UW World Series: Olga Kern
$40-$45
Charles-Valentin Alkan — 12 Etudes in all the Major Keys
Charles-Valentin Alkan — G major
Frédéric Chopin — Piano Sonata No. 2 in B-flat minor, Op. 35
Sergei Rachmaninoff — Preludes, Op. 23
Sergei Rachmaninoff — Thirteen Preludes, Op. 32
Beethoven – Variations on a theme by Salieri, WoO 73
Alkan – 12 Etudes in all the Major Keys, Op. 35: No. 3, G major
Chopin – Piano Sonata No. 2 in B-flat Minor, Op. 35
Rachmaninoff – 12 preludes from Op. 23 and Op. 32
Recognized as one of her generation’s great pianists, Olga Kern was born into a family of musicians with direct links to Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninoff. In 2001, she became the first woman in over 30 years to receive the Gold Medal at the Eleventh Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, and subsequently her career has brought her to many of the world’s most important venues. With her vivid stage presence, passionately confident musicianship, and extraordinary technique, the young Russian pianist continues to captivate fans and critics alike.
About Olga Kern
Pianist Olga Kern is 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 jumpstarted her US 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 30 years.
Ms. Kern’s discography includes Harmonia Mundi recordings of the Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No. 1 with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra and Christopher Seaman (2003), her Grammy-nominated recording of Rachmaninoff’s Corelli Variations and other transcriptions (2004), a recital disk with works by Rachmaninoff and Balakirev (2005), Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 1 with the Warsaw Philharmonic and Antoni Wit (2006), Brahms Variations (2007), and a 2010 release of Chopin Piano Sonatas No. 2 and 3 (2010).
Most recently, SONY released their recording of Ms. Kern performing the Rachmaninoff Sonata for Cello and Piano with cellist Sol Gabetta. She was also featured in the award-winning documentary about the 2001 Cliburn Competition, "Playing on the Edge." In 2012, Olga and her brother, conductor and composer Vladimir Kern, co-founded the Aspiration Foundation, whose objective is to provide financial and artistic assistance to musicians throughout the world.
In 2017, Ms. Kern was gratified to receive the Ellis Island Medal of Honor, joining other honorees including Rosa Parks, Buzz Aldrin, Coretta Scott King, and Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor. This commendation recognizes Americans who “embody the spirit of America in their salute to tolerance, brotherhood, diversity, and patriotism.”
https://olgakern.com/