Lubomyr Melnyk | Artist
Lubomyr Melnyk is a Ukrainian composer and pianist born 1948 in Nazi Germany occupied Ukraine. Melnyk is noted for his 'continuous music', a piano technique featuring extremely rapid notes and complex note-series, usually with the sustain pedal held down to generate harmonic overtones and sympathetic resonances. Melnyk describes his music as "a completely-completely different piano universe from everything that has existed before". Melnyk lived in Paris from 1973 to 1975, supporting himself by playing for modern dance classes, most notably with Carolyn Carlson at the Paris Opera. Many of his works were presented in conjunction with modern dance. Through his work with Carlson, he began to create continuous music for piano. Melnyk has composed over 120 works, mostly for piano solo and double piano, and some for piano with ensemble. To explain the proper physical and mental techniques for his music, Melnyk wrote a treatise, OPEN TIME: The Art of Continuous Music (1981) and 22 Etudes, to teach the fundamental levels of his continuous technique. His discography to-date comprises 24 studio albums, including solo works and collaborations with artists such as James Blackshaw, Peter Broderick and Nils Frahm. Standout albums include Lubomyr Melnyk Performs KMH (1979), The Lund - St. Petri Symphony (1981), Swallows (1992), Corollaries (2013), Rivers and Streams (2015), Fallen Trees (2018), and The Sacred Thousand (2023). The pianist also featured on Vincent Bella's 2018 album The Dark Side Pulling At Us. In interview Melnyk has expressed fears that his music will not outlive him.. "I am yet to find anyone who can interpret my music at a level where I could say they are actually able to play the piece. None of my students are ready but when the time comes, their fingers will obey their minds and I will be able to gauge the success of their interpretation." In 1985, Melnyk set two world records, documented on film and with full audio, at the Sigtuna Stiftelsen in Sweden. He sustained speeds of over 19.5 notes per second in each hand, and played between 13 and 14 notes per second for one full hour.
Artist Website : wikipedia/Lubomyr_Melnyk
Featured Albums: Lubomyr Melnyk
