VECTORS OF CREATIVE ACTIVITY OF THE BANDURA QUARTET «GERDAN» IN THE CONTEXT OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF UKRAINIAN VOCAL-ENSEMBLE ART

Abstract

The article summarizes the research on the creative path and chronology of artistic achievements of the wellknown
ensemble from Prykarpattia – the bandura quartet «Gerdan», which has been successfully active for 15 years,
representing Ukrainian musical culture in various forms of creativity, including experimental genres.
Research methodology. The study employs historical-chronological, historical-typological, source-critical
methods, as well as analysis, synthesis, and generalization. Results. The authors identify the main directions of the
ensemble’s repertoire formation: original music by Ukrainian composers, arrangements of folklore material, and sacredreligious
genres. The article highlights the ensemble’s successful performances at festivals and competitions, participation in
cultural-artistic and public projects in Ukraine and abroad, as well as its collaboration with artists from Prykarpattia and
Ukraine – composers, soloists, and ensembles. Scientific novelty. The article emphasizes the ensemble’s innovative
exploration of new instrumental and timbral combinations of the bandura with trumpet, clarinet, and carillon, as well as
the development of vocal repertoire that takes into account the vocal capacities of the quartet participants – both as
soloists and ensemble performers – in the context of contemporary trends in folk-academic chamber ensemble art.
Conclusions. The creative activity of the «Gerdan» quartet over 15 years has demonstrated the consolidation of
new trends in the development of vocal-ensemble and bandura performance art. These include: synthesis of folkloric,
academic, and pop-popular directions within vocal-instrumental works; active collaboration with regional (Prykarpattia)
and national composers; inclusion of soloists and ensembles to highlight the accompanying function; exploration of
innovative forms of presenting the bandura, including media projects and concert tours; expansion of the timbral
possibilities of the bandura and female vocal ensemble.