String Quartet
Roman Prydatkevych
In the minds of Zinovii Lys’ko, the compositional style of Roman Prydatkevych is characterized by «brave, flush harmony, skills and a polyphonic way of thinking, diverse orchestral sound, a mastery of great forms». It is difficult to disagree with this statement after meeting Prydatkevych’s String Quartet, which fully demonstrates all the mentioned virtues.
The String Quartet – is a sort of passport for the composer, which helps to recognize his Ukrainian origin, first-class European music education and long-time American residence. Full of lyricism and breadth inherent in Slavic Melos, the composition expresses a perfect knowledge of the rules of polyphony with precise understanding and the use of polyphonic horizontal and vertical. Clearly, Roman Prydatkevych drew pure freedom and courage from American music culture in synthesizing a kaleidoscope of various stylistic and expressive elements. After all, the composition echoes the spirit of its time: the atmosphere of the legendary 20th century Hollywood music.
Prydatkevych’s immense experience as a violinist, a member of many famous orchestras and possibly even more chamber ensembles is also notable – he has such a subtle understanding of the nature of the ensemble. The composer, as always, has an eye for details – he creates the perfect musical score, taking into account the special speeches of every instrument. Rather intellectual than entertaining music is an example of the abidance of the author’s concept of an entire arsenal of compositional and musical-expressive means.
Each of the 4 parts of the quartet R.Predetkevich treats quite freely, structuring the cycle in an atypical way like a whole. The first two parts are written in a developed polyphonic texture and, in fact, don’t contrast with each other. The third and fourth dance parts, which sound attacca, in a way, also contain elements of polyphony, but they are surprisingly authentic.
Nevertheless, the parts of the quartet are intonationally related to each other, forming a perfect monolithic musical structure.
The String Quartet – is a sort of passport for the composer, which helps to recognize his Ukrainian origin, first-class European music education and long-time American residence. Full of lyricism and breadth inherent in Slavic Melos, the composition expresses a perfect knowledge of the rules of polyphony with precise understanding and the use of polyphonic horizontal and vertical. Clearly, Roman Prydatkevych drew pure freedom and courage from American music culture in synthesizing a kaleidoscope of various stylistic and expressive elements. After all, the composition echoes the spirit of its time: the atmosphere of the legendary 20th century Hollywood music.
Prydatkevych’s immense experience as a violinist, a member of many famous orchestras and possibly even more chamber ensembles is also notable – he has such a subtle understanding of the nature of the ensemble. The composer, as always, has an eye for details – he creates the perfect musical score, taking into account the special speeches of every instrument. Rather intellectual than entertaining music is an example of the abidance of the author’s concept of an entire arsenal of compositional and musical-expressive means.
Each of the 4 parts of the quartet R.Predetkevich treats quite freely, structuring the cycle in an atypical way like a whole. The first two parts are written in a developed polyphonic texture and, in fact, don’t contrast with each other. The third and fourth dance parts, which sound attacca, in a way, also contain elements of polyphony, but they are surprisingly authentic.
Nevertheless, the parts of the quartet are intonationally related to each other, forming a perfect monolithic musical structure.
Text by Viktoria Antoshevska
Translated by Diana Pavlyshyn
Curator Olesya Tatarovska, Lviv National University
Translated by Diana Pavlyshyn
Curator Olesya Tatarovska, Lviv National University
