Semchuk Oleksandr Mykhailovych (known as Oles Semchuk) (born 12 October 1976, Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine) is a Ukrainian violin virtuoso, teacher, professor, Honoured Artist of Ukraine, since 2011 the head of the string department of the International Music Academy "Meetings with the Maestro" (Imola, Italy). Since 2002, he has been living and working in Italy. He is referred to in the press as the "Prince of Violin".
Oleksandr Semchuk was born on 12 October 1976 in Ivano-Frankivsk into a family of musicians: his father was a head teacher of the Ivano-Frankivsk Music School named after D. Sichynskyi, his mother was a teacher of music and theoretical disciplines. Oleksandr Semchuk's mother died when the violinist was 16 years old. Oleksandr's family has three other sisters, all of whom have chosen the profession of musicians. Oles began learning to play the violin at the age of 4 from Ihor Pyliatyuk, when his sister Sviatoslav was studying at a music school. The boy was talented in music from an early age, so his teacher suggested that his parents send Oles to the Mykola Lysenko Kyiv Special Music School. At the age of 12, the violinist won his first major victory at a competition.
Since 2002, Oleksandr Semchuk has been working and living in Italy. In his performance style, the musician managed to combine two violin schools - the national one (influenced by his studies with Bohodar Kotorovych, Viktor Tretyakov, Mykhailo Vaiman and Yaroslava Rivnyak) and the Western European one (thanks to his lessons with Yehudi Menuhin, Tibor Varga[hu], Albert Lysy and Mykola Chumachenko).
The musician is constantly improving his skills, actively performs, and holds masterclasses. In 1998, he formed a duet with Hanna Seredenko. For a long time, he was the first violinist of the Sinopoli quartet. He promotes Ukrainian music abroad (in support of the Revolution of Dignity, he performed at the Cultural and Information Centre, performing Yevhen Stankovych's Maidan Mural). He is often the first performer of works by Myroslav Skoryk and Yevhen Stankovych (premiered his work "Plea for Peace" at the XVI Rassegna Musicale d'Autunno Festival in San Marino). Founder (together with Hanna Seredenko) of the charity project "Artists for the Spiritual Revival of Ukraine". He has toured as a soloist in Switzerland, Finland, Russia, Austria, the Czech Republic, South Korea, France, China, Germany, the USA, England, Australia, and Sweden.
In his work, he uses a violin made by the master Auguste Bernardel in 1855 and a bow "White Lady" by the master Navea-Vera. The instruments are the property of the artist.
In addition to Ukrainian, he is fluent in English and Italian.
Family.
Father: Semchuk Mykhailo Petrovych (14.07.1927 Loieva - 17.01.2018 Ivano-Frankivsk). Musician, teacher at the Denys Sichynskyi Music School.
Mother: Semchuk Yaroslava Stepanivna (07.09.1940 Obertyn - 17.02.1991 Ivano-Frankivsk). Musician, teacher of theoretical disciplines at the Denys Sichynskyi Music School.
Sisters: Hrek Oksana Mykhailivna (01.12.1957 Lutsk), Kosovan Viktoriia Mykhailivna (14.09.1972 Ivano-Frankivsk), Semchuk Sviatoslavna (04.02.1975 Ivano-Frankivsk).
Wife: Ksenia Milas (25.09.1989 Volgograd) is a famous violinist.
Pet: pinscher "Lord Semchukini"
Education.
2004-2006 - Diploma of the Vienna Conservatory, specialising in violin (postgraduate studies).
2002 - Diploma of the Sorbonne University of Paris, International Masterclasses for stringed instruments and chamber music.
2000-2001 - Diploma of the Higher National Conservatory of Music and Dance in Lyon, specialising in violin (third cycle, postgraduate studies).
In 1999, he studied with professors Viktor Tretyakov and Mikhail Wyman at the International Academy of Musical Arts in Neuilly-sur-Seine (France); in the same year, he also studied with the famous maestro Tibor Varga[hu] at the Ecole Supérieure de Musique in Sion.
1993-1997 - Diploma with honours from the Petro Tchaikovsky National Music Academy of Ukraine, specialising in violin (class of Professor Bohodar Kotorovych).
1986-1993 - Diploma with honours from the Mykola Lysenko Kyiv Secondary Specialised Music Boarding School, specialising in violin (class of Professor Bohodar Kotorovych, assistant Y. Rivniak).
Trained at the Yehudi Menuhin International Music Academy in Gstaad[de] and the Sydney Conservatory.
Activity
1995-2000 - artist of the National Chamber Ensemble "Kyiv Soloists".
1997-2002 - violin teacher at the Mykola Lysenko Kyiv Music School, and later at the Glière Kyiv Music School.
1998-2000 - National Academic Orchestra of Folk Instruments of Ukraine, first as an orchestra member and then as a soloist.
2002-2008 - Senior Violin Lecturer and Assistant Professor of Violin at the Fiesole Music School (Italy).
2008-2010 - Professor of Violin at the Rome International Academy "DI.ES.IS".
2008-2011 - Professor of violin at the Florence Academy of Music.
Since 2010 - Professor of Violin and Head of the Department of Stringed Instruments at the International Music Academy "Meetings with the Maestro" (Imola, Italy).
Since 2012, he has been a regular guest professor of violin at state conservatories in Bologna, Trento, Cesena and Reggio Emilia.
2016-2017 - Artistic Director of the International String Concert Academy of San Marino.
Since 2017, he has been giving masterclasses at the Royal College of Music in London.
He also regularly holds summer masterclasses in Paris (France), San Marino (Republic of San Marino), Kyiv (Ukraine), Porec (Croatia), Rome, Florence, Mantua, Portogruaro, Imola, Gubbio, Potenza (Italy).
Ukrainian conductors with whom Oles Semchuk has collaborated
Pavlo Baginsky
Ihor Blazhkov
Vlasenko Allin
Glushchenko Fedir
Hutsal Viktor
Dushchenko Yevhen
Dyadyura Mykola
Zhadko Victoria
Karabits Kirill
Kozhukhar Volodymyr
Kotorovych Bogodar
Kofman Roman
Kurkov George
Lysenko Vitaliy
Mykola Lysenko (junior)
Valerii Matiukhin
Pilatyuk Ihor
Ponomarchuk Nataliia
Roman Revakovych
Sirenko Volodymyr
Mykola Sukach
Famous musicians with whom O. Semchuk collaborated
Baatarzhavyn Enkhbaatar (Enkhe), conductor
Bogino Kostantin, pianist
Brunello Mario (Brunello Mario), cellist
Canino Bruno, pianist
Casellati Alvise, conductor
Cohen David, cellist
Eppinger Niklas, cellist
Fratta Gianna, conductor
Koelman Rudolf, violinist
Kogan Oleg, cellist
Kugel Michael, violist
Lipanovič Ivo, conductor
Lucchesini Andrea, pianist
Mandozzi Orfeo, cellist
Marangoni Alessandro, pianist
Mendelssohn Vladimir (Mendelssohn Vladimir), violist
Mirabassi Gabriele (Gabriele Mirabassi), clarinetist
Petrushansky Boris, pianist
Rysanov Maxim, violist, conductor
Sollima Giovanni, cellist, conductor
Shapovalov Denis, cellist, conductor
Viytovych Andriy, violist, conductor
Participation in the jury of international competitions
2019/05 - 1st Sergio Dragoni National String Quartet Competition (Milan, Italy), jury member[1];
2018/07 - 1st International Competition "Città di Villafranca di Verona" (Villafranca di Verona, Italy), President of the Jury;
2018/05 - 16th Luigi Zanuccoli International Competition for Young Musicians (Sogliano al Rubicone, Italy), member of the jury;
2018/04 - 19th National Competition "Riviera Etrusca" (Piombino, Italy), member of the jury;
2018/03 - 24th Giulio Rospilosi National Chamber Music Competition (Lamporecchio, Italy), President of the Jury;
2017/05 - 15th Luigi Zanuccoli International Competition for Young Musicians (Sogliano al Rubicone, Italy), member of the jury;
2016/12 - III Giuseppe Acherby International Chamber Music Competition (Mantua, Italy), President of the Jury;
2016/09 - I International Competition of the International String Concert Academy of San Marino (San Marino), President of the Jury;
2016/04 - II International Violin Competition "Pellegrino da Montechiaro" (Monticari, Italy), President of the Jury;
2015/12 - II Giuseppe Acherby International Chamber Music Competition (Mantua, Italy), President of the Jury;
2015/02 - I International Violin Competition "Città di Imola" (Imola, Italy), member of the jury;
2014/10 - I Giuseppe Acherbi International Chamber Music Competition (Mantua, Italy), President of the Jury;
2014/05 - II International Competition "Città di Barlassina" (Barlassina, Italy), member of the jury;
2013/05 - National Competition for Young Performers "Città di Bardolino" (Bardolino, Italy), member of the jury;
2013/05 - National Competition for Young Performers "Val di Sole" (Trentino, Italy), member of the jury;
2007/08 - II International Competition for Young Performers "Piccolo violino magico" (Little Magic Violin) (Portogruaro, Italy), member of the selection committee.
Pedagogical activity
The Maestro combines intense concert activity with teaching. His numerous students are winners of many international competitions, work as concertmasters of world-famous orchestras, and conduct their own active concert and teaching activities. Among them are such well-known young musicians as:
Bidoli Alessio: soloist, SONY Classics and WARNER Classics artist;
Borrani Lorenza: soloist, concertmaster of the Mahler Orchestra;
Bortolotto Laura: winner of the Hindemith International Competition (Berlin), Vittorio Veneto International Competition (Venice) and Postacchini International Competition (Fermo);
Brinckmeier Giulia: soloist, concertmaster of the Bilbao Orchestra (Spain);
Broz Barbara: soloist, SONY Classics artist and violinist of the eponymous Broz Trio;
Van Kuijk Nicolas: first violinist of the eponymous Van Kuijk Quartet;
Kim Ji Won: soloist, first prize at the Brahms Competition;
Clamagirand Fanny: soloist, winner of the Chrysler Competition in Vienna and the Monaco Competition;
Kouznetsova Maria: winner of 9 international competitions, including China Guang Ya Chengdu, Andrea Postacchini Concorso, Oistrakh Competition, Adriatico Music Competition, Manhattan Music Competition and others;
Laca Cecilia: concertmaster of the San Carlo Theatre Orchestra (Naples, Italy);
Margulis Alissa: soloist, teacher;
Marquise Gilmore Benjamin: soloist, first prize at the Brahms Competition;
Mazzon Silvia: soloist, teacher;
Milas Ksenia: soloist, artist of Anima Records, Paris;
Misciagna Marco: actively performing, internationally renowned soloist;
Senese Francesco: soloist, concertmaster of the Mozart Symphony Orchestra founded by conductor Claudio Abbado;
Sitkovetsky Alexander: a world-renowned violinist who is an active concert performer;
Huisingh Tijmen: soloist, first violin of the Edinburgh Quartet;
Sciarretta Maurizio: soloist, teacher, assistant to Professor Zakhar Bron;
Stucke Sven: a renowned violinist who is an active concert performer.
Awards, titles and honours
Oleksandr Semchuk is the recipient of many awards.
2014 - Rinaldo Rossi honorary award for outstanding pedagogical achievements.
2013 - Laszlo Spezzaferri Certificate of Honour for outstanding cultural achievements and development of the Italian violin school.
2002 - awarded the honorary title of "Honoured Artist of Ukraine" for his personal contribution to the development of culture and the revival of Ukraine (President of Ukraine Leonid Kuchma).
2002 - Certificate of Honour from the Ministry of Culture and Arts of Ukraine for his significant personal contribution to the creation of spiritual values and high professional skills (Minister Yuriy Bogutsky).
2002 - Diploma of the Academic Council of the Tchaikovsky National Music Academy of Ukraine for high artistic skills and significant contribution to the development of Ukrainian chamber music performance (Rector Oleh Tymoshenko)
2001 - Diploma of the International Charitable Foundation of the V. Horowitz Competition for a significant contribution to the development of musical performance (President of the Foundation Yuriy Zilberman)
1999 - First prize and gold medal at the International Chamber Music Competition "Città di Gubbio" (Gubbio, Italy)
1993 - Second prize diploma and special prize for the best performance of a virtuoso piece at the International Violin Competition "Kloster Schöntal" (Germany)
1993 - Laureate Diploma and Mariya Pidhiryanka Prize for creative achievements in the development of musical art (Ivano-Frankivsk Regional Taras Shevchenko Ukrainian Language Society "Prosvita", headed by S. Shulepa)
1992 - Nominal scholarship of the Board of Trustees of the Ukrainian Centre for Children and Youth Creativity for creative successes with the hope of future artistic victories (Ukrainian Centre for Children and Youth Creativity, President of Ukraine Leonid Kuchma)
1992 - awarded the first prize and the title of laureate with a gold medal at the Mykola Lysenko International Competition (Kharkiv, Ukraine)
1992 - Diploma of the First Prize Laureate at the All-Union Competition "Youth Assemblies of Arts" (Moscow, Russia)
1991 - Diploma of the International Competition "Concertino Prague" (Czech Republic)
1990 - Third prize at the International Violin Competition "Kloster Schöntal" (Germany)
1989 - Scholarship of the Lenin Soviet Children's Fund[2].
Repertoire
The violinist's repertoire is quite extensive and diverse. These are the works of famous composers of the Baroque and Classicism, Romantic and Impressionist periods, as well as artists of other musical movements of the XX - XXI centuries: J. S. Bach, A. Vivaldi, L. van Beethoven, J. Haydn, W. A. Mozart, A. Corelli, S. Franck, G. Tartini, N. Paganini, P. Tchaikovsky, G. Wieniawski, R. Schumann, F. Schubert, M. Ravel, C. Debussy, E. Grieg, J. Brahms, C. Saint-Saëns, E. Izai, E. Bloch, B. Bartók, K. Szymanowski, S. Prokofiev, M. de Falla, E. Chausson, J. Sibelius, I. Stravinsky, A. Schnittke, R. Strauss, A. Berg, M. Bruch, G. Ernst, O. Glazunov, A. Khachaturian, E. Korngold, D. Shostakovich, K. Nielsen, E. Lalo, P. Sarasate, O. Novacek, N. Milstein, J. Massenet.
Discography.
The violinist has recorded 4 CDs with works by famous composers.
"HAYDN MENDELSSOHN" Two double concertos
Joseph Haydn, Double Concerto in F major for violin, harpsichord and strings, Hob.XVIII:6 Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy, Concerto No.1 for violin, piano and strings in D minor Performers: Oles Semchuk - violin, Hanna Seredenko - piano, Ensemble of Soloists of the National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine. Volodymyr Sirenko - conductor
"KAROL SZYMANOWSKI (1882-1937)
Karol Szymanowski Sonata for violin and piano, op. 9 Myths. Three Poems for Violin and Piano, op.30 Three Caprices of Paganini Tree caprices of Paganini, op.40 Performers: Oles Semchuk - violin, Hanna Seredenko - piano
"OLEXANDER SEMCHUK" Masterpieces of Violin Music
Jan Sibelius Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in D minor, op. 47 Henryk Wieniawski Variations on an Original Theme, op. 15 Mirosław Skoryk Caprice for solo violin Performers: Oles Semchuk - violin, Hanna Seredenko - piano, Kyiv Symphony Orchestra. Volodymyr Sirenko - conductor
"OLEXANDER SEMCHUK, ANNA SEREDENKO" Masterpieces of Violin and Chamber Music
J.S. Bach Sonata for Violin and Harpsichord No. 4 in C minor, BWV 1017 R. Schumann Sonata in A minor for violin and piano, op. 105 B. Britten Suite for violin and piano, op. 6 E. Chausson Poem for piano and orchestra, op. 25
Performers: Oles Semchuk - violin, Hanna Seredenko - piano, Kyiv Symphony Orchestra. Volodymyr Sirenko - conductor
