The Role of Music in Productions of Modern Ukrainian Theatre

The purpose of the article is to identify the features of the use of theatrical music in the performances of Ukrainian dramatic and experimental theatres of the first quarter of the 21st century. Research methodology. The method of analysis and synthesis, the system and typological method, the method of comparative analysis, the method of art history and genre-style analysis were applied. Scientific novelty. The features of the use of music in the performances of Ukrainian dramatic and experimental theatres of the first quarter of the 21st century were studied. Modern approaches to the creation of theatrical music were considered using the example of the productions of V. Troitskyi (ethnogroup "DakhaBrakha"), D. Petrosian (use of works by world and modern Ukrainian composers, combination of classics, bebop, ambient) and others. Conclusions. Among the main functions of music in the productions of modern Ukrainian theatre are: defining and specifying the setting, determining the pace of stage action, the presence of subtext, creating mood and enhancing anticipation, forming and directing emotions in order to increase the viewer’s involvement. With the help of music, volume and a peculiar philosophy of sound appear in performances. Significant expressive possibilities of theatrical music are due, in particular, to the possibility of secondary meanings, creating subtexts – quotes, which are aimed at the perception of the primary source, transformed as a result of quoting. The material quoted by the composer is interpreted in a special perspective in accordance with his ability to form the contexts necessary for the director-producer. The specifics of the development of modern Ukrainian musical and theatrical art determine the use of various approaches to theatrical music in the productions of the domestic theatre – from the creation of original music, in particular, based on a combination of authentic Ukrainian melos with foreign cultural elements, to radical experiments with various noises, from building a musical score on a mix of popular music, to a careful selection of completed musical fragments designed to emphasise the necessary dramatic moments.