Pylypenko S. René Eespere’s piano output: genre-style and performance aspects

The dissertation focuses on the study of the piano work of the Estonian composer René Eespere (born in 1953) in terms of genre-stylistic specificity and performance. The artist's work covers various genres, including piano music. The composer's works are increasingly performed on concert stages and in educational institutions, capturing the interest of both young and experienced pianists. However, to date, René Eespere's diverse compositional legacy, particularly his piano works, has not been sufficiently researched. His contributions to the development of musical art remain undefined and not fully appreciated. The relevance of the topic is determined by: 1) the significance of R. Eespere's personality for musical art and understanding of the genre-stylistic nuances of the Estonian master's piano music; 2) the lack of a comprehensive study of the composer’s piano oeuvre in musicology; 3) the increasing interest in performing his works, as well as the efforts to popularize Eespere's piano heritage in Ukraine. The purpose of the study is to present René Eespere's piano compositions as a coherent artistic system, considering their genre-stylistic characteristics and performance aspects. The object of the research is European music art from the second half of the 20th century to the beginning of the 21st century; the subject is René Eespere's piano compositions, focusing on their genre, style and performance features. Chapter I "René Eespere: a creative portrait of the artist in the context of historical changes of his time" focuses on general aspects of the composer's creative life, the study of the environment that shaped his personality. The study of the artist’s creative biography (subchapter 1.1) proves that, starting his creative activity in the Soviet era, R. Eespere went through a difficult path of political, social and cultural changes. The components of the Estonian composer's piano style (subchapter 1.2.) are highlighted from the standpoint of the formation of the principles of the artist's musical thinking: the nuances of the Estonian musical language, individual creative properties, and peculiarities of the national piano culture development. Chapter 2 "Periodization of René Eespere's piano work" examines the artist's compositions. A periodization of the Estonian artist's piano work has been established. The period of Eespere's early development as a composer (subchapter 2.1) encompasses works composed from 1969 to 1995. The period of creative maturity (since 1995) is marked by a shift in the genre composition of R. Eespere's piano music (subchapter 2.2). The conclusions summarize the main genre-stylistic and performance aspects of René Eespere's piano works. The musician's creative journey is described as an evolution from the explorations of a young composer in the Soviet era to the revelations of a mature artist in independent Estonia. A periodization of his piano output based on the milestones of his life has been developed. During his early years, the composer favoured cycles of miniatures. In addition to experimental searches, he incorporated techniques characteristic of Estonian national music and showed an inclination towards minimalism. R. Eespere's creative maturity is characterized by his focus on the concert piece. Considering the unique nature of the composer's thought process, the issue of interpreting the Estonian artist's works by pianists is outlined. The performance of Eespere's music is not limited to Estonia, indicating the universality of his work and his desire for a meaningful dialogue with a global audience.