InConcert Sierra welcomes back acclaimed Grammy award-winning pianist Garrick Ohlsson, the only American ever to win Poland’s prestigious International Frédéric Chopin Piano Competition, on Sunday, February 16 at 2pm.
Garrick Ohlsson last performed for InConcert Sierra in 2012 to great acclaim. Charles Atthill, concert reviewer for The Union newspaper at the time wrote, “Ohlsson commands attention, holding the audience rapt for every note. His 6-foot 4-inch frame is almost unmoving, his face impassive. His enormous hands do the singing, and with what voice, carrying off torrents of octaves, cascading arpeggios, crashing chords, and delicate trills, with extraordinary eloquence and sob-inducing sensitivity.”
The concert will open with Haydn’s “Sonata in C major, Hob. XVI:50,” a work that brims with elegance, wit, and technical brilliance—perfectly suited to Ohlsson’s clarity and refined touch. Following this is “Convocations” by Tom Misson, a piece composed specifically for Ohlsson, offering a rare opportunity to hear a contemporary work crafted for his artistry. Samuel Barber’s ‘Piano Sonata in E-flat minor, Op. 26”brings a dramatic and virtuosic contrast. As one of the great American sonatas of the 20th century, it’s a thrilling and emotionally charged work, demanding both power and lyricism—qualities Ohlsson possesses in abundance.
The program’s second half is a journey through Chopin’s genius, from the flowing lyricism of the “Impromptu in A-flat Major, Op. 29” and the dreamy and intricate “Barcarolle, Op. 60”, to the expressive depth of the “Nocturne in B Major, Op. 62, No. 1.” The program culminates in the stormy brilliance of the “Scherzo in B-flat minor, Op. 31”, a dazzling display of Chopin’s virtuosity and dramatic intensity.
Known for his technical precision, deep musical understanding, and a wide-ranging repertoire, Ohlsson has collaborated over his long career with major orchestras and chamber ensembles worldwide. Despite his stature as a world-class pianist, colleagues and audiences often describe him as approachable and engaging, with a good sense of humor and a genuine love for music and sharing it with others.
“I’m thrilled to have Garrick Ohlsson on our series again. After his remarkable 2012 performance, my inbox overflowed with accolades and requests for his return. One of the joys of my role is listening to and acting on these requests, even if it takes some time,” said ICS Artistic Director Ken Hardin.
This concert is part of InConcert Sierra’s Third Sunday Series. However, there will not be a pre-concert forum prior to this performance.
Since its founding in 1946, InConcert Sierra has brought world-class classical music to the Sierra Nevada Region. The organization offers outreach programs, educational opportunities, and collaborations to inspire a passion for classical music. ICS is currently constructing the Crown Point Venues, which will include a new acoustic concert hall, conference center, and black box theater.
WHAT: Garrick Ohlsson, piano
WHEN: Sunday, February 16, 2025 at 2pm
WHERE: 12889 Osborne Hill Road, Grass Valley, (Seventh-day Adventist Church)
TICKETS: $50 general admission, $5 youth 18 and under
Phone: 530-273-3990; online: https://www.simpletix.com/e/garrick-ohlsson-tickets-192547#smtx-click; or in person