Abstract
The purpose of the article is to study ethno-historical motifs in the musical art of Ukraine in the second half of the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, with a special emphasis on folk art and its influence on the development of orchestral, choral and individual musical performances. The article examines the cultural and social changes of this era and their impact on the evolution of kobza and bandura art, which served not only as a means of musical expression but also as an important element of preserving national identity and historical memory. The article describes in detail the ethno-historical motifs that were manifested through musical art, reflecting social moods, historical events and the heroic past of the nation. Considerable attention is paid to the analysis of the interaction of folk traditions with professional art forms, revealing the richness and diversity of folk art of that time. The research methodology is based on an integrated approach to the study of historical, musical and cultural aspects, using archival documents and scientific sources, which allows a comprehensive assessment of the influence of ethno-historical motifs on the formation of the cultural landscape of Ukraine in the period under study. Particular attention is paid to the role of kobzars and bandura players, who, by performing historical and contemporary themes, contributed to the preservation of national identity and the reproduction of cultural heritage. The scientific novelty of the study lies in an in-depth analysis of the contribution of musical groups and individual performers to the development of the region’s art, with an emphasis on their interaction with folk traditions and professional music in the context of historical and cultural processes. Conclusions. The emphasise the importance of studying ethno-historical motifs in the musical art of the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries as key elements in the formation of Ukraine’s cultural identity, pointing to the need for further research in this area to better understand the role of musical art in the contemporary cultural context.