InConcert Sierra’s new season

INCONCERT SIERRA’S MUSICAL SEASON reaches a crescendo this winter with one of the best lineups in years. The concerts are among the best the foothills has to offer, featuring renowned artists from as far away as Russia.

Now celebrating its 65th year, the Grass Valley performing arts group has freshened up its name (from Twin Cities Concerts Assn.) and is cementing its reputation for bringing world-class music to the region in a friendly setting, at an affordable price.

“The upcoming performances represent the essence of what we bring to the foot-hills,” says Artistic Director Ken Hardin. “We’re presenting the best of local professional performers, the hottest up-and-coming talent, as well as established talent, such as one of the most prestigious Russian pianists.” Here’s the lineup:

Petite Panache, Feb. 20
This has become one of the most popular concerts, featuring accomplished musicians and a varied program. Hardin is joined by pianist Aleen James, violinist Richard Altenback and cellist Wolf Sebastian. James joins Hardin for a four-hand piano work, Variations on a Theme by Haydn. This duo has too much fun together for this to be serious classical music, jokes Executive Director Julie Hardin. Altenback and Sebastian will perform enchanting solo works.

Di Wu, March 20
She is an up-and-coming artist who is one of the nation’s best young talents. Chinese-born Wu was praised in The Wall Street Journal as “a most mature and sensitive pianist.”

This past season she debuted with the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Hamburg Philharmonic and in Tokyo, where she appeared as a soloist with an orchestra in front of 11,000 people. Wu will play her first San Francisco recital before coming to the foothills.

Nikolai Lugansky, March 30
Already a major artist, he has been viewed as the “next” of a line of famous Russian pianists. Lugansky made his American debut at the Hollywood Bowl in 1996. He is touring with the St. Petersburg Philharmonic, which is performing at Davies Hall in San Francisco before he comes to Grass Valley. This will be Lugansky’s only Northern California recital.

For tickets and more information, go to InConcertSierra.org.