MUSICIANS' TRAVELS THROUGH WESTERN EUROPEAN CITIES IN THE CULTURAL CONTEXT OF THE 19th AND EARLY 20th CENTURIES

Abstract

Background. Exploring the creative biographies of artists of the 19th – early 20th centuries in the context of urban influence highlights the connection between cultural experience and artistic achievement. The purpose of this study is to examine the interaction between personal impressions and the cultural contexts surrounding the musician during travels through European cities.

Methods. The study employs the method of cultural commentary, involving the analysis of epistolary sources, alongside systems and historical approaches.

Results. The urban spaces encountered by composers during their travels abroad influenced both their personality and creativity, since philosophers, from the 19th century onward, have regarded the city as an environment that acts as a catalyst for acquiring diverse experiences. Consequently, the city became a central subject of study for many artists of that period. At the same time, interest in travel grew, particularly among Romantic composers, creating new opportunities for the development of musical mastery. Among Ukrainian musicians, Mykola Lysenko showed a notable inclination for travel, visiting numerous European cities during his studies at the Leipzig Conservatory. On the other hand, when considering the formation of creative connections, the example of Franz Liszt demonstrates that travel experience need not be exclusively positive. Negative impressions may also stimulate the development of creative potential. Thus, certain factors of everyday life cannot be ignored in studying the formation of artistic interconnections.

Conclusions. It has been established that analyzing factors such as the duration of travels, everyday practices, impressions, and creative outcomes contributes to a comprehensive understanding of a composer's cultural experience. An examination of travels undertaken by artists of the 19th – early 20th centuries reveals that the formation of such connections requires a creative impulse arising under the influence of life circumstances, internal intentions, or a particular environment.