(b. 1964, Saratov – d. 4 December 2016, Lyman Raion, Odessa Oblast).
Ukrainian composer, born in Russia, of mostly orchestral and chamber works that have been performed throughout the world.
Ms. Gomelskaya studied composition with Oleksandr Krasotov at the A. V. Nezhdanov State Music Academy in Odessa from 1984–90, where she earned her diploma with distinction. She later attended workshops at the Stichting Gaudeamus in Amsterdam in 1993 and studied composition with Robert Saxton at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London from 1995–97, where he she earned her MMus, on a fellowship.
Among her honours were First Prize in the competition Prokofiev in Donetsk (1993, for In Opposition), Third Prize in a competition for women composers in Kiev (1995, for Floridas), Premier Prix in the competition Comines in Belgium (2003, for The Riot), Premier Prix in the competition of the Florilège vocal de Tours (2006), the Municipal Prize from the city of Odessa (2006), and the Boris Lyatoshinsky Prize from the Ministry of Culture of Ukraine (2011). Her music has been performed in Armenia, Belgium, China, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Moldova, Poland, Russia, Spain, Switzerland, Ukraine, the UK, and the USA, including five times at the ISCM World Music Days (2000, Luxembourg; 2002, Hong Kong; 2004, Switzerland; 2009, Sweden; 2011, Zagreb).
She lectured on composition and orchestration at the A. V. Nezhdanov State Music Academy from 1991–2016.
COMPLETE LIST OF WORKS
STAGE:
Jane Eyre (ballet in 2 acts, scenario by Lucille Briance), small orchestra (18 players), 1997
The Divine Sarah (dramatic opera scene, libretto by Michael Irwin), mezzo-soprano, piano, 1999
ORCHESTRAL:
Poem-Overture, 1990
Exlibris, violin, orchestra, 1993
Floridas, small orchestra (19 players), 1995
Kurt Reminiscences, small orchestra (8 winds, 4 brass, piano, percussion), 1996
Memento Vitæ, small orchestra, 1996
Ithron-Phonium, large orchestra, 1998
The Riot, small orchestra (8/16 winds, 6/12 brass, 2 percussion), 2001
SymPhobia (symphony no. 1), 2004
AtomAnatomy, 2007
Concerto, piano, string orchestra, 2007
Concerto grosso, violin, string orchestra, 2009
Symphony No. 2, 'Ukraine Forever', 2010
Ukrainochka, folk orchestra from Ukraine, 2012 (version of work for piano)
in the stream of pulsed lyra (chamber symphony no. 2), 16 strings, 2012
CHAMBER MUSIC:
Sonata, violin, piano, 1987
In Opposition, string quartet, 1989
In modo Sketch, cello, piano, 1992
Saxonome. Apologia, alto saxophone, ensemble (flute, clarinet, violin, cello, piano), 1994
N Quartet, string quartet, 1995
Phonium-Folk, flute, violin, cello, piano, 1995
Flute Vers-Inversions, flute, fixed media, 1996
Sentimental Serenade, bassoon, piano, 1996
Bagatelle, French horn, piano, 1996
Forgotten Ritual, flute, alto saxophone, piano, percussion, 1996
From the Bottom of the Soul, string quartet, 1997
Zig-Net-Zag, clarinet (+ bass clarinet), cello, 2 pianos, 1998
Synopsis of Symmetries, flute, violin, viola, cello, 1999
The Trap for Two, soprano saxophone, alto saxophone, 2000 (also version for E-flat clarinet, clarinet, 2000)
herbarium...music of recalls..., violin, viola, cello, 2000
Behind the Shadow of Sound, violin, bayan, 2000
Dabuba-pa, violin, 2000
The Triumph of Adrenaline, trombone, percussion, 2001
DiaDem No. 1, flute, harp, 2001 (also version for flute, piano, 2003)
Barva – Colour, 60-string bandura (plucked instrument from Ukraine), 2001
EcHorn, French horn, piano, 2002
DiaDem No. 2, violin, cello, 2003
the only hint..., flute, 2003 (also version for clarinet, 2007)
Carl and Clara, clarinet, piano, 2003
Rhythmus, double bass, piano, 2005
dive deep in a rhythm-risk-riot..., violin, cello, piano, 2005
Gutsulka-Dance, piano, percussion, 2006 (also version for 2 pianos, 2 percussion, 2006)
Through Crystals of Gothic Mosaic, flute (+ alto flute), cello, piano, 2006
Strimpellata Sounds (chamber symphony no. 1), flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, French horn, 2 violins, viola, cello, double bass, 2007
Charms of a Lonely Firebird or Well-Digitised Bandura, bandura, fixed media, 2008
Jab-Jazz, trombone, piano, percussion, 2008
Trace of Trumpet, trumpet, piano, 2008
DiaDem No. 3, bandura, bayan, 2010
Wings of the East Wind, flute, clarinet, violin, cello, piano, 2010
Winter Pastoral, 5 trumpets, 2011 (version of choral work)
Major-Major, flute, oboe, clarinet, French horn, bassoon, 2012 (also version for French horn, 2 trumpets, trombone, tuba, 2012)
CHORAL:
Spring Verses (cantata, texts from folk sources from Ukraine), children's chorus, piano, 1993
Winter Pastoral (text by Boris Pasternak [translated by Lydia Pasternak Slater]), mixed chorus, 1996 (also version for 5 trumpets)
Vitæ Musica (concert of musical symbols, text by Roman Brodavko), mixed chorus, piano (2 players), 2002
Whispering, speaking, singing..., mixed chorus, 2006
VOCAL:
Unwhispered Words (cantata, text by Olena Matushek), soprano, flute, piano, 1994
Tear-Stained Autumn (text by Anna Akhmatova), soprano, piano, 1996
Waiting (text by Jennie Fontana), mezzo-soprano, piano, 1997
Out of Gravitation (text by Gwyneth Lewis), soprano, flute (+ alto flute), piano, 2001
My Sister Night (text by Dolly Radford), mezzo-soprano, flute (+ alto flute), piano, 2004
ukRAINian ballad, soprano, tuba, 2009
Flashbacks of a Tired Popstar (novels, text by Karl-Maria Kinsky [also English translation]), bass-baritone, violin, piano, 2010
Writing to Onegin. One more try (text by Ruth Padel), female voice, cello, 2011 (also version for female voice, harp, viola, cello, marimba, 2011)
PIANO:
Seven Touches, 1999
Ukrainochka, 2005 (also version for folk orchestra from Ukraine)
Calling the Sun, 2 pianos, 2006