Markiyan Melnychenko CF

Performing newly created Violin and Piano Showpiece Arrangements of Ukranian Folk Music.

This presentation will feature the performance of newly created violin and piano showpiece arrangements of Ukrainian folk music, written in the style of historical violinists such as Kreisler, Sarasate and Heifetz. The works were completed as part of PhD research exploring two venerable traditions of the past and combining them to create new violin music for the 21st century; firstly – that of the violinist-as-arranger and secondly – the use of folk music in the creation of Ukrainian classical music. In addition to the performance, discussions will focus on the arranging process including approaches, inspirations, and strategies used, as well as some background information about the history of Ukraine’s national style of classical music. It is hoped that the presentation will serve as a source of inspiration for string players to undertake their own exploration of this arranging tradition and for teachers looking for new works to develop the technique of their advanced students. Additionally, the historical context provided is immensely relevant, given current world events.

Aböut Markiyan Melnychenko

Ukrainian-Australian 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 across the world including solo performances in London, New York, Washington DC, and has made a number of concerto appearances with orchestras in Japan, Ukraine, Australia and the United States. In 2013 he performed at the luncheon for Barack Obama’s Presidential Inauguration and is a multiple 1st prize winner in national and international competitions.

He 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. Markiyan obtained his Bachelor and Masters of Music at the Eastman School of Music studying under 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.