Organist, composer and winner of many international competitions. Played in many famous venues from the Westminster Abbey in London and Notre-Dame de Paris to Tchaikovsky Hall in Moscow.
“Ekaterina is a marvellous musician! She has a fine sense of registration and colour.” Jean Guillou
“She has a marvellous technical facility but in addition, such persuasion and energy in her interpretations combined with total commitment to the music she is playing.” Sir Nicholas Danby
“Ekaterina is a prolific composer and arranger and has been commissioned to write music for several important Russian state cultural events, including the inauguration of the new Glatter-Götz organ at the Bolshoy Theatre. Ekaterina’s organ transcriptions of Saint-Saёns’ The Carnival of the Animals and Borodin’s Polovtian Dances are published by Wayne Leupold Editions.” Grand Organ Festival, Westminster Cathedral 2019
Born of a leading Moscow music family, Ekaterina Melnikova’s early talent was nurtured by the best of the Russian musical tradition. Her performance career includes important venues in Russia, the Middle East and Europe. 2005-2008 principal organist of Moscow RC Cathedral, 2003-2008 was teaching organ improvisation at the Russian Gnessin Academy of Music. 2000-2014 Organ Soloist of Moscow State Philharmonia. She gained the reputation of the master of organ transcriptions and creator of new organ repertoire.
Since 2009 started to present organ projects in a new format where organist becomes an author and a performer, collaborating with other musicians, using modern stage production technology.
Ekaterina has received several commissions to compose and perform music for state events at the most iconic of Russia’s venues:
2013
-”Royal Fanfare” for Inauguration concert ceremony of the new Glatter Gotz Organ on Historical stage of Bolshoi Theatre,
– “Hymn” on Christina Rossetti poem for the solemn opening of the exhibition “Pre-Raphaelits- Victorian Avangard” in Pushkin State Museum of the Fine Arts
2014
«Светлый Отрок» (“A Fair Lad”) for men’s choir and Russian bells on poems by M.Tsvetayeva, M.Voloshin, P.Tchaikovsky, lines from a liturgical text about Sergy Radonezky, 2014.
Cantata “Saint Vladimir” for men’s choir, organ and bells, 2016
«La Musique» poème symphonique sur des parole de Charles Baudlaire. Dédicace romantique en l’honneur de la seconde naissance du Grand Orgue de la Grande Salle du Conservatoire de Moscou, 2017
EDUCATION
1973-1984 Central Music School, Moscow
Piano, Chamber Ensemble
1984-1989 Moscow State Conservatoire
Degree Courses in Musicology and teaching, Organ Concert Performance and Chamber Music
Graduated with Distinctions
1989-1991 Moscow State Conservatoire
Post Graduate, Concert Organ Performance under Alexei Parshin
Graduated with Distinction
1996-1998 Royal Academy of Music, London
Advanced Post Graduate Organ Performance corse under Nicholas Danby, David Titterington, Dame Gillian Weir (interpretation), Naji Hakim improvisation
Graduated with Distinction
COMPETITIONS AND AWARDS
1981 Prague
Concertino-Praga International Competition of Chamber Music
Piano, First Prize
1998 London
Royal Academy of Music
Lady Budge Prize in Organ Improvisation
Organ Accompaniment
First prize
1999 Russia
The First International Mikael Tariverdiev Organ Competition
Laureate and Special Prize Winner
RECORDINGS
Handel, Organ Concertos, Tchaikovsky, Children’s Album and Saint-Saens, Carnival of the Animals,
Transcribed for the organ by E. Melnikova. Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Dmitry Yablonsky.Published by Bel Air Music and Recorded in Monaco Cathedral, 2000
Tariverdiev, Organ Symphony Chernobyl and his other works.
Published by BombaMusic and recorded in St Bavo Cathedral, Haarlem, Holland.2001
“Sacrum Tridium Paschale” Roman Catholic Cathedral Moscow 2006
“The Music of The Greats”
Recorded in Turku Cathedral and Kaliningrad State Philharmonia 2009 Published by Aedus Production
“Dea Incognita”
Recorded in Moscow on Glatter Gotz new organ builded for Murmansk Northen Ship Company, MSCO 2010
“Nothern Lights”
MSCO 2014
“The Eternal Dispute”
MSCO 2015
COMPOSITIONS
Ave Verum for SATB choir and organ (2007)
Variations on J-J Rousseau theme for organ solo (2008)
Ubi caritas for SATB Choir and organ (2008)
Passacaglia on Percell’s theme “Didona’s lamentations” for organ solo (2009)
Missa XXI for SATB choir and organ (2010 ) (version for choir simphony orchestra 2019 )
“Industrial” Cantata for Choir, Organ, solo flute and electronics 2011
“Roman Holidyas” Ouverture -for organ solo 2011
“Lullaby” for womens Choir, organ, strings and celesta 2011
Toccata Freeway for organ solo
“Beauty” three motets on English poems for men”s choir and Oboe 2012
“Beethoven Tango” for Contrabass and Organ 2012
“Hearts” three pieces on D.A Prigov scetches for organ solo 2012 (version for simphony orchestra 2019)
Royal Fanfars for Organ Choir and Brass Quintet 2013
“Hymn “ on Ch.Rossetti poem for Choir and brass quintet 2013
“B-B-C”-Ouverture on British Themes for trumpet and organ 2014
“Tudors” Fantasy on tunes by Henry the VIII for gamba and organ-portative
«Светлый Отрок» for men’s Choir and Russian bells on Russian poems by M.Tsvetayeva, M.Voloshin, P.Tchaikovsky, Liturgical text about Sergy Radonezky, 2014.
Cantata for men’s Choir, organ, bells to a Saint Vladimir, 2016
«La Musique» poeme simphonique on texte by Bodlaire,
for organ, Choir, Brass octet, soprano and cello, celebrating second birthday after the restoration of famous Grand Orgue Cavalle-Coll in the Great Hall of Moscow State Conservatoire, 2017.
Choral preludes 2016, 2017
Valer Mass for soprano, trumpet and organ, comissioned by Valer and Solor International organ Fest 2018
PUBLICATIONS
Published by Wayne Leupold Editions, North Carolina, USA:
Saint-Saens, Carnival of the Animals, transcription for organ by E. Melnikova.
A.P.Borodin Polvtzian Dances from Prince Igor- tanscription for organ by E Melnikova
G.Rossini Barber of Seville Sinfonia Transcription for organ by E.Melnikova
Published by Carus Verlag:
E.Melnikova , Choral preludes 2016, 2017
Published by Moscow State Concervatoire:
E Melnikova ”La Musique” poeme simphonique
Participation in FILMS
1995 TV film “The music of Cesar Franck”
2004 Film “Quo Vadis?” based on Mikael Tariverdiev’s Organ Symphony
MAJOR RECITALS
Moscow State Conservatoire concert halls regularly since1993
Tchaikovsky Philharmonic Hall, Moscow, regularly since 2003
Moscow Svetlanovsky Hall, regularly since 2005
Westminster Abbey, London1997,1998
St. Petersburg Philharmonic Hall 2001,2006
La Trinite, Paris 2001
St. Pauls Cathedral, London 2001
St. Eustache, Paris 2003
Leeds Town Hall 2001-2007 regularly
Assembly Hall, American University in Beirut 2002, 2004, 2005
Cologne Cathedral 2007
St.Clotilde, Paris 2010
Bolshoi Theatre, Moscow 2013
Monaco Cathedral 2013
Notre Dame de Paris 2015
FESTIVALS
St. Albans International Festival, England 1996
Prestige D’Orgue St Eustage 2003
Al Bustan Festival, Lebanon 2002, 2004, 2005
Northern Palmira, St. Petersburg 2001
Leeds Film Festival 2003
Russian Winter, Moscow 2004
International Organ Festival, Almaty, Kazakhstan 2004,2006
Days of Russian Culture, Yerevan, Armenia 1999
Year of Russian culture in France St. Clotilde -Paris 2011
15th International Organ Festival, Asturias, Spain 2003
Semana de musica Religiosa Spain Asturias 2004,2005,2008
Days of Russian Culture Berlin 2009
Russian Winter in Tallin Philharmonic Hall , Estonia
Internationaler Orgelsommer Abtei Himmerod 2010, 2012
Moscow International Film Festival 2012
Bolshoi Theatre Inauguration concert of New Organ on Historical Stage 2013
Monaco Cathedral International Organ Festival 2013
Valer&Solor International Organ Festival 2017, 2018, 2019 Norway
Westminster Cathedral Grand Organ Festival 2019
TEACHING
2004-2008
Organ Improvisation and Art of Transcription
at Russian Gnessin Academy of Music (Moscow)
MASTER CLASSES:
Tbilisi, Georgia Conservatoire 2001
The American University in Beirut 2007
London St Gile International Organ School 2001
Oundle, Cambridge International Summer Organ School 2001, 2008
Queen Margaret’s School for Girls, York, England 2002
CONDUCTORS played with
Vladimir Fedoseyev, Dmitry Yablonsky, Vladimir Ponkin, Paolo Olmo,Teodor Kurenzis, Sergei Skripka
ORCHESTRAS played with
Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra, State Tchaikovsky Orchestra, Moscow Conservatoire Chamber Orchestra, Lebanese Symphony Orchestra, State simphonic orchestra of cinematography
PROGRAMMES
Themed
Russian organ music
English organ music 16th to the 20th centuries
French organ music 16th to the 20th centuries
Ferenc Liszt, Bach and Mendelsohn
Handel’s organ concertos
Mikael Tariverdiev
Ensemble
Organ Plus: trumpet, violin, cello, piano, voice, clarinet, flute, saxophone, harpsichord, dance, percussions, ethnic instruments, rock group.
Special
Musica Selecta
Art of Transcription
Orchestral Masterpieces on the Organ
Quo Vadis?
Famous Music from Famous Films
Organ and Dance
A Musical Journey to the Cathedral’s of Europe
Improvisations for silent films:
Ernst Lubich films at Moscow film festival 2012
“Anne Boleyn”, “Madam Dubarry”, “Wild Cat”
Mikhail Romm “Boule de suif” après Guy de Maupassant at the celebration of 90 years of MOSFILM
Sergey Eisenschtein Battleship “Potyomkin” Kaliningrad Cathedral
Organ Projects in the new format (performance-spectacle):
The Music of the Greats 2009
Tales of Love 2010
School of Antonio Salieri 2010
Water Music 2010
Crossroads 2011
Roman Holidays 2011
Organ in the Space of Fashion 2012
A Window to Paris 2012
Greenwich Mean Time 2014
Katya in Wonderland (for children) 2016
Dancing King 2018
Winternight Dream 2019
Transcriptions for Organ Solo:
- Sergei Prokofiev ‘Battle On The Ice” from Cantata “Alexander Nevsky”
- Sergei Prokofiev ‘Ivan The Terrible’ Suite from Film Score
- S.Bach ‘Herr, unser Herrscher’ from ‘Saint John Passions’
- S.Bach Aria Alto from ‘Saint Matthew Passions’
- S.Bach – Gounod – Melnikova ‘Ave Maria – Carillion’
- B.Pergolesi ‘Quando Corpus’ from ‘Stabat Mater’
- Salieri ‘Benedictus”
- A.Mozart ‘Allegro’ from Simphony No 40
- Rossini ‘Il Barbieru Di Siviglia, Act II – Temporale’
- Donizetti ‘Una furtiva lagrima’
- Puccini ‘Mio Babbino Caro’ from ‘Gianni Schicchi’
- Schubert ‘Forellenquintett’, Variations
- Schubert Marche Caractéristique No 2 for Organ and Piano
- Mendelson – two piano pieces
- Saint-Saens ‘Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso’
- I.Tchaikovsky Arabian, Chinese and Russian Dances from ‘Nuttcracker’
- Smetana ‘March and Dance of Comedians’ from ‘Bartered Bride’
- Strauss Overture to ‘Die Fledermaus’
- Strauss Waltz ‘Blue Danube’ for Organ and Piano
- Michael Nyman ‘Wheelbarrow Walk’, ‘Love Does Not End’, ‘All Imperfect Things’
- Orf ‘O Fortuna’ from ‘Carmina Burana’
- Tiersen ‘Comptine d’un autre été’
- Moricone ‘One Upon a Time in America’ Fluite Theme
- Rota Waltz from ‘Godfather’, ‘Passerella d’Adio’from ‘8 1/2”
- Shostakovich Waltz from Jazz Suite No 2
Compositions:
Choral:
- Ave Verum for SATB Choir and Organ
- Ubi Caritas for SATB Choir and Organ
- Missa XXI for SATB Choir and Organ
- ‘Industrial Cantata’ for SATB Choir, Organ and Flute
- ‘Beauty’ – Triptych on English Poetry (‘Katherine’ by R.L.Stevenson, ‘Beauty’ by J.Masefield, ‘Red Red Rose’ by R.Burns) for Men’s Choir and Oboe
- ‘Birthday’ (Hymn) on Christina Rosetti Poem for SATB Choir and Brass Quintet
- ‘Lullaby’ for Women’s Choir, String Quartet, Organ and Celesta
- ‘Royal Fanfar’ for Brass Quintet, Organ and SABT Choir
- Canticle based on poetry: young P.I.Tschaikovsky, M.Voloshin, M.Tsvetayeva, Russian Orthodox traditional psalm ‘Sergii Radonezhski’ for Men’s Choir and Russian Bells 2014
- Cantata“Vladimir the Saint “ for Men’Choir organ and Russian bells2016
- ‘Ave Maria’ for Men’s Choir and Treble 2016
- “The Valer Mass” for voice, trumpet and organ 2018
- “Chorus deligentibus” for men’s choir 2018
Organ Solo:
Variations on J-J Rousseau Theme,
Ouverture “Roman Holiday”(Tarantella)
Coliseum -Rock -Passacaglia
Toccata Freeway
“Hearts” Tryptich on D.A.Prigov scetches :Heart of Graal, Red Heart, Light of Heart
“Bythantian Chant”
Organ +
“BBC” Ouverture on British Themes Trumpet and organ
“Beethoven Tango” for organ and double bass
Ostinato for organ and celesta
“Raga” for saxophone and organ
Published
transcriptions for organ of:
Saint-Saens Carnival of the Animals, Borodine “Polovtzian Dances” Rossini ouverture
Il barbiere de Sevile”BY Wayne&Leupold Editions 2002-2008
Compositions
Two choral preludes for Choralvorspiele fur orgel zum Gotteslob band 3 ,4
Carus Verlag 2016,2018
“La Musique” poeme symphonique for organ & SABT Choir, brass octet, solo cello,
solo soprano Moscow State Conservatoire