(This biography was excerpted from Lev Ginsburg's Volume 3 of "The Art of the Violoncello" pp. 466–468, translated by Yuriy Leonovich).

Among the earliest Soviet cellists, we must mention another student of A. V. Verzhbilovich, Stefan Vladislavovich Vilkonsky, who was born in Ukraine on August 21, 1870. After completing his secondary education at the Nizhyn Gymnasium, he entered the Warsaw Conservatory in 1888, studying cello under Professor V. F. Aloiz. During this period, he already played in various Warsaw orchestras.

In 1895, Vilkonsky transferred to the St. Petersburg Conservatory, graduating in 1901 with the title of "Free Artist" in the class of A. V. Verzhbilovich. Stefan Vladislavovich was one of Verzhbilovich's favorite students and adopted much of his teacher's performance style.

After completing his studies, Vilkonsky taught cello for three years at the St. Petersburg Commercial School. In 1904, he continued his teaching career at the Astrakhan Branch of the Russian Musical Society, where he taught cello, quartet, and chamber ensemble. In 1908, Vilkonsky became the director of the Music Classes in Chernihiv, where he also led the cello and ensemble classes. He remained in Chernihiv until 1920, greatly contributing to the city's musical life with the support of the Kyiv Conservatory director, R. M. Glière.

During this period, Vilkonsky frequently performed as a cellist in sonata ensembles (playing works by Beethoven, Rubinstein, and others), trios, and quartets. He is credited with organizing chamber and symphonic gatherings in Chernihiv, inviting prominent musicians such as A. B. Goldenweiser, S. M. Kozolupov, G. N. Beklemishev, M. V. Lysenko, A. T. Grechaninov, L. V. Sobinov, and M. G. Erdenko, among others. Vilkonsky also conducted concerts, including the first Chernihiv performances of oratorios by Haydn and Rubinstein.

In 1920, Vilkonsky was appointed professor of cello at the Kyiv Conservatory. Two years later, he also became a professor of cello and ensemble at the Mykola Lysenko Music and Drama Institute. Over the next 13 years, he performed in a trio with Professors G. N. Beklemishev and D. S. Bertié, which played a significant role in Kyiv's musical life during the 1920s and 1930s.

Among Vilkonsky's students in Kyiv were cellists such as R. Sapozhnikov (later a student of S. M. Kozolupov), Z. Dynov, A. Beklemishev, and A. Mikhelson, who won a prize in Toulouse in 1927. He also taught a course on cello pedagogy at the Kyiv Conservatory.

It is worth mentioning Vilkonsky’s long-standing teaching activity in various Kyiv music schools, including the Workers' Conservatory. A notable aspect of his career was his contribution to musical and public life. In 1938, he was awarded the title of Honored Artist of the Ukrainian SSR.

Stefan Vladislavovich Vilkonsky passed away in Kyiv on February 19, 1963.