Last evening, I had the opportunity to sit not 3 meters from the amazing Russian classical pianist Olga Kern in concert.  Olga won the Gold Medal in the Eleventh Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, considered to be the best and toughest piano competition in the world.  She is the first woman to achieve this honor since 1969.

“…Kern has dazzeled and seduced audiences with performances marked by volcanically eloquent chord passages….and notes that floated with feathery grace.” — Star-Telegram

I’ve never been so moved by a musical performance. An experience I’ll not forget.  She performed the entire concert without a note of printed music. Phenomenal.

She has inspired me to dust out the piano, call the tuner and dig out my Chopin and Schubert.

Filed under: Art