ensembles
RIZOL QUARTET
Oleh Shyian, first button accordion
Viacheslav Moseichuk, second button accordion
Ivan Kharchenko, baritone button accordion
Roman Molochenko, bass button accordion
The Rizol Quartet is an instrumental ensemble of the National Philharmonic of Ukraine, named after its founder, Mykola Rizol, a leading figure in bayan and accordion performance. Established in 1939, the original members were sisters Raisa and Maria Biletska, Mykola Rizol, and Ivan Zhuromsky. Over its long history, the quartet has performed thousands of concerts throughout the former Soviet Union, representing Ukrainian musical culture with distinction.
After Ivan Zhuromsky left, he was replaced by Anatolii Tykhonchuk, a student of Rizol. In 1992, another of Rizol’s students, the virtuoso Sergii Hrinchenko, became the ensemble’s leader. In 1999, new musicians joined the quartet, including Oleh Shyian and Roman Molochenko, and later Ihor Saienko and Oleksii Kolomoiets. Since 2024, the ensemble has continued with Oleh Shyian, Roman Molochenko, Viacheslav Moseichuk, and Ivan Kharchenko.
The ensemble preserves and develops the finest traditions of the Ukrainian performing school while integrating contemporary achievements and a diverse repertoire. Alongside classical masterpieces, their programs include modern European works, folk music, and popular compositions. Ukrainian composers featured in their repertoire include D. Bortniansky, I. Shamo, D. Klebanov, M. Skoryk, V. Zubytsky, V. Poleva, and M. Rizol.
The quartet is notable for its unique instruments, including specially made baritone and bass accordions, as well as rare timbre instruments such as oboe and clarinet accordions.
The Rizol Quartet is a prizewinner of the International Competition “Città di Castelfidardo” (Italy, 1999) and the International Competition “Astor Piazzolla” (1999). Their concert programs include The Four Seasons by Vivaldi and Piazzolla, Bach–Piazzolla, Mozart & Strauss, Made in Ukraine, Virtuoso, and others.
The ensemble has toured Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic, Poland, Italy, Serbia, Switzerland, and South Korea, and actively carries out educational work to promote classical and contemporary music among students in Kyiv. Their recordings include The Four Seasons. Vivaldi. Piazzolla (2024), available on Spotify.