A weekend of piano artistry at the NPAC

The last concert pianist we presented at the Niswonger was two years ago.  Thomas Pandolfi, a Washington, D.C., pianist, just wowed our audience and, in my opinion, far exceeded most expectations for a piano concert. After his brilliant performance, Pandolfi took a brief breather and returned to the stage to conduct a master class with some local talented piano students.  Many of the audience stuck around to observe and were entertained and enlightened.

Nearly two years later, we have decided to bring back one of my all-time favorite concert pianists, Leon Bates. I remember him shaking the stage with his powerful selections on the 7’ Steinway Grand at the Marsh Auditorium years ago. Then, in 2009, Bates returned to perform on the Niswonger stage with the Cleveland Pops Orchestra with his magnificent rendition of Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue”.

Now, in 2015, we bring Leon back to Van Wert to not only perform a solo concert, but also to speak and conduct a master class.  Here’s what’s happening with Leon Bates at the Niswonger this weekend. This Saturday at 2 p.m., he will give a free talk on the many contributions of African American composers of American music.  Bates travels all over the world speaking on subjects such as this as well as how body building, one of his other passions, can benefit artistry. All you need to do is show up this Saturday by 2 p.m. and you can enjoy this event, sponsored by our Speaker/Lecture Committee of the Niswonger.

Following the speaking engagement, Bates will work with four local pianists in a master class on the Central Insurance Stage of the Niswonger.  These fortunate students will be learning from a master teacher and performer who has a wealth of knowledge in piano music and music in general.  The public is welcome to stay after the speaking event and observe Mr. Bates as he works with these students.  It is really amazing to see how a student can bring a piece of prepared music into a master class and have it be transformed by someone like Leon Bates.

These two events, beginning at 2 p.m. on Saturday are free of charge.  Our speaker series sponsors and Community Concert supporters help make opportunities like this available for you to enjoy. They are Midwest Electric, Paulding Putnam Electric Cooperative, Vancrest Health Care Centers, Slusher’s Jewelry, Van Wert County Hospitals, Delphos Hearing Aid Center, Central Insurance Companies, and Taylor Auto Sales of Van Wert. And, of course, StateWide Ford Lincoln and Van Wert Federal Savings Bank bring our entire season to you.

Then on Sunday afternoon at 3 p.m., Leon Bates will top off his Van Wert stay with a magnificent piano concert on our Baldwin SD10 concert grand piano, which was donated by the Community Concert Association at the opening of the Niswonger Performing Arts Center in 2007. This wonderful instrument has been used on our stage many, many times; from pop pianists to jazz to country and rock. But it is now that the instrument gets to really shine and “show off” for you under the powerful and virtuosic hands and fingers of a concert pianist like Leon Bates.  His repertoire on Sunday afternoon’s performance will highlight the grandness of a concert grand piano and test it to its fullest extent.

As a pianist, Leon Bates has performed all over the world and with nearly all of the finest symphony orchestras in America, including Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Cleveland, New York and even in Carnegie Hall, just to name a very few.

Because of our very fine sponsors, the Sunday afternoon concert has tickets available from just $10 to $20.  You can get them at the door on Sunday or in advance at the box office or on-line at NPACVW.ORG.

Don’t forget, now that the Fountain Park Summer Music Series has been announced, The Van Wert County Foundation is accepting names of non-profit organizations wishing to be considered to sell food at the concerts.  Contact us at 419.238.1743 or stop by our office on Main Street. Names will be selected on April 1 — no joke!

FINÉ.