Pianist Olga Kern is now recognized as one of her generation’s great artists. With her vivid stage presence, passionately confident musicianship and extraordinary technique, the striking pianist continues to captivate fans and critics alike. Olga Kern was born into a family of musicians with direct links to Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninoff and began studying piano at the age of five. She jump-started her U.S. career with her historic Gold Medal at the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition in Fort Worth, Texas as the first woman to do so in more than thirty years.

Steinway Artist and First prize winner of the Rachmaninoff International Piano Competition at seventeen, Ms. Kern is a laureate of many international competitions. In 2016 she served as Jury Chairman of both the Seventh Cliburn International Amateur Piano Competition and the first Olga Kern International Piano Competition, where she also holds the title of Artistic Director. Ms. Kern frequently gives masterclasses and since September 2017 has served on the piano faculty of the prestigious Manhattan School of Music. Additionally, Ms. Kern has been chosen as the Virginia Arts Festival’s new Connie & Marc Jacobson Director of Chamber Music, beginning with the 2019 season.

In recent seasons, Kern performed with the Moscow Philharmonic, Santa Fe Symphony, and the St. Louis Symphony, as well as opened the Pacific Symphony’s 2018-19 season. Kern was also a featured soloist for the Royal Scottish National Orchestra during the 2018-19 Tour. She also served as Artist in Residence for the San Antonio Symphony’s 2017-18 season and had her Chinese debut with the National Youth Orchestra of China tour. Ms. Kern opened the Baltimore Symphony’s 2015-2016 centennial season with Marin Alsop. Other season highlights included returns to the Royal Philharmonic with Pinchas Zukerman, Orchestre Philharmonique de Nice with Giancarlo Guerrero.

Sergei Rachmaninoff (1873-1943)
Études-Tableaux, op. 39, No. 9
Études-Tableaux, op. 33 (1914 ed.), No. 8, G Minor
Études-Tableaux, op. 33 (1948 ed.), No. 5

Robert Schumann (1810-1856)
Carnaval, Op. 9

George Gershwin (1898-1937)
Three Preludes

Earl Wild (1915-2010)
Virtuoso Etude No. 7, based on Gershwin’s “Fascinatin’ Rhythm”

~ Intermission ~

Sergei Rachmaninoff (1873-1943)
Six moments musicaux, Op. 16, No. 4, Presto
Morceaux de salon, Op. 10, No. 3, Barcarolle
Hopak (Mussorgsky/Rachmaninoff)
Thirteen Préludes, Op. 32, No. 5, Prelude in G major
Morceaux de fantaisie, Op. 3, No. 4, Polichinelle

Alexander Scriabin (1871-1915)
8 Études, No. 4, F sharp major, No. 5, C sharp minor

Mily Balakirev (1836-1910)
Islamey