The last concert pianist we presented at the Niswonger was two years ago.\u00a0 Thomas Pandolfi, a Washington, D.C., pianist, just wowed our audience and, in my opinion, far exceeded most expectations for a piano concert.\u00a0After his brilliant performance, Pandolfi took a brief breather and returned to the stage to conduct a master class with some local talented piano students.\u00a0 Many of the audience stuck around to observe and were entertained and enlightened.<\/p>\n
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\u2019 Steinway Grand at the Marsh Auditorium years ago.\u00a0Then, in 2009, Bates returned to perform on the Niswonger stage with the Cleveland Pops Orchestra with his magnificent rendition of Gershwin\u2019s \u201cRhapsody in Blue\u201d.<\/p>\n
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.\u00a0 Here\u2019s what\u2019s happening with Leon Bates at the Niswonger this weekend.\u00a0This Saturday at 2 p.m., he will give a free talk on the many contributions of African American composers of American music.\u00a0 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.\u00a0All 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.<\/p>\n
Following the speaking engagement, Bates will work with four local pianists in a master class on the Central Insurance Stage of the Niswonger.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 The public is welcome to stay after the speaking event and observe Mr. Bates as he works with these students.\u00a0 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.<\/p>\n
These two events, beginning at 2 p.m. on Saturday are free of charge.\u00a0 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\u2019s Jewelry, Van Wert County Hospitals, Delphos Hearing Aid Center, Central Insurance Companies, and Taylor Auto Sales of Van Wert.\u00a0And, of course, StateWide Ford Lincoln and Van Wert Federal Savings Bank bring our entire season to you.<\/p>\n
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.\u00a0This wonderful instrument has been used on our stage many, many times; from pop pianists to jazz to country and rock.\u00a0But it is now that the instrument gets to really shine and \u201cshow off\u201d for you under the powerful and virtuosic hands and fingers of a concert pianist like Leon Bates.\u00a0 His repertoire on Sunday afternoon\u2019s performance will highlight the grandness of a concert grand piano and test it to its fullest extent.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n