Lubomyr Melnyk: The six day moment

Lubomyr Melnyk is a Ukranian pianist and composer who pioneered the concept of “continuous music” in the 1970s. “Continuous music” can be described as a never-ending and unbroken stream of notes played very quickly with both hands while holding down the sustain pedal. From a technical point of view, these continuous waves of sound can translate into up to 19 notes per second, making Lubomyr Melnyk a record breaking virtuoso.

photo credit: g.rohs via photopin cc

This music is based on a totally new technique of piano playing, with new kinds of mental activity required to operate the fingers – and a new metaphysical way of experiencing the piano’s beautiful sound – one can say that Continuous Music develops new lines of contact between the mind, the heart, and the fingers. These special lines-of-contact have much in common with Eastern philosophy and Tai Chi — where a special ENERGY develops in the body, after years of specified training, so that the pianist can, somewhat like the samurai warrior, perform “impossible” feats that defy normal imagination […] Continuous Music changes the player physically, mentally and spiritually : the heart beat is altered, the hands and fingers become soft and pliant, even weightless, the arms become totally flexible and water-like.

writes the pianist on his website.

According to the musician, this particular approach to music can also become a transformational experience for the audience. There is no denying that “the six day moment” is a beautiful and breathtaking piece of free flowing piano.

The complete 11mn track is streaming on Soundcloud.