Violin and Piano Recital - Ukrainian and Western Classical Masterworks

Join international award-winning Australian-Ukrainian violinist Markiyan Melnychenko CF and pianist Richard Black as they present a recital of classical masterworks. From the Ukrainian folk-inspired dances of Mykola Kolessa, to the deep and sensitive romanticism of Viktor Kosenko, finishing with Grieg's fiery 3rd Violin Sonata, this beautiful program will take the listener on an inspiring musical journey.

This concert is presented as a fundraiser for the Ukrainian Classical Music Recording Project.

Program:

• Mykola Kolessa - 3 Kolomyiky
• Viktor Kosenko - Violin Sonata in A minor, Op. 18
• Edvard Grieg - Violin Sonata No. 3, Op. 45
  

This event is organised with the support of the Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain and the University of Melboourne.

Ukrainian Classical Music Recording Project

As the war continues to rage in Ukraine, this recording project aims to shine a light on some of the greatest cultural treasures in Ukrainian classical music, virtually unknown to audiences both in Australia and around the world.

The role of culture can be of paramount importance during times of struggle and this project intends to showcase the beautiful and compelling contribution of Ukrainian composers to classical music at a time when the very idea of Ukrainian identity and nationhood are under threat. Undertaken as part of PhD studies on Ukrainian violin music and registered with the Australian Cultural Fund, this project plans to record and release three CDs with music by Ukrainian composers, including the world-premiere of never-before released recordings of violin and piano miniatures, as well as chamber music masterpieces and a world-premiere series of violin and piano arrangements of Ukrainian folk songs. These CDs will be recorded throughout 2023 and 2024, with the goal of urgent release in order to contribute to the galvanising of support for the Ukrainian people during this time of war. They will be a testament to the cultural achievements of the Ukrainian people as well as a homage to their colossal bravery in defence of their homeland.

The repression of Ukrainian art throughout centuries of Soviet, Russian, Polish and Austro-Hungarian occupation meant that Ukrainian contributions to the treasury of world culture have not been adequately celebrated outside of Ukraine. However, there has never been a more important time than now to promote the little-known but worthwhile and beautiful musical works created by Ukrainian composers. The project will have a positive impact not only during the war but in its aftermath as well. This inspiring and enduring nature of this project's output is one of its biggest strengths and one that, it is hoped, will encourage those who are interested to support it.

The funds raised will be used to cover the CD production costs which include a significant amount of recording engineer time during the recording, editing and mastering process, as well as the hiring of some of Melbourne's finest musicians to create a product of the highest artistic merit.

https://artists.australianculturalfund.org.au/s/project/a2EMn000002rzlqMAA/ukrainian-music-recording-project

Markiyan Melnychenko - Violin

Australian-Ukrainian violinist Markiyan Melnychenko CF has been described as “an artist of patrician sensibility, spectacular technique”, and “possessing an extraordinary combination of bravura, brains and elegance”. He has served as Principal 1st Violin with the Melbourne Chamber Orchestra and Lecturer in Violin at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music, where he is currently completing a PhD.

Markiyan has performed in 17 countries including solo performances in New York (Alice Tully Hall), Washington DC (Kennedy Centre), and has made a number of solo appearances with orchestras including performances with the Lviv Philharmonic Orchestra, Kobe City Chamber Orchestra, Ukrainian Festival Orchestra, Melbourne Chamber Orchestra, Corpus Medicorum, Canberra Symphony Orchestra, Zelman Symphony Orchestra and Orchestra Victoria. He has been broadcast on ABC Classic FM, 3MBS FM and Radio NZ, and has commercially released recordings on the Tall Poppies (2019) and Naxos (2020) labels. In 2019 he was awarded the Dr Iain C. Medgett Churchill Fellowship.

In 2013 he was selected to perform in a quartet at the US Capitol for the Inaugural Luncheon at Barack Obama's Presidential Inauguration. He is a multiple 1st prize winner in national and international competitions including the Melbourne Recital Centre's National “Great Romantics” competition and the Oleh Krysa International Violin Competition in Ukraine. He was also awarded the 'Australian Development Prize' from the Michael Hill International Violin Competition in 2013.

Markiyan obtained his Bachelor and Masters of Music at the Eastman School of Music under the tutelage of Professor of Violin – Oleh Krysa. He was additionally awarded Eastman's Performer's certificate and the highly prestigious Artist Certificate, being the first violinist to receive this award in over 50 years. Additional studies have been at the Australian National Academy of Music with Alice Waten and William Hennessy, and also with Cyrus Forough.

“Freakishly good performance...” Limelight Magazine (Australia)

“... admirable lyrical flexibility … communicating boundless energy and joie de vivre.”
The Age (Australia)

“The perfection of nuance was mesmerising … obvious, high level virtuosity.”
Zbruc.eu, (Ukraine)

“... every phrase charmed with its perfection and ease, with cadenzas of lightness and virtuosity, all without losing the feeling of a delicate but emotional narrative from the beginning to the end of every movement of every work” Moderato.in.ua (Ukraine)

Richard Black - Piano

Richard Black is a highly versatile pianist whose work takes in opera, the symphony orchestra, chamber music and song recitals. He has worked for opera companies great and small in the UK, on operas ranging from half-forgotten gems of the late baroque to the largest works of Wagner to new pieces composed in the 21st century. His ability to play almost anything at sight and his wide knowledge of the opera repertoire have made him a familiar face at opera auditions, and he employs similar talents in accompanying students of every voice and instrument at schools and colleges in London.

In performance, Richard has played for singers at Wigmore Hall and St John’s Smith Square, as well as in New York, Paris and Luxembourg. He has accompanied a wide range of instrumental works and played in a variety of chamber ensembles. He has recorded as a song accompanist on several CDs and has broadcast on BBC Radio 3.

Apart from playing the piano, Richard is an experienced recording engineer, producer and editor.

Markiyan Melnychenko plays Mozart's Violin Concerto No. 4 in Lviv, Ukraine

Markiyan Melnychenko performs Hubay's Hejre Kati (Czardas) in Melbourne, Australia