The Music of Lubomyr Melnyk
VOCALIZES and 13 for Solo Piano
ANTIPHONS 2, 4 and 6 for Strings and Piano
with the Halychyna String Quartet of L´viw, Ukrainia
VOCALIZES 9 and 13 , for solo piano.
In the mid-70´s, Lubomyr Melnyk created a new language for the piano, called "Continuous Music", based on a special technique wherein the two hands operate a steady stream of notes with incongruent and sustained patterns.
The Vocalizes, begun in 1988, show however a new trend with strongly emphasized melodies. They use a specific technique within Continuous Music, called "Bel Canto".
ANTIPHONS 2, 4 and 6 : for String Quartet and Piano (1993 - 2002)
These works for Strings and Continuous Piano are very lyrical, with a touch of a church-like character. Antiphons are in fact a type of prayer within the Ukrainian Catholic Church, and although these have no words, they offer to the listener, the clear and peaceful ambiance associated with church and prayer.
All selections composed and performed by Lubomyr Melnyk,
ANTIPHON 6: (2002) Violin: Oksana Tytarenko, Viola: Boh´dan Fesiuk
All music copyright by Lubomyr Melnyk. All rights reserved.
Cover Art: Laurits Tuxen (1853-1927) "A Meeting On The Beach By A Wreck"
-The Music of Lubomyr Melnyk-
VOCALIZES and ANTIPHONS
with the Halychyna String Quartet of L´viw, Ukrainia
VOCALIZES 9 and 13 for Solo Piano
ANTIPHONS 2, 4 and 6 for Strings and Piano
VOCALIZES 9 and 13 , for solo piano.
In the mid-70´s, Lubomyr Melnyk created a new language for the piano, called "Continuous Music", based on a special technique wherein the two hands operate a steady stream of notes with incongruent and sustained patterns.
Around 1985, Melnyk began to work more with melodic influences within his music, and the Vocalizes, begun in 1988, show very clearly this new trend with their strongly emphasized melodies.
At this time, Melnyk also began to work with a new method (within the Continuous Techniuqe) of letting the melody ring out from the continuous arpeggiated formats… this became a specific technique within Continuous Music, called "Bel Canto".
Melnyk regards this Bel Canto technique as the highest achievement of his Continuous Piano technique – for, as he states, -- the pianist must achieve the greatest suppleness of the hands/arms before this gentle melodic creation can occur.
ANTIPHONS 2, 4 and 6 : for String Quartet and Piano
The Antiphons are a progression from the melodic beginnings of the earlier Vocalizes. These works for Strings and Continuous Piano are very lyrical, and have a definite church-like character. Antiphons are in fact a type of prayer within the Ukrainian Catholic Church, and although these have no words, -- and are in no way intended to be part of the Church Liturgical Mass -- they offer to the listener, the clear and peaceful ambiance associated with prayer.
No other works of Lubomyr Melnyk have proven so difficult – one could even say impossible -- to record. Over a period of 8 (!) years, Melnyk worked with the Halychyna String Quartet to make these 2 recordings of Antiphons Nr. 2 and 4 ---- and not one of the recordings proved to be satisfactory! … either the sound was not recorded well enough, or the balance between the instruments and /or piano was not right, or the performance itself lacked the right ambiance.
Often each recording session meant playing the Antiphon 3 to 4 times, and this proved too difficult -- emotionally and physically --- for all the players. These 2 ”simple” recordings of Antiphons Nr. 2 and 4 represent approximately 45 hours of recording time !!!
… and still, Melnyk is not happy with them, ---- but it is all the world has for now, so we at BANDURA have released these 2 tapings, with the hope that you the listener can get whatever pleasure you can from them. We feel they still convey something of the emotive quality within these pieces.
ANTIPHONS Nr. 2 and 4 are for String Quartet and Piano and were composed specifically for the Halychyna String Quartet on its tours in Sweden , from 1992 to 1994.
ANTIPHON Nr. 6 --- for violin, viola and piano, was composed in 2002 for the Vassyli Ensemble from Kyiw , Ukraine .
Order of performance on this C-d:
- ANTIPHON Nr. 2 --- 1992 String Quartet / piano
- VOCALIZE Nr. 11 ---1991 solo piano
- ANTIPHON Nr. 4 --- 1994 String Quartet and piano
- VOCALIZE Nr. 13 – 1993 solo piano
- ANTIPHON Nr. 6 -- 2002 violin, viola and piano
with Oksana Tytarenko, violin, and Boh'dan Fesiuk, viola
The Halychyna String Quartet:
Violin I: Ihor Shkurhan Violin 2: Natalka Mandryka
Viola: Boh'dan Fesiuk Cello: Roman Fesiuk
All selections composed and performed by Lubomyr Melnyk, All music copyright by Lubomyr Melnyk. All rights reserved. Cover Art: Laurits Tuxen (1853-1927) Denmark , "A Meeting On The Beach By A Wreck"
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