Lubomyr Melnyk
Colchester Arts Centre
5/5

SELF-EFFACING and modest in the extreme, the genius that is Lubomyr Melnyk takes his place at the piano.
What follows is a revelation, totally unlike a typical piano recital.

A disciple of the minimalist movement of the 1970s, the Ukrainian composer and pianist — who plays for much of the time with his eyes closed — is as much concerned with the actual acoustic properties of the piano as the music he creates.

After reminding the audience that the impact of his music has nothing to do with him and everything to do with the instrument, Melnyk goes on to deliver the beautiful ascending harmonics and the perpetual sonic dance which marks out what he describes as “continuous piano music.”

Renowned as one of the world’s fastest piano players, Melnyk’s fingers blur over the keys as he creates his compelling rhythms within rhythms.

He plays somewhere beyond the notation of the score, offering luscious arpeggios and at times jagged musical forms which induce an almost transcendental state.

Each track is an irresistible force.

Constructed from the overlaying of minute parts which mesh together in unexpected and continuous melodic sequences, Melnyk uses the energy of each note and chord to create striations at different volumes which have a huge emotional impact.

Trillium, which opens the set, along with Butterflies and Parasol, take the listener on a very special journey.

But it is with his recent creation, barely a month old, that the performance really takes hold.

Lament and Windmills, delivered with all of Melon’s technical virtuosity in transmuting original material into something very different, is truly something special.

• Lubomyr Melnyk’s album Corollaries is available on Erased Tapes.

Review by Peter Lindley