Kvitka Cisyk: Synthesis of Ukrainian Musical Tradition and Recording Technologies in the Album "Two Colours"

Abstract

The purpose of the article is to analyse the aesthetic, technological, and cultural components of the album ‘Two Colours’ as an embodiment of the artistic synthesis of Ukrainian folklore and Western sound design standards. The research methodology is based on a combination of musicological, sound engineering, interpretive, and cultural approaches. The elements of critical auditory analysis of the phonogram, study of mixing parameters, interviews, technical documentation, biographical sources, and discourse of the Ukrainian musical diaspora are used. The scientific novelty lies in the systematic analysis of the album ‘Two Colours’ by singer K. Cisyk from the standpoint of integrated sound engineering, art history, and cultural analysis, which for the first time reveals the synergy of studio technology, folklore authenticity, and artistic communication. Conclusions. The album ‘Two Colours’ by Kvitka Cisyk demonstrates the integration of the Ukrainian song tradition into the Western studio format. The performance of the composition ‘Two Colours’ combines the academic vocal school with elements of white voice, which forms an authentic and emotionally rich sound. The arrangement by Jack Kortner is based on symphonic thinking, which allows adapting folklore to orchestral sound without losing national specificity. The creative use of sound technologies (analogue and digital) in the recording and mixing of the album ensured the scale, characteristic tonal balance, technical quality, warmth and structural integrity of the sound, aesthetic colouring, and an emphasised emotional response from listening to the soundtrack of the musical work. The unique artistic communication of the Cisyk family together with the best session musicians has set a global precedent for creative collaboration and the creative result. Thus, the album ‘Two Colours’ by singer K. Cisyk is an example of a technically skilful studio product and at the same time a cultural artefact that brings the Ukrainian song tradition back to the modern musical space.