Classical concert planned for Saturday in Superior

For over 33 years, the Piatigorsky Foundation’s commitment to artistic excellence and public outreach has fascinated many avid concert goers as well as curious first timers.

It is this combination of complimentary access, flamboyant performances and human warmth that makes Piatigorsky Foundation concerts so appealing to diverse audiences. 

Last season, the Foundation resumed in-person performances and presented a tour of eight concerts in Montana reaching over 300 people in Great Falls, Fort Benton, Missoula and Thompson Falls. Likewise, this year the Foundation aims to reach hundreds of people across Montana to increase awareness and appreciation of classical music in communities throughout the state and a performance this Saturday, April 13 at 7 p.m. in the LDS Church in Superior is scheduled.

Violinist Linda Rosenthal performs throughout North America, Europe and Asia in recitals, as a soloist with orchestra and as a chamber musician. Based in Juneau Alaska, Rosenthal has also performed in virtually every corner of that great state, from fishing villages and logging camps in Southeast Alaska to remote villages above the arctic circle. Linda is the founder and artistic director of both Juneau Jazz & Classics, an annual music festival that brings world-renowned jazz and classical artists to perform and teach in Juneau each May, and the Lake Placid Chamber Music Seminar in Lake Placid, New York.

Pianist Maxim Pakhomov, originally from the Far East region of Russia, completed his studies at the Moscow State Conservatory. Pakhomov has appeared throughout Russia and has toured England, Scotland, Austria and Estonia in both solo and chamber music concerts.  His American credits include performances in Merkin Hall and Zankel Hall, where he premiered his own arrangement of Stravinsky’s Petrushka for piano duo.

“Besides our concert, The Piatigorsky Foundation coordinates two tours in our region, using different musicians.  Normally they do the same thing in the fall, but circumstances on their end required all six of their tours to be juggled around the same time as ours,” explained Jim Goss, treasurer of the Mineral County Performing Arts Council. “It must be a logistical nightmare but does explain why the date for our particular concert was determined so late.” 

Goss continued with what the evening may bring. 

“It will be worth the scramble, though, with a suggested program that includes Sarasate's Zigeunerweisen (Gypsy Airs), an 8-minute virtuosic piece right from the get-go, and Massenet's Meditation from 'Thais,' whose name may be unfamiliar to many, but is often heard as it’s a sensitive, yet dramatic piece. Hopefully Ms. Rosenthal will top off the evening with the Fantasy on 'Fiddler on the Roof,' a favorite musical of mine, but having never heard this concert version, it will be interesting to hear this recast composition.” 

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and this is another free event from the MCPAC. www.mineralcountyperformingartscouncil.org