Many pianos – one pianist

A pianist pays the piano.

In Alexander Melnikov's case, this sentence is incomplete. To be precise: He plays the harpsichord, the fortepiano and the grand piano, and he also conducts his concerts. 

The latter he demonstrated at his second concert during his residency at Beethovenfest 2022. He led the Ensemble Resonanz from the piano, playing two outsanding concertos of the 20th century. Paul Hindemith's Die vier Temperamente may be cetegorized as a symphonic poem with solo piano. Additionally in the programme: the seldomly played concerto for piano and trumpet by Dimitri Schostakowitsch.

Five keyboard instruments in one concert

In conversation, Alexander Melnikov declared to be unafraid of diverse pianistic undertakings – in the contrary. He was one of the first international concert pianists who seriously endeavured to play historical keyboard instruments. He choses his harpsichords and fortepianos with great care and in his programmes sets them on equal footing with the grand piano. 

The extraordinary recital »Many Pianos« at Rhein Sieg Forum led through the history of piano building since the 17th century. For a concert with five instruments on stage, not only the logistic and tuning necessities are immense. Also, the pianist faces the challenge of mentally adjusting to differing playing techniques and sound worlds. The resulting benefit was music heard within its historical sound and aesthetic – illuminating for the inner logic of the musical languages from Johann Sebastian Bach to Alfred Schnittke.

Not a mere accompanist

Another hallmark of Alexander Melnikov as a pianist: He is a passionate chamber musician and regulary plays concerts as an accompanist. In his initial concert as artist in residence, he presented himseld humbly as accompanist of soprano Anna Prohaska with arias by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. 

With violinist Isabelle Faust he has a longstanding relationship as a duo. At Melnikov's final residency concert, they brought three Beethoven violin sonatas to Kleine Beethovenhalle. In this music, the piano is no mere accompaniment. Playing on a fortepiano and a historical gut-strung violin, they succeeded in a sophisticated Beethoven interpretation.

Alexander Melnikov filled the idea of a residency with life. He used his time in Bonn to live out as many facets of his artistic interests as possible. The audiences were able to experience him from different angles. And he brought with him exciting music and programmes that showed his serious pursuit of artistic quality.