Russian pianist joins Warsaw Philharmonic at Ham Hall

Friday, Nov. 12, 2004 | 9:10 a.m.

Her great grandmother sang with Rachmaninoff. Her great-great grandmother was a friend of Tchaikovsky.

But Russian pianist Olga Kern is making her own classical music mark performing her way across the globe with a trail of critics praising her technique and enthusiasm.

On Saturday the 2001 winner of the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition will perform at UNLV's Artemus Ham Concert Hall with the Warsaw Philharmonic: The National Orchestra of Poland.

In 2001 at age 26 Kern was the first woman to receive the Nancy Lee and Perry R. Bass gold medal at the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition in more than 30 years. She had been studying piano since age 5 and was competing in international competitions by age 17.

Still trying to earn her merit, Kern's performance earlier this year at Zankel Hall provided rave reviews, which helped opened the door for her to fill in for pianist Krystian Zimmerman at Carnegie Hall.

Formed in 1901, the Warsaw Philharmonic is considered one of Poland's leading musical institutions. The 95-member orchestra, led by Antoni Wit, will perform Penderecki's"Polymorphia," Chopin's "Concerto No. 1 in E Minor for Piano and Orchestra, Op. 11" and Brahm's "Symphony No. 1 in C minor, Op. 68."