Lubomyr Melnyk

Lubomyr Melnyk (born December 20, 1948) is a composer and pianist of Ukrainian origin.Melnyk is noted for his continuous music, a piano technique based on extremely rapid notes and complex note-series, usually with the sustain pedal held down to generate harmonic overtones and sympathetic resonances. The virtuoso plays rapid sequences thanks to his ability to play up to 19 notes per second (with each hand). These overtones blend or clash according to harmonic changes. Most of his music is for piano, but he has also composed chamber and orchestral works. According to the pianist, his piano music requires a special technique, closely related to the Martial Arts, and is too complex and difficult for any concert pianists to play. Because of his lifelong devotion to the piano, he has been called The Prophet Of The Piano.