Fusion of Tradition and Modernism: An Analytical Study of Anatoly Kushakov's Winter Sketch for Bayan Accordion

Abstract

This paper examines Winter Sketch by Anatoly Kushakov, a composition that integrates Russian folk tradition with modernist musical innovations, showcasing the bayan accordion's expressive and technical capacities. As part of Kushakov's Seasons of Life series, Winter Sketch includes six movements that vividly evoke Russian winter scenes through advanced techniques such as legato, staccato, layered textures, and dynamic tonal shifts. Kushakov's compositional evolution, from traditional Russian forms to a nuanced modernist approach, significantly broadens the bayan's range and emotional depth. His contributions to bayan repertoire and pedagogy establish a lasting framework for innovation, inspiring contemporary musicians to explore the instrument's narrative and cultural potential within a modernist context.