duplication-development of the same material. S. Bortkiewicz does not tend to use symphonic methods either, handling the contrast technique and as a means of creating dramatic collisions that move the process forward, and as one of the most effective methods of development. The composer uses the entire arsenal of pianistic techniques, except for the passage technique of style brilliant. The principles of a poem found their further implementation in the 3rd Piano Concerto, Op. 32, c-moll, entitled “Per aspera ad astra” (“Through thorns to the stars”), which is a single-cyclic music piece, referring to the works of F. Liszt. The choice of compositional and dramatic solution is determined by the artistic idea. It also brings into existence the intonation, the mode and tonal, and the texture allusions that give birth to vivid imaginative associations and ideas about deep semantic connections that relate composers from different eras to each other. The combination of different style phenomena, based on the commonality of their context, the activation of associative relations, the free application of accumulated experience reveal the composer’s modern thinking, an active search for new approaches to the established tradition, refl ecting the polystylistic tendencies in the music of the 20th century. Russian Rhapsody for piano with orchestra op. 45, a-moll is a concentrated expression of the “folk” line in the works of S. Bortkiewicz. It summarizes the specifi c features of the composer’s large-scale music pieces: the multi-episode structure based on contrasting material, and the purposefulness of the dramatic process, ensuring an active movement to the unfolded “fi nal” climax; the suite structure that appears from the change of the whole expressive means complex on the borders of the sections; and the refrain structure that builds the “frame” of the contrast composite form; the principle of “threading” themes that are different in emotional content, and the gradual consolidation of the main imagery sphere through the extrusion of the previously using thematic ideas. For the Russian rhapsody, using the fresco principles of writing, the larges-cale and brightness of the instrumental palette is typical. These properties bear the imprint of individuality that is common to Bortkiewicz, since the solo piano is considered as one of the equal participants in the orchestra. The 2nd Concerto op. 28 for the left hand (1924), at fi rst glance, stands somewhat apart from similar works by the composer. However, the composer does not limit himself in his choice of pianistic methods. Instead, he uses the whole complex of technical and expressive means: the fi gurative movement, octaves, hidden two-voice theme with the typical “landscape – background” texture, dialog cross-talks, fullness of timbre and register space, a variety of playing techniques that help to reveal the imagery and the emotional content. Conclusions. Large cyclical genres demonstrate the creative approach of S. Bortkiewicz to the established patterns, which can be seen through the specifi c interpretation of the sonata form and the cycle as a whole, in using the technique of variation and the poem principles, the dynamization of the dramatic process and the relative completeness in each section of the form, the mode and harmonic freedom within the construction elements and overall tonal balance. To concretize the imagery world and the artistic idea of a music piece, the composer makes extensive use of genre and style allusions and the quoted material.

Background. The peculiarities of the worldview and philosophy of modern contradictory era put forward before the art new requirements and benchmarks, which the Postmodern aesthetics embodies. The phenomenon of «Postmodernism» covers different levels of contemporary life. In philosophy, this concept was first introduced by J.-F. Lyotard in his report «The status of postmodernism». The French philosopher revealed the essence of Postmodernism consisting in «awareness of diversity and pluralism of forms of rationality, activity of life, as well as the recognition of this diversity as a natural positive state» [2], and defined Postmodernism as «the general direction of modern European culture, formed in 1970–80-es» [2]. Now there is no single definition of «postmodern», probably, due to the incompleteness, continuity of formation of this phenomenon. Some philosophers, in particular, J. Habermas, D. Bell and Z. Bauman, consider postmodernism as the result of politics and ideology of neo-conservatism, which is characterized by aesthetic eclecticism [3]. Italian philosopher and writer U. Eco understands postmodernism as a process of changing one cultural era to another, perceiving it as «... the answer to modernism: since the past cannot be destroyed, because its destruction leads to dumbness, it needs to be rethought, ironically, without naivety» [5: 77]. This approach most accurately reveals the essence of postmodern art. In the field of aesthetics, the work of F. Jameson, «Postmodernism or The cultural logic of late capitalism», where postmodernism is represented as a «cultural dominant» is quite indicative. The philosopher defines such typical phenomenon of postmodern culture as a simulacrum, weakening of affects, the consequence of which is «the replacement of alienation of the subject by its fragmentation» [1: 105], the disappearance of the individual subject and the emergence on this basis of the practice of pastiche [1: 108], the loss of historicity. In musicology, the question of the essence of postmodernism has not yet received a sufficient scientific basis. From the latest works of Ukrainian researchers, in our opinion, it is disclosed most complete in the D. Ruzhinsky’s article “Specificity of the manifestation of postmodernism in musical creativity” [4]. The object of presented research is the specificity of postmodernism manifestations in an art; the subject of research are the postmodern landmarks in the individual style of outstanding Canadian pianist and composer M.-A Hamelin. The purpose of the article is to reveal the interrelation of the composer’ and performing style by M.-A. Hamelin with the aesthetic paradigms of Postmodernism. The methodological basis of the research consists of the concepts of postmodern philosophy and aesthetics presented in the works of J. Habermas, D. Bell, Z. Bauman. U. Eco, F. Jameson. For more full understanding of specificity of the postmodern traits implementation in M.-A. Hamelin’s activity, the “creative portrait” genre as well as analyses of some fragments of his music was used. Presenting the main material. The art of postmodernism reflects a fundamentally new attitude to the process of creativity, which includes of such typical features as 1) quoting or using famous plots, which are the realities of the culture of previous eras; 2) intertextuality; 3) the prevalence of the audience interpretation over the composer’s idea, when the author’s position is not decisive (according to M. Foucault, “the death of the author”); 4) syncretism; 5) the irony and the parody-game designing of works. The creativity of Marc-André Hamelin (b.1961) – the world-renowned Canadian virtuoso pianist and composer – is one of the brightest personifications of these principles, as well as their individual understanding. In 1985, he won the First prize at the competition at Carnegie hall, with which he began his ascent to the musical Olympus as a performer. To date, M.-A. Hamelin, an outstanding pianist and soloist, performs with many leading world orchestras, and his discography total more than 60 albums, including both his own works and the works of many composers of different genres and eras. In addition to intensive performance and interpretation activities, the Canadian artist is also engaged in composition, and his artistic search is concentrated mainly within the framework of piano music, which is quite natural. Among the works for piano solo the transcriptions can be identified, such as the “Etude-fantasy ‘Flight of the bumblebee’” by Rimsky-Korsakov (1987), “Waltz-minute, in seconds” (transcription of Chopin’s waltz). Another group of works ‒ miniatures are, for example, the “Little Nocturne” (2007), “Preamble to the imaginary piano Symphony” (1989), “My impressions about chocolate” (2014); the cycles of miniatures – “Con intimissimo sentimento” (1986–2000); the larger-scale pieces – “Barcarolle” (2013), “Chaconne” (2013). The composer wrote the three cycles of variations and the cadenzas for piano concertos by Mozart (K453 and 491), for the Fourth piano Concerto by Beethoven, the Third and Fourth Concertos by Haydn and The second Hungarian Rhapsody by Liszt. In addition to the solo piano music, the composer turned to the chamber genre (“Fanfare” for three trumpets, “Passacaglia”» for piano quintet, «Four perspectives» for cello and piano). His style is characterized by the frequent using of thematic material from the works by other composers of different eras. From the very beginning, Hamelin rethinks this material, not introducing it in its original form, but transforming it. For example, in the “Variations on The theme of Paganini” the theme of the Twenty-fourth Caprice is already “modernized”: maintaining the harmonic basis of it, the author adds the non-chords sounds and the remark to tempo, which notes that the theme should be played “with a groove”, as it is typical for salsa, rock and fusion style. Interpretations of the quoted material are not in the original, but in its creative processing can see although in the Seventh variation with the theme of the Third variation of Sonata No. 30 by Beethoven. Another typical feature of postmodernism of the Canadian artist’s work is manifested in a certain game with the listener, because to catch all the allusions, to understand the quotes and styles of different eras, he must be intellectually well prepared. Some of the noted features of the composer’s creation find their direct projection in the performing pianistic style of M.-A. Hamelin. For example, virtuosity, which is present in his works in both explicit and veiled form, fully manifests itself in the interpretation of the works of other composers. Another characteristic feature of the performing style of M.-A. Hamelin is his aspiring to end-to-end development and cyclicity. In his discography, there are many different cycles, sometimes quite voluminous, performed by him as a whole. In practice of composition this is manifested at the level of the musical form (cycles, parts of which often follow directly one after another, and sometimes even the final harmony of one of the parts becomes the beginning of the next part). Conclusion. The results of the research confirm the idea of the relationship of Hamelin’s individual creative style with the basic ideas of postmodernism aesthetics. Quite typical for the manner of writing of the Canadian artist is the attraction to the throughness of development, to the creation of micro-cycles (as well as to the performing of cyclic works of other composers); the combination of ironic rethinking of thematic material with virtuosity; the playing with the listener on the basis of the introduction of quotation material and work with it; the combination of different styles within one work. Such manner requires a prepared, meaningful perception, that is, to paraphrase U. Eco, the «ideal listener».

Bones are one of the oldest materials used to create musical instruments. Currently, the world’s oldest known instruments are flutes made out of bones (Turk, Turk, and Otte 11). In fact, bones have been used to create or enhance musical instruments in a variety of settings throughout history and in modern day instrument making. Bone bull roarers, jaw bone percussion, clappers, trumpets, drum shells, lyres, or construction parts, such as frets, plectrums, pipes and pipe fittings, embouchure adjustments, or percussive strikes are just a few of the more common uses of bones in musical instrument construction. One man even made a guitar out of the skeleton of his dead uncle to memorialise the person who influenced his musical tastes and career (Bienstock). Bones can therefore be taken as a somewhat common material for making musical instruments. All of these instruments share a common trait, and not just the obvious one that they are all made out of or incorporate bones. None of these instruments are intended to represent something monstrous. Instead, they represent the ephemeral nature of humanity (Cupchik 33), a celebration of lineage or religious beliefs (Davis), or simply are the materials available or suitable to create a sound-making device (Regan). It is not possible to know the full intentions of a maker, in many cases, but a link to monstrosity and a representation of the ‘horrific’ or ‘freakish’ seems missing for the most. There are instruments, however, that do house this sentiment and some that utilise bones in the construction with the purpose of making this connection between the remains and something beast-like. In this article, I argue that the Bone Guitar Thing (BGT) built and played by raxil4 is one of those instruments. Introducing the 'Thing' Raxil4 is the stage name of sonic artist Andrew Page. He has been playing his Bone Guitar Thing for almost twenty years in a variety of settings (Page, email interview, 25 June 2021). The instrument has undergone slight changes during that time, but primarily it has retained its specific visual, timbral, and underlying associative features. The BGT is complex, more so than it may seem at first. By investigating the materials used, the performance techniques employed, and raxil4’s intentions as a musician, instrument maker, and community member within his circles of activity, the monstrous nature of the BGT comes to light. The resultant series of entanglements exhibits and supports a definition of what is a 'monster' that, like several definitions in monster theory discourse (Levina and Bui 6; Cohen 7; Mittman 51), includes challenging that which may be seen as ‘normal’ and thereby may nurture levels of unease or fear. However, in the case of the BGT, that which is monstrous is simultaneously being taken as something positive alongside its beast-like characteristics, and rather than evolving into something that needs to be repressed or eliminated, the ’monster’ here becomes a hero or champion, colleague, or even a friend. The Bone Guitar Thing is not really a guitar. It is a zither with a piece of driftwood for a base, (currently) five strings, and an electric pick-up (see Fig. 1). The bridge for the instrument is two bones, and the pitch and timbre of the strings is sometimes changed with bones used for Cage-like preparation (Cage 7-8; Bunger). Bones are also used to play the instrument, sometimes like a plectrum, others like a hammered dulcimer, or occasionally, simply pounding the string or the soundboard with great force to make a combination of percussive and string sounds. Glissandos are created by using the plectrum bones as a slide, and Page also uses jaw bones to introduce ratchet sounds, string scraping, and precise pitch bending (with the sharper edged part of the bones) (raxil4, “Livestream”). The instrument is electric, so the bones are enhanced with guitar pedals (typically reverb, distortion, and octave-splitter; Page, email interview, 25 June 2021), but the tonal qualities retain a semblance of the bone usage. Fig. 1: raxil4's Bone Guitar Thing. Photograph: Andrew Page. Page often uses the BGT as part of his sonic arsenal to perform dark ambient music, noisescapes, improv music, or live film soundtracks both in live concerts and recording situations. He plays solo as much as with ensembles, and more often improvises his music or parts, but occasionally works with predetermined organisation or scores of some description (although he admits to typically abandoning predetermined passages or scores during live performances; Page, email interview, 14 July 2021). Currently in London, raxil4 presents concerts in a variety of settings, typically well-suited for his brand of sonic art, such as Ryan Jordan’s long-running concert series Noise=Noise (raxil4 feat. King Sara), experimental music shows at the Barbican (raxil4 + King Sara + P23), and dark ambient showcases promoted and arranged by one of his record labels, Sombre Soniks (Wright). Sounds beyond Words: Monstrous Music One series of performances in which raxil4 used the BGT took the form of an immersive theatre show produced by Dread Falls Theatre called Father Dagon, based on the works of horror author H. P. Lovecraft. The performance incorporated a breaking of the ’fourth wall’ in which the audience wanders freely through the performance space, with actor- and sometimes audience-interactive musical performances of partially improvised, partially composed passages by musicians located throughout the set. Director and writer Victoria Snaith considered the use of live, semi-mobile, experimental music dispersed through the audience (mixed with an overall backing soundtrack) as heightening the intensity of the experience by introducing unfamiliar aspects to the setting. She discusses having made this decision based on Lovecraft’s own approach to story-telling that highlights a sense of unfamiliarity and therefore sense of “fear of the unknown”. The usefulness of creating unfamiliarity in this context can serve to support the parts of the narrative that contains supernatural and monstrous aspects. Given that the elements of the supernatural and horrible monsters in Lovecraftian tales are primarily indescribable (both because Lovecraft would recount beasts and fantastic magical happenings in his works as being such, and because in a practical theatrical situation, these things would be impossible to describe, especially without text or specific props or costumes, which the show purposefully uses sparingly, also as a conscious choice to embrace the unknown). Sounds created on instruments that are unique, or generated through unusual performance techniques would lend themselves to being more difficult to describe, and therefore fitting to support a desire to present something regarded as also difficult to describe, that being supernatural happenings or horrific creatures. (Connor 77) Page’s use of the BGT in these performances added directly to this notion both sonically and visually. The homemade nature of his instrument increased the potential that audience members would be less familiar with the source of his sounds, even if they were watching him perform, and the resultant soundscape he provided introduced harsh timbres, undulating pads, and aggressive punctuation of movement. Page sees the BGT as an instrument “reclaimed from the watery depths” (matching the theme of the show’s narrative), therefore as one fitting into the Lovecraft show “quite nicely” (Page, email interview, 25 June 2021). He likens the sounds created by the BGT as presenting “otherworldly melodies” akin to those played by Erich Zann (a character in another Lovecraft story who conjures a gateway to an alternate dimension full of indescribable creatures and nightmares via performing unusual music on his viola de gamba), which Page also sees as fitting (ibid.). His instrument in this setting as a producer and provider of unfamiliarity is supportive of constructing and maintaining a definition of “monstrous” or “terrifying” (Levina and Bui 6). Fig. 2: raxil4 performing in Dread Falls Theatre's Father Dagon, London 2012. Photograph: Pierre Ketteridge. Finding Community in the 'Freakish' Raxil4 also notes that the Bone Guitar Thing is appropriate for creative input within improv music circles (Page, email interview, 25 June 2021). Generally speaking, contemporary improv music (meaning the broad genre) is improvised performance focussing on sonic exploration over melodic, harmonic, or rhythmic content (even though all will be present in most cases; Toop 132-137). In my experience working with improv musicians since 1981, I find that these performers typically attempt to create sounds that are unusual or unexpected. Players often embrace extended techniques, repurposing non-musical items to be sound-making devices, and employ self-built instruments. Improv musicians seek to break free from the constraints of what may be seen as Western standard musical practices (ibid.), but they simultaneously strive to uphold some parallel aspects of artisanship and virtuosity, perhaps as a means to validate their departure from Classical/mainstream music norms. The instruments and approaches can be seen as factors that separate the experimental artists from the conservatory-based performers, yet still affords them the clout of being hard-working, innovative, expressive, and professional. As the name implies, improv music emphasises improvisation. André Hodier (23-36) in his classic book The Worlds of Jazz likens improvising jazz musicians to an alien race who battle each other on a daily basis (via jazz battles) in order to see who resides at the top of the improvisation chain. Improv musicians (some of whom come from a jazz background) tend to engage in this sort of hierarchical status ranking system using a much more ’polite’ and co-supportive mentality (at least in the scenes in which I have been privileged to participate). Improv musicians can occasionally embrace a friendly attitude that one should surpass the experimental nature of other performers, and may do so by presenting a new sound, technique, or instrument. The BGT can serve this function. It can stand out among other improv musicians’ gear, even if a majority of the instruments are self-built, through its use of bones and its intentional evocation of something horrific. Improvised music is sometimes looked down upon by musical communities who value conservatory training, popular music, or more traditional Western classical approaches to music. Referring to avant-garde jazz in the 60s and 70s, Valerie Wilmer (6) recounts that critics and Classical music enthusiasts perceived experimental and improv music as “‘freakish’ and only worthy of passing interest”. The dynamic is different today, but the overall attitude remains, at least in part. The improv music scene is creatively valid, but in comparison to conservative or more mainstream music, incorporates more experimental practices, therefore sometimes musical form, interactions, and preparation is less obvious to audience members outside the experimental music circles. The Bone Guitar Thing also plays into this construction. It is artistically valid, yet perhaps simultaneously challenging to the less-experienced listener. The BGT in this setting is multifunctional. Page (email interview, 25 June 2021) sees the BGT as a means to cut through or rise above other improv musicians, partly by being more recognisable as a “freakish” instrument at performances where the music is already considered freakish by some outsiders. Additionally, the fact that Page has taken the time to make this instrument, and uses notably practiced techniques to create the sounds he introduces, may position him as an innovative professional, rather than a non-trained imposter. The BGT can (at least for raxil4, but for others as well) become a monster among monsters that allows Page to validate his brand of creativity (Ibid). Musical ’freakishness’ appears in other settings as well. An example of this is a performance in which raxil4 took part where an ensemble provided experimental music for a live tattooing event (raxil4, “Listening”). Here, the congruency with being monstrous or freakish is perhaps more overt. Similar to the soundscape being performed, Fenske (6) points out that tattoos may still be seen as unfit or unexpected for certain classes, genders, or education levels, and may even still be associated with illustrated circus performers of the past. Furthermore, Kinzey (32) suggests that avant-garde and counter-culture communities (such as ones where tattooing and live music converge in a single event) often value uniqueness that serves to “erase boundaries between everyday life and art”. The combined performativity of live music and tattoo inking (both the artistic activity and the art itself) associates raxil4 and the BGT with this non-mainstream circle (to some degree), potentially conjuring an identity of something freakish or monstrous to people with different values. Engaging with Expressive Objects The conception and evolution of the Bone Guitar Thing has its roots in personal experience, art experimentation, and material culture related to Page’s life and the musical communities in which he played and plays. In the past, Page endeavored to make small sculptures to be given as Christmas and birthday gifts from materials he found on the shore of the River Thames, many including bones. Page then began to create new musical instruments with what he had available. Page’s brother is a doctor specialising in gunshot wounds and knife trauma, and his apartment was filled with remnants of his brother’s occupation, including a number of crutches. From these, Page crafted his first instruments in this period: crutch harps that utilised the leftover medical devices to build stringed sound generators. He claims the instruments at first were not overly successful, so he began to experiment with his bone sculptures to create more serviceable instruments. An early attempt was a percussion instrument made from various found bones, which Page deemed the “Xylobone” (see Fig. 4). This instrument and advanced crutch harps (6-string tenor (see Fig. 3.) and 2-string bass) became his first arsenal of sound makers, but Page felt the instruments ultimately failed to meet expectations and opted to rethink his approaches and designs. Fig. 3: One of Page's 6-stringed crutch harps. Photograph: Andrew Page. Fig. 4: The Xylobone - raxil4's bone xylophone percussion instrument. Photograph: Andrew Page. The BGT was intended to be more “playable”, “expressive”, and audible to battle louder co-performers. As mentioned, the driftwood base and bones for the instrument originated from the River Thames. The electronics come from a destroyed guitar that was the result of performing in a previous project in which Page was the singer, where the guitarist “had a habit of smashing his guitars on stage, in a sort of expensive tribute to [grunge guitarist] Kurt Cobain" (Page, email interview, 25 June 2021). The BGT started off as a 6-string zither that used guitar-gauge steel strings, but according to Page, given the harsh performance technique of beating or scraping the strings with bones, he was encouraged to switch to using wound, bass-gauge strings, affording him a lower pitch and greater resistance to energetic performance practices. One tuning peg, however, snapped off quite early in its life (as it was in a thinner, more weathered part of the driftwood), leaving the instrument one string shorter. Page says he likes to think that the instrument decided itself that it would be a “5-stringed beast” (ibid.). Conclusion The Bone Guitar Thing is, in fact, beast-like, at least in the settings, sonic attributes, and mindsets of the player and the communities in which the instrument is played, but it may not be the case that this beast-like nature is equal to being monstrous. Cohen (3-25) in his discussion of seven potential monster theories outlines several different notions of what can be considered “monstrous” and relates the monster in each theoretical situation to those fearing the monstrous construct. Most closely related to the situation in which the BGT is observed is a parallel theory based on the concept of “Us versus Them”, meaning “Us” as those who are dealing with the monster in question, and “Them” as being those on the side of the monster or the monster itself (Cohen 19-20). However, with the BGT, the monster is not unanimous with “them”, but rather with “us”. In all the situations outlined here, the instrument takes on the role of a beast, but not a negative role for Page (email interview, 14 July 2021) or fans of raxil4 (Wright). Instead, the beast is more like part of the team of noise makers actively engaged in the community’s activities of creation, entertainment, identity, and validation of values upheld thereof. Each of the performance settings can be argued to exhibit a sense of welcoming outsiders or praising diversity, rather than ostracising it. The Lovecraft performance and story were constructed on the premise of questioning what is a monster and who determines that definition. The Bone Guitar Thing supports and interacts precisely within this parameter to enhance the artistic commentary presented. Within the improv music setting, the instrument assists Page to achieve uniqueness among that which is already unique and highlights the values of community including a show of innovation, exploration, and personal performance technique development. For the live tattooing, the instrument stands out as a unifying sonic flag, connecting other (perhaps less-monstrous) artists into a stronger group of alternative creatives. Effectively, the BGT is a 'freak among freaks', serving to simultaneously fit in and rise above, all while maintaining a sense of “us” within respective circles. The beast-like nature is not entirely an outward force. Page (email interviews, 25 June 2021 and 14 July 2021) is aware that he has received no formal education in music. He admits he is less familiar with music theory, and more familiar with the science and technology behind the music. Page considers himself to be experimental in his approach to sound creation, which he sees as being more unique due to ignoring the “rulebooks” (ibid.). As a result, he feels (at least a slight) pressure of feeling “unprofessional” or “correct” in the eyes of Western conservatory-trained musicians and composers or those with a similar mentality (Page, email interview, 25 June 2021). The BGT was also, to a degree, built to battle being told what was “right”. For Page, his instrument is akin to a beast that helped him break free of the constraints of Western tonal and virtuosic constraints. “I made my own [instrument] so that nobody could tell me I was playing it the wrong way” (ibid.). His “beast” helped him break down barriers and asserted himself as an innovative musician and creative professional. So, then, the Bone Guitar Thing is a monster; sonically, visually, and physically. It represents a monster, it is called “the beast”, and it takes on the role of a terrifying creature raging through (sometimes, extremely quietly – raxil4; raxil 4 feat. King Sara; raxil4 + King Sara + P23) soundscapes, settings, and performances, rallying the like-minded and routing the unsuspecting or “others”. That is an overdramatic take on the situation, perhaps, but the instrument does uphold a series of values and creative aesthetics that fosters positive relationships between the artist, the community, and the sonic and physical qualities of the zither. Rather than being a device that places a horrific barrier to be overcome in an “us versus them” scenario, the monster takes on an alternate role and becomes a source of empowerment for “outsiders” or marginalised groups or people (Mittman 51). Thus the Bone Guitar Thing allows Page to demolish barriers and amalgamate fellow community members into a larger version of “us” to create a space in which the beast is no longer a monster. References Bienstock, Richard. “Man Builds Guitar Out of His Dead Uncle’s Skeleton.” Guitar World 11 Feb. 2021. Web. 13 June 2021 <https://www.guitarworld.com/news/man-builds-guitar-out-of-his-dead-uncles-skeleton-uses-it-to-play-black-metal>. Bunger, Richard. The Well-Prepared Piano. Colorado Springs: Colorado College Music P, 1973. Cage, John. Empty Words: Writings ’73-’78. Middletown, CT: Wesleyan University P, 1981. Cohen, Jeffrey Jerome. “Monster Culture (Seven Theses).” Monster Theory: Reading Culture. Minneapolis: U of Minnesota P, 1996. 3–25. 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