Red Wing graduate performs in Russian orchestra program

The Cannon Valley Regional Orchestra, conducted by Paul Niemisto, begins its 33rd season with a Russian program featuring Red Wing native Aaron Bartz as soloist in the Rachmaninoff Piano Concert No. 2.

Performances are scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday Oct. 26 at the Sheldon Theater and 7 p.m. Saturday Oct. 27 at the First United Church of Christ, 300 Union St. in Northfield.

“I met Aaron Bartz several years ago when he was a high school student in Red Wing,” Niemisto said. “At first he made music for us as a percussionist. Then after a rehearsal one afternoon he sat at the piano and had all of us stop in our tracks. We immediately planned for a time when he could be a soloist with us.”

Bartz is currently a senior at St. Olaf College where he majors in chemistry. He continues his piano career as a student of Professor Kent McWilliams.

The all-Russian program opens with the Russian Sailor's Dance by Reinhold Gliere, followed by Borodin's Polovtsian Dances. These dances formed the basis of the popular musical “Kismet” some years ago — and most people will be humming “Stranger in Paradise” when they hear the music. The music of Sviridov follows, which was done for a motion picture based on Pushkin's short story “Snowstorm.” The Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 2 forms the second half of the concert.

These concerts are underwritten by Northfield Hospital & Clinics and the season sponsor Community Resource Bank of Northfield.

Under the direction of Dr. Paul Niemisto since 1979, the Cannon Valley Regional Orchestra draws players from a wide area including Northfield, New Prague, Faribault, Owatonna and Red Wing. The players are serious amateurs who play for the love of orchestra music.

Tickets are available for Oct. 26 by calling 651-388-3700 or visiting www.sheldontheater.org. and for Oct. 27 by calling 507-645-8877 or visiting www.northfieldartsguild.org. Tickets will also be available at the door at both locations.

Visit www.cvrorchestra.org for more information. Funding comes from the above-named sponsors as well as the auspices of the Northfield Arts Guild, the McKnight Foundation, Southeast Minnesota Arts Council and the Minnesota State Legislature through the Clean Water, Air, and Legacy Amendment.

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