Recital provides taste of things to come at Kauffman Center

Date: October 29, 2007

Author: Kauffman Center

Precisely 100 years of musical excellence came together from two different sources to make a brilliant combustion of music for Kauffman Center donors and supporters the evening of October 11 at Webster House. 

Vladimir Horowitz’s 64-year-old historical piano was used in a recital by 36-year-old Stanislav Ioudenitch, a gold medalist at the 2001 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition.  About 90 guests had the chance to enjoy spectacular music in an intimate setting after enjoying a lovely reception hosted by Shirley and Barnett Helzberg.

This special recital provided a true taste of things to come at the Kauffman Center. And it appropriately evolved through community connections that are beginning to blossom around the new performing arts center.  It all began when Kauffman Center President Jane Chu visited Park University last spring to learn about their International Center for Music (ICM). 

During the meeting with Park’s President Beverly Pevitts, Stanislav Ioudenitch, the ICM’s artistic director, asked Jane if she were aware that the historic Horowitz piano was going to be on display at in Kansas City this fall.  Stanislav added that Horowitz was his idol and offered to play a recital for the Kauffman Center if Jane could manage to make the piano available.

Jane immediately turned to Bob Haugen, general manager of Schmitt Music, who was bringing the Horowitz piano to town as part of Steinway & Sons’ Legendary Pianos Tour.  Bob was intrigued by the opportunity to support the Kauffman Center, to showcase local talent and to highlight the international tour of three remarkable pianos (see sidebar below).  The idea for a recital at Webster House quickly took shape and Shirley and Barnett Helzberg agreed to host the event.  All that was left were the logistics—including safely moving an historic, 1,000 pound piano into Webster House’s upstairs rooms.  (And just a few other details.)

On October 11, guests gathered for cocktails and hors d’oeuvres before the 45-minute recital.  Ioudenitch selected a range of works, including one by his favorite composer Schubert, that not only showcased his technical prowess but also demonstrated his ability to impart a range and depth of meaning and emotion through his music.  Stanislav ended the evening with the Horowitz transcription of “Stars and Stripes Forever,” bringing the audience readily to its feet.

About the Horowitz Piano

Vladimir Horowitz was one of the few concert pianists who toured with his own piano in tow.  Crafted in 1943, his Steinway concert grand piano accompanied him for most of his career, including his historic 1986 tour of Russia.  Horowitz also used this piano during production of his final album, Horowitz: The Last Recording (1989). Trivia buffs might be interested to know that a special waterproof case was built to transport the well-traveled piano.

More about the Legendary Pianos Tour

If you missed this display, you can see the Legendary Pianos Tour itinerary here.  Besides Horowitz’s piano there is a concert grand personally owned by Van Cliburn and that he used on some of his tours. There is also a brilliant blue seven-foot Rhapsody art-case piano designed in American art-deco style by furniture designer Frank Pollaro to commemorate the 100th anniversary of composer George Gershwin's birth. 

Thanks to Bob Haugen, Julie Scherer and other Schmitt Music staff for their generous support of the Kauffman Center event. From September 17 through October 16, 2007, these three remarkable instruments were on display at Schmitt Music at Rosana Square as part of the Legendary Pianos Tour sponsored by Steinway and Sons.