Meditative Tendencies in Ukrainian Academic Music of the 20th Century: From Individual Style to Cultural Phenomenon

Abstract

The purpose of the article is to identify and comprehend manifestations of meditativeness in Ukrainian academic music of the second half of the 20th century, tracing its evolution — from individual compositional styles to its establishment as a cultural phenomenon with its own aesthetic and philosophical foundation. Special attention is given to the influence of meditative elements on the listener’s perceptual experience and the formation of an inner dialogue through musical reflection. The research employs an interdisciplinary methodology, combining musicological analysis with a cultural approach, allowing for the examination of specific works by Ukrainian composers in the context of the listener’s perceptive engagement. Scientific novelty lies in the interpretation of meditativeness not merely as a stylistic feature or artistic device, but as a form of spiritual practice integrated into the academic tradition, shaping a distinct type of musical thinking. For the first time, the role of the listener is emphasised as an active participant in the meditative process, capable of deep reflection. The conclusions affirm that meditative tendencies in Ukrainian academic music of the second half of the 20th century are not accidental stylistic phenomena, but rather profound expressions of a cultural need for silence, introspection, and inner dialogue. These tendencies form a new quality of musical thought that unites aesthetic, philosophical, and existential dimensions. In this context, music becomes a space for spiritual practice, where the listener does not merely perceive the sonic fabric but engages in dialogue with their own inner world. Such experience fosters new models of perception, in which music acts as a mediator between the external and the internal, between aesthetic experience and personal transformation. Meditativeness in music opens up prospects for further research, particularly in the fields of perceptual aesthetics, music psychology, and the philosophy of art, where the listener is viewed as an active participant in the aesthetic process, capable of profound reflection and spiritual growth.