Olga Kern, recognized as one of the great artists of her generation, graced the stage at Nocturne XXI, the annual gala benefiting the Musical Arts Society of New Orleans (MASNO), on Oct. 6 at the Ritz-Carlton New Orleans.
“With the support of emerging artists at the heart of our mission — which we do largely through our International Piano Competition — it’s especially thrilling to welcome the dazzling virtuoso Olga Kern as this year’s guest artist,” says MASNO Executive and Artistic Director Cara McCool Woolf.
Kern, who launched her U.S. career with a historic Gold Medal win at the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition in 2001 — the only woman in 50 years to do so — delivered a mesmerizing performance.
The program included: Franz Liszt: Hungarian Rhapsody No. 10; Charles Lisberg: Spinning Wheel; Claude Debussy: Préludes, “Feux d’artifice”; George Gershwin: Three Preludes; Earl Wild: Virtuoso Etude No. 7, based on George Gershwin’s “Fascinatin’ Rhythm” (Wild was Nocturne’s first guest artist); Sergei Rachmaninoff: Études-Tableaux, op. 33 (1914 ed.), No. 8, G Minor and Morceaux de fantaisie, Op. 3, No. 4, Polichinelle; Alexander Scriabin: 8 Études, No. 4, F-sharp Major and No. 5, C-sharp Minor; and Mily Balakirev: Islamey. Kern also performed three encores to an adoring crowd.
Before the concert guests were welcomed with a festive champagne reception, followed by the concert, then a multi-course seated dinner prepared by the Ritz-Carlton’s culinary team.
MASNO continues its dedication to the musical arts with its Keyboard Festival and Piano Institute at Loyola University, scheduled for July 19-27, featuring guest artist Zhu Wang and Nocturne XXII is Oct. 19, with a guest artist to be announced.
Event co-chairs were Leo Landry and Terry Voorhies.
Fun Fact: Olga Kern performed on a Steinway Model D 9-foot concert grand piano provided by Hall Piano Company and the Steinway Gallery of New Orleans.
