Violinist Oleh Krysa is Davyd Oystrakh’s student, one of the most called-for contemporary performers. This time the famous musician came to play a concert of classic violin masterpieces at the Lviv Philharmonic Society: Wagner, Brahms, Schubert, Kreisler, Sarasate, Debussy, Paganini, and Glier. His upcoming tour will cover the world’s largest music centers. A unique repertoire lets him complete many projects, such as performing all Mozart and Beethoven concerts. The current “history of the violin concert” cycle includes 18 different scores. In general, Krysa’s repertoire consists of 72 violin concerts (!), including doubles and triples from all the epochs.
Over 20 years ago you left permanently. Have you had thoughts about coming back to the Motherland?
“There are wonderful opportunities to incarnate my ideas and projects in the USA, which would be difficult to carry out here in Ukraine. However, I remain a European, a Ukrainian. Each time I come to home is like a holiday. I teach and play in the States. I am a professor at the Eastman School of Music at the Rochester university. I teach young people from several countries. At present my students include Japanese, Koreans, Australians and Poles. And I play many concerts as well. I would probably come back if the conditions were different and I was younger, but I am no longer 30 or 50 years old… I had my Ukrainian period, then a Russian one, and now – American. I never saw the fact that people immigrate as a tragedy, because they can find new ideas, enrich their creativity, and then give it back to their Motherland through their concerts, classes, communication and so on.”
Do you have any Ukrainian students at the moment?
“Yes. There is Markian Melnychenko, who came to take my classes from Australia. His mother is a pianist, a relative of famous singer Mentsynsky. She grew up in Lviv and raised a talented son. I can proudly say that my class is one of the best: performance quality increases with every year as well as geographical extent.”
How often do you play Ukrainian music? In your opinion, what is the role of Ukrainian music in the world?
“One can rarely hear Ukrainian music in America. Mainly at author’s concerts, festivals, and special projects connected with Ukrainian art. I play a lot of Ukrainian music. In particular, I recorded three concerts with the orchestra of Oleksandr Shtoharenko, Vitaliy Hubarenko, and Myroslav Skoryk. I also play Yevhen Stankovych, Valentyn Sylvestrov, and Ivan Karabyts. Moreover, some works were born in cooperation with these composers. In my opinion their music is wonderful, and of a high quality. Once, after performing and recording Skoryk’s first concert, I brought a record to Oystrakh. He listened to it carefully and then said, ‘Let’s do it once more!’ And he listened to it more than twice, asking for the notes, a score, and later went on to observe Skoryk’s work. Oystrakh wanted to play Skoryk’s works himself, but his death prevented that. For many years I have been trying to spread Ukrainian music, but it is not easy!”
What music is closer to you: classic or modern?
“I always listened to modern music, and this was further encouraged by my friendship with Skoryk, Stankovych, Karabyts, Sylvestrov, their colleagues from Russia: Alfred Shnitke, Sofia Hubaidullina, Edison Denysov, other composers, particularly Australian and American, who dedicated their works to me. Music can be of high level regardless of whether it was written in 18th or 21st century. I play beautiful modern music and I believe that it carries the same values and motives as Mozart’s and Beethoven’s. I was a very close friend with the composers who are called ‘modern classics’ nowadays. You know, I wanted to compose music since childhood but quickly realized that it was not my business, though composing music is still exciting for me. When I see how a composition is being born, and then incarnated on stage, it is a wonderful process that I admire.
“There are several works that really sank into my soul. I continue to play my favorites. You cannot approach music in another way. I had periods when I admired romantic music. Later, when I became wiser, I started playing classic. Then modern music appeared…I like baroque, although I do not play it. But I apply its elements when I teach my students.”
Your entire family is made up of musicians, both wife and sons. How did you pass on the love for music to your children?
“One son was born in Moscow, another in Kyiv. We lived near the conservatory in Moscow. The Big and Small halls became a second home to the little kids. We often took our sons to concerts. They saw applauses and flowers. But at the same time they understood that in order to become a professional musician, it was necessary to work hard. And surely there was a bit of home terror, when my sons worked on music-homework. By the way, during childhood I did not like to play the violin! I liked playing soccer and to run outside with my peers. I cannot say that we forced our sons to play music! We did it because we saw that they were talented. They had a sense of rhythm, and liked listening to music. Fortunately, we did not have any major conflicts. Now they are professional musicians, we sometimes even perform together. I am very glad that they did not quit playing music whilst abroad. In the USA music is not a profession for making money. Fortunately, our sons continue playing music and I think it is too late for them to change their professions. The only thing I can say is that music changes one’s soul…”
You have grandchildren, are they perpetuating their musical heritage?
“One is 22, and the other is 11 years old. The younger has started a bit… The older has not, although he enjoys music a lot.”
How long have you been married and how do you manage to balance professional and personal life?
“We have been married for 44 years. There are very few stable marriages amongst creative people… [Krysa’s wife is Tetiana Chekyna, a pianist – Author]. We try hard. Besides, music unites us. However, there are hard times as well. But thought thrives on conflict…”
Do you have any pieces of Ukraine at home?
“Yes! There are Ukrainian carpets, cushions, and embroideries in the bedroom. There is a Ukrainian minimalist icon – we like it a lot. My father presented it to us with the words: ‘Let it protect you.’ In the kitchen, Tania likes to use Hutsul plates and a cupboard. We have a lot of wooden candlesticks. The rooms are decorated with the pictures of Ukrainian painters. We also have Russian, Australian and Japanese corners.”
What are your other hobbies?
“I lost soccer in America. There is no soccer there, only games which I do not accept or like. I liked soccer since childhood and when I come to Europe, I get stuck to the TV and watch matches even at night. These tremendous shows are a true joy for me. I like traveling. As soon as we have an opportunity, we go to museum exhibitions. We are also crazy about collecting. My wife, for example, collects gels, and I – little duck statues.”
Who are your friends?
“I am proud that Myroslav Skoryk calls me a friend. I have friends in Lviv, Kyiv, and Moscow, with whom I stay in contact. Two years ago I lost a friend, Alik Slobodianyk [famous virtuoso pianist, received his music education in Lviv and Moscow, died in New Jersey at the age of 67 – Author], which was shocking. As one friend said, ‘if you look in the passport, you will understand how old you are.’ We had been friends through the decades.”
The Day’s NOTE
The path of virtuoso violinist Oleh Krysa began in Solomia Krushelnytska secondary music school (Kostiantyn Mykhailov class). He reached his peaks under the lead of the well-known maestro Davyd Oystrakh at the Tchaikovsky Moscow conservatory. As a student, Krysa was a laureate of several international competitions. He gained his first great victory at the Paganini International competition in Genoa. From 1967 Krysa taught at the Tchaikovsky Kyiv conservatory, from 1973 – at the Gnesin Moscow Academy of Music, from 1974 – at the Moscow conservatory. In 1989 he left with his wife, Tetiana Chekyna, a pianist, to the USA. The 67 year-old Oleh Krysa is a professor at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester.
