On Saturday, the Nelson Overture Concerts Society will present Russian-Canadian pianist Sergei Saratovsky in concert at the Capitol Theatre at 8 p.m. The program includes Liszt’s Liebestraum no.3, Polonaise, op. 53 by Chopin, and Sonata no. 2by Rachmaninoff, plus works by Debussy, Tchaikovsky, and Lyadov.
Students attending schools participating in the society’s school outreach program are granted free admission. These are Blewett Elementary, Trafalgar, St. Joseph’s School, Waldorf School, L.V. Rogers, Ecole des Sentiers-alpins, South Nelson and Wildflower.
Saratovsky was born into a family of musicians in Karelia, Russia. He received his university education at the Petrozavodsk State Conservatory of Music, graduating with a bachelor of music degree in piano performance in 2004. In 2002 he became a resident of Canada.
He completed a master of music degree in piano performance with Alexander Tselyakov at Brandon University, where in 2006 he received the gold medal for academic excellence and graduated with greatest distinction. In 2012, Saratovsky was granted the degree of doctor of musical arts at the University of BC where he studied with Jane Coop.
He has garnered acclaim both at home and abroad, receiving an award from Russian president Vladimir Putin, recognizing his achievements in music, as well as performing in the presence of former Canadian Governor General Michaëlle Jean.
He has won competitions in Portugal, the United States and Canada and has performed for audiences in Russia, Portugal, Italy, France, Canada, the United States, and Australia, He has also been the featured artist on radio and television broadcasts aired across the world. During the 2009-10 concert season, he completed a concert tour of Canada presented by Jeunesses Musicales du Canada.
In addition to his performing career, Saratovsky enjoys giving master classes and is in demand as a guest clinician and jury member of international and national competitions and festivals.
