ERIE PHILHARMONIC WELCOMES WORLD-RENOWNED PIANIST OLGA KERN TO THE STAGE
March 14, 2022– On Saturday, March 19, the Erie Philharmonic welcomes pianist Olga Kern, “one of our generation’s great artists,” to the Warner Theatre stage.
With direct family connections to Rachmaninoff, as well as being the first woman to win the Gold Medal at the vaunted Van Cliburn International Piano Competition in more than 30 years, Ms. Kern brings an unprecedented level of talent, passion, and knowledge to the stage for her performance of Rachmaninoff’s legendary Piano Concerto No. 3.
Considered one of the most challenging pieces ever written for piano and orchestra, Rachmaninoff’s 3rd Piano Concerto was the inspiration for the Academy-Award-Winning film, Shine (1996), starring Geoffrey Rush as pianist David Helfgott.
Ms. Kern will be performing this iconic concerto on the Philharmonic’s brand-new Steinway piano, hand-selected from the factory showroom this past summer. “The storyline for this concert is made even more special given that Olga will be performing such a legendary piece of music on this stunning new instrument,” remarked Executive Director Steve Weiser. “I simply can’t think of a more perfect work to showcase the power, sensitivity, and grandeur of our new piano. We are indebted to the Scibetta family for their generous gift that allowed us to purchase this spectacular instrument.”
Pianist Adam Golka, Music Director Daniel Meyer and Philharmonic keyboardist Nathan Hess at the Steinway factory in NYC this past August.
In addition to the Rachmaninoff, the orchestra will also perform Along the Western Shore, by renowned American composer Elinor Remick Warren, as well as Richard Wagner’s tragically beautiful Prelude and Liebestod from Tristan and Isolde.
Doors open 90 minutes prior to the performance (6:30pm). Tickets are available and range in price $23 - $56. Student tickets are $12. All concert attendees are required to show proof of their COVID-19 vaccination or proof of a negative COVID test, and must wear a mask throughout the entire event.
For more information regarding tickets or our COVID-19 Safety Plan, please visit our website at eriephil.org/safetyplan.
Prior to Ms. Kern’s performance with the orchestra on March 19, she will present two free events in the community, the first of their kind in two years: a piano master class, hosted at the Blasco Library, as well as a Live from Studio Q with an in-house audience at the WQLN radio studios.
Please see below for residency details. Information can also be found at here.
Thursday, March 17, 2022
Hirt Auditorium, Blasco Library, 160 East Front Street, Erie PA
6:00 pm
Watch pianist Olga Kern, one of our “generation’s great artists,” work with local and regional piano students in a workshop setting. The audience will be treated to amazing performances from our guest artists, after which Ms. Kern will offer professional advice and critique in a unique, collaborative environment.
Our COVID-19 Safety plan is still in effect and can be found at eriephil.org/safetyplan.
Friday, March 18, 2022
WQLN Studios, 8425 Peach Street, Erie PA
Live on 93.1 FM, WQLN.org and Facebook
12:00 pm
Join host Brian Hannah and world-renowned pianist Olga Kern for an exciting hour of music and stories live in the WQLN studios.
Saturday, March 19, 2022
Warner Theatre, 811 State Street, Erie PA
8:00 pm; doors open at 6:30pm
World-renowned pianist Olga Kern takes the stage with the Erie Philharmonic in the newly-renovated Warner Theatre. The orchestra will perform Rachmaninoff’s legendary Piano Concerto No. 3 along with works from Wagner and Elinor Remick Warren.