Period

:

Classical

 

 

Romantic

Genre

:

Concerto

 

 

Keyboard

 

Lubka Kolessa was a Ukrainian-Canadian classical pianist and music educator who made significant contributions to the world of classical music. She was born on October 26, 1902, in Kyiv, Ukraine, to a family of musicians. Her father, Mykola Kolessa, was a composer, conductor, and musicologist, while her mother, Oksana Kolessa, was a pianist and music teacher. Lubka Kolessa grew up in a musical environment and started playing the piano at a young age. Kolessa received her early music education from her mother and later studied at the Kyiv Conservatory, where she was a student of Vladimir Puchalsky. She graduated with honors in 1924 and continued her studies in Paris with Isidor Philipp and Lazare Lévy. In 1928, she won the first prize at the International Piano Competition in Geneva, Switzerland, which launched her career as a concert pianist. Kolessa's career as a concert pianist took her to many parts of the world, including Europe, North America, and Asia. She performed with many renowned orchestras, including the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, the New York Philharmonic, and the London Philharmonic Orchestra. She also gave recitals in major concert halls, such as Carnegie Hall in New York, Wigmore Hall in London, and the Salle Pleyel in Paris. Kolessa was known for her interpretations of the works of Chopin, Liszt, and Rachmaninoff, among others. She was praised for her technical virtuosity, musical sensitivity, and deep understanding of the composers' intentions. Her performances were often described as powerful, passionate, and emotionally charged. In addition to her career as a concert pianist, Kolessa was also a dedicated music educator. She taught at the Conservatoire de musique du Québec à Montréal from 1943 to 1972 and at the University of Montreal from 1963 to 1972. She was known for her rigorous teaching methods and her ability to inspire her students to achieve their full potential. Many of her students went on to have successful careers as musicians. Kolessa received many awards and honors throughout her career. In 1953, she was awarded the Prix Calixa-Lavallée by the Société Saint-Jean-Baptiste de Montréal for her contributions to the development of music in Quebec. In 1967, she was made an Officer of the Order of Canada, one of the country's highest honors. In 1972, she was awarded the Medal of the National Assembly of Quebec for her outstanding contributions to the cultural life of the province. Kolessa continued to perform and teach until her death on December 29, 1997, in Montreal, Canada, at the age of 95. She left behind a legacy of excellence in music performance and education, and her contributions to the world of classical music continue to be celebrated today.

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