Mykola Suk

(USA, Ukraine)

Pianist Mykola Suk gained international recognition as the winner of the First Prize and Gold Medal at the 1971 International Liszt-Bartok Competition in Budapest. He has appeared to great acclaim as both soloist and chamber musician on the major concert stages throughout the former USSR, in Europe, and in the Middle East. A performer of both traditional and contemporary music, he has premiered a number of concerts and solo works by composers such as Valentin Sylvestrov, Ivan Karabits, Myroslav Skoryk and Virko Baley, some ofthem written especially for him.

Following his American debut at Weil1 Recital Hall in 1991, Mr. Suk has appeared with orchestras in Europe and in the United States, which included the Chicago premiere of Schnittke's Concert for piano and Strings. He toured triumphantly with the State Orchestra of Ukraine throughout Austria and Germany. In addition, Mr. Suk regularly participates in major chambermusic festivals in the U.S.A., Europe, and Australia.

Mykola Suk has performed the complete cycle of Beethoven sonatas for piano and violin with Oleh Krysa throughout the former Soviet Union and in the United States, including a performance at Lincoln Center's Alice Tully Hall in 1991.

Born in Kiev into a family of musicians, pianist Mykola Suk studied at the Kiev Special Music School and at the Moscow Conservatory with Lev Vlasenko. He has been awarded the title of Outstanding Artist of the Ukraine. Formerly on the faculty of the Kiev and Moscow Conservatories, he now lives in New York City where he is Artist-in-esidence at the Ukrainian Institute of America.