Russian-born pianist Olga Kern was catapulted into stardom with her Gold Medal at the 2001 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition. Since then, she has established a spectacular career, performing to wild enthusiasm all over the world, in recital with the world’s greatest orchestras. Her dazzling technique, compelling musicianship, and onstage charisma have made her an audience favorite wherever she goes.
Piano Masters Series is artistically directed by Michael Lewin and part of Boston Conservatory at Berklee’s Artistry in Action Series.
Program Information
Repertoire
BEETHOVEN: Variations on a Theme by Salieri
SCHUMANN: Carnaval
GERSHWIN: Three Preludes
WILD: Virtuoso Etude No. 7, based on Gershwin’s “Fascinatin’ Rhythm”
—INTERMISSION—
RACHMANINOFF: Moments musicaux, op. 16
No. 4, Presto
RACHMANINOFF: Études-Tableaux, op. 33
No. 8 in G Minor
RACHMANINOFF: Morceaux de fantaisie, op. 3
No. 4, Polichinelle
TCHAIKOVSKY: Méditation
SCRIABIN: Twelve Études, op. 8
No. 4 in F-sharp Major
No. 5 in C-sharp Minor
BALAKIREV: Islamey
Welcome
The Boston Conservatory Piano Masters Series is a popular and unique piano series, presenting a diverse and international array of world-class pianists in rare Boston recital appearances and master classes. It allows Boston music lovers to hear these great artists perform solo recitals in an intimate venue, for a nominal cost, and to enjoy their fascinating master classes with talented Conservatory students the following day, free of charge. We welcome you to join us for these wonderful concerts!
—Michael Lewin, artistic director
About the Artist
With a vivid onstage presence, dazzling technique, and keen musicianship, pianist Olga Kern is widely recognized as one of the great artists of her generation, captivating audiences and critics alike. She was born into a family of musicians and began studying piano at the age of five. At 17, she was awarded first prize at the Rachmaninoff International Piano Competition, and in 2001, she launched her U.S. career, winning a historic Gold Medal at the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition—the only woman in the last 50 years to do so.A Steinway Artist, Kern is a laureate of several international competitions. In 2016, she was jury chairman of both Cliburn International Amateur Piano Competition and the first Olga Kern International Piano Competition, where she also holds the title of artistic director. In December 2021, Kern was jury chairman of the 1st Chopin Animato International Piano competition in Paris, France. In coming seasons, she will continue to serve on the juries of several high-level competitions. Kern frequently gives master classes and since 2017 has served on the piano faculty of the Manhattan School of Music. Also in 2017, she received the Ellis Island Medal of Honor. In 2019, she was appointed the Connie and Marc Jacobson Director of Chamber Music at the Virginia Arts Festival.Kern has performed with many prominent orchestras, including the St. Louis Symphony, Pacific Symphony, Baltimore Symphony, Detroit Symphony, and the National Symphony Orchestra (Washington, D.C.), as well as Czech Philharmonic, Orchestra Filarmonica della Scala, Pittsburgh Symphony, São Paulo Symphony Orchestra, Iceland Symphony, Nordwestdeutsche Philharmonie, Tokyo’s NHK Symphony Orchestra, and Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra. She was also a featured soloist on U.S. tours with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra in 2018 and 2022; and during the 2017–2018 season, she served as artist in residence at the San Antonio Symphony. Highlights of the 2021–2022 season included performances with the Austin Symphony, Palm Beach Symphony, Milwaukee Symphony, Santa Rosa Symphony, Greensboro Symphony, Madison Symphony, New Mexico Philharmonic, Concerto Budapest Symphony Orchestra, and Academia Teatro alla Scala. She appeared as a soloist on a U.S. tour with the National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine and performed recitals in Savannah, Sunriver, Huntsville, Fort Worth, Carmel, and Minneapolis as well as in Portugal, Poland, and Sweden. In the 2022–2023 season, she appeared with the Dallas Symphony, Minnesota Orchestra, Baltimore Symphony, Orquesta Filarmónica de Gran Canaria, Ireland’s National Symphony Orchestra, and Colorado Symphony. She performed recitals at the Minnesota Beethoven Festival and the International Piano Festival of Oeiras as well as in Brno and Mariánské Lázně, Czech Republic; Virginia Beach; Chicago; and San Francisco. In the 2023–2024 season, she performs Rachmaninoff’s four piano concertos and Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini with the Austin Symphony and with the Virginia Symphony Orchestra, appears with the Czech Philharmonic on a nation-wide telecast, and tours South Africa and Asia.In 2012, Kern established the Kern Foundation “Aspiration,” which supports talented musicians around the world. Kern’s discography includes a Harmonia Mundi recording of the Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No. 1 with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra and Christopher Seaman; her Grammy-nominated disc of Rachmaninoff’s Corelli Variations and other transcriptions; and Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 1 with the Warsaw Philharmonic and Antoni Wit. Other notable releases include Chopin’s Piano Sonatas Nos. 2 and 3, and SONY’s release of the Rachmaninoff Sonata for Cello and Piano with Sol Gabetta. Kern released a new CD in 2022 on the Delos label of Brahms and Shostakovich quintets with the Dalí Quartet.She is featured in award-winning documentaries about the 2001 Cliburn Competition: The Cliburn: Playing on the Edge, They Came to Play, and Olga’s Journey. Kern’s iconic dresses are designed by Alex Teih (New York), and her jewelry is designed by Alex Soldier (New York). About the Series
Piano Masters Series is artistically directed by Michael Lewin and part of Boston Conservatory at Berklee’s
Artistry in Action series. The Artistry in Action series celebrates exceptional artists and initiatives that exemplify Boston Conservatory’s core values of excellence, innovation, and community engagement. Hosted by the Conservatory’s Music Division, Artistry in Action brings together the school’s prestigious and long-standing Piano Masters Series, String Masters Series, and Chamber Series with exciting new programming for winds, faculty recitals, and ensemble-in-residences. Learn more and view upcoming Artistry in Action events. Concert Services Staff
Senior Manager of Concert Services – Luis Herrera
Coordinator, Concert Services – Matthew CareyConcert Production Manager – Kendall FloydPerformance Technology Technicians – Sara Pagiaro, Goran Daskalov
Boston Conservatory thanks audience members for viewing this program information online. This paperless program saved 130 sheets of paper, 14 gallons of water, and 12 pounds of CO2-equivalent greenhouse gas emissions.
