Alla Zahaikevych (born 1966) is a Ukrainian composer, pianist, musicologist, and educator. She is recognized for her contributions to contemporary classical music, particularly in the fields of electroacoustic composition, choral works, and orchestral music.
Early life and education
Zahaikevych was born in Lviv, Ukrainian SSR (now Ukraine). She began her musical studies at the Lviv Conservatory, where she completed a degree in piano performance. She later pursued composition at the same institution, studying under prominent Ukrainian composers. Zahaikevych earned a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in musicology, focusing on contemporary music theory and practice.
Career
After completing her studies, Zahaikevych joined the faculty of the Lviv National Music Academy (formerly the Lviv Conservatory), where she has served as a professor in the Department of Composition and as head of the department. She is a member of the Ukrainian National Union of Composers.
Zahaikevych’s compositional output encompasses a wide range of genres, including:
- Orchestral works – symphonies, concertos, and tone poems.
- Chamber music – pieces for string quartets, piano trios, and mixed ensembles.
- Electroacoustic and multimedia music – works that integrate live instruments with electronic soundscapes and visual media.
- Choral music – sacred and secular works for mixed and women’s choirs.
Her music has been performed at festivals and concert series throughout Ukraine and internationally, including venues in Poland, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Awards and honors
Zahaikevych has received several Ukrainian cultural awards, among them:
- The Levko Revutsky Prize (2005) for achievements in composition.
- The Shevchenko National Prize (2019), Ukraine’s highest state award for contributions to culture and the arts.
Selected works
- Symphony No. 1 (1998) – orchestral.
- Electroacoustic Suite “Aurora” (2004) – for live instruments and tape.
- Choral Cycle “Liturgy of the Dawn” (2011) – for mixed choir and organ.
- Piano Concerto “Reflections” (2015) – for piano and orchestra.
Publications
In addition to her compositional activity, Zahaikevych has authored scholarly articles on contemporary music theory, electroacoustic techniques, and the integration of Ukrainian folk elements in modern composition.
Influence and legacy
Through her dual role as a composer and academic, Zahaikevych has contributed to the development of new music in Ukraine, mentoring a generation of young composers and promoting the integration of technology in artistic practice. Her works continue to be studied and performed, reflecting a synthesis of Ukrainian musical tradition with avant‑garde techniques.