His most formative musical moments in Moscow include his early encounter with Sviatoslav Richter, who thereafter regularly invited him to festivals in Russia and France.
Known for his often-unusual musical and programmatic decisions, Melnikov discovered a career-long interest in historical performance practice at an early age.
Melnikov's association with the label Harmonia Mundi arose through his regular recital partner, violinist Isabelle Faust, and in 2010 their complete recording of the Beethoven sonatas for violin and piano won both a Gramophone Award and Germany's ECHO Klassik Prize.
In 2014, he joined with Jean-Guihen Queyras in releasing an album of Beethoven's complete works for cello and piano on the Harmonia Mundi label.
In 2011, it was also named by the BBC Music Magazine as one of the “50 Greatest Recordings of All Time.” Additionally, Melnikov's discography features works by Brahms, Rachmaninoff and Scriabin.