Oleh Krysa

Oleh Krysa was born in Uchanie, Ukraine (now gmina Uchanie, Poland) in 1942. He is acclaimed throughout the countries of the former Soviet Union and indeed worldwide as a distinguished soloist, chamber musician and teacher. He was a student of David Oistrakh and was winning major international prizes from 1962 onwards.

Oleh became chairman of the violin department at Kiev Conservatory to begin his teaching career, moving to the Gnessin State Musical College and later the Moscow Conservatory where he was Professor of Violin until 1988. He is currently Professor of Violin at the Eastman School of Music, Rochester, New York and holds several other prestigious posts. In March 2016 he was elected a Foreign Member (now being an American citizen) of the National Academy of Arts of Ukraine.

As a performer, Oleh Krysa has played solo recitals in most of the world’s major music centres and with the leading orchestras and chamber ensembles in many countries. He has also led successful ensembles such as the Kiev Conservatory Quartet, the Leontovych Quartet and the Beethoven String Quartet.

As a champion of contemporary music, Oleh has worked closely with many composers, with many works written for and dedicated to him. His recordings have been issued by several leading labels including Melodiya, BIS, Polskie Nagrania and Olympia among others.