Lubomyr Melnyk

Lubomyr Melnyk (born December 22, 1948) is a Canadian composer and pianist.

Melnyk is noted for "continuous music", a piano technique based on extremely rapid notes and complex note-series that create a "tapestry of sound", usually with the sustain pedal held down to generate overtones and sympathetic resonances. These overtones blend or clash according to the harmonic changes. Most of his music is for the piano, but he has also composed chamber and orchestral works.

Biography 

Melnyk lived in Paris from 1973 to 1975, supporting himself by playing for modern dance classes, most notably in conjuction with Carolyn Carlson at the Paris Opera. Many of his works were presented in conjunction with modern dance. It was through his work with Carolyn Carlson that he began to create 'continuous music' for piano.[1]

Melnyk has composed over 120 works, mostly for piano solo and double piano, as well as piano with ensemble. In order to explain the proper physical and mental technique mechanism of performing this comnples music, Melnyk wrote the treatise OPEN TIME: The Art of Continuous Music (1981) and 22 Etudes, to teach the fundamental levels of the Continuous Technique.[1] In 1985, Lubomyr Melnyk set two world records, documented on film and with full audio, at the Sigtuna Stiftelsen in Sweden, where he established himself as the fastest pianist in all of history, sustaining speeds of over 19.5 notes per second in each, as well as playing the most notes ever played in one hour, using speeds of between 13-14 notes per second for one full hour.[2]

He has been called one of the great pioneers of the piano because of his work in Continuous Music.

Discography

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Melnyk, Lubomyr. "Canadian Music Centre – Composer Showcase".
  2. ↑ "The world's fastest-playing pianist". Retrieved 21 January 2015.

Sources

External links