Mykola Lysenko's sonata in A minor, op.16: a discussion of musical elements and companion recording

Access to thesis restricted until 05/2022.Mykola Lysenko (1842−1912) is recognized as a founding figure of Ukrainian classical music. In 1875, he wrote the Sonata in A minor, Op. 16. This study, complements and expands the author’s recording of the Sonata in A minor by providing a theoretical analysis of the piece. Its findings argue that Lysenko used Classical form to present Ukrainian folk elements in the Sonata in A minor, Op. 16 to create a distinct sound. The study is divided into three chapters. Chapter 1 introduces the study by outlining the historical context in which Lysenko wrote the Sonata in A minor, Op. 16, followed by a literature review and summary of the study’s goals. In Chapter 2, I analyze the work to show how Lysenko composed in the Classical genre and uses Classical structure to organize this piece. Chapter 3 applies Yakov Soroker’s framework for understanding musical motives found in Ukrainian music to show how the Sonata in A minor, Op. 16 syncretizes Ukrainian folk elements with Classical form. In sum, my investigation finds Lysenko integrated Ukrainian motives in the work, thus creating a nationalistic expression within the piece. The study complements the author’s recording of Sonata in A minor, Op. 16, completed in partial fulfillment of the Doctor of Arts degree.Thesis (D.A.