World-traveling classical concert pianist Roman Rudnytsky is back in Nome for a performance at the Mini Convention Center. During his visit, Rudnytsky will also share his talents with students at Nome Public Schools’ two main campuses.
“I think it’s very important to do this for students,” Rudnytsky said. “Most of them have hardly heard a live classical performance of any kind … you never know — some kid might go home and ask their parents to learn an instrument because of something they heard.”
Born in New York City to Ukrainian parents, Rudnytsky was raised in Toms River, New Jersey. His mother, Maria Sokil, was a renowned opera singer in Ukraine, and his father, Antin Rudnytsky, was a pianist, composer and conductor.
Before Rudnytsky was born his parents became stranded in the United States when World War II broke out. The couple went on to start a family and raise their two sons in a musical household.
“That kind of atmosphere at home most certainly shaped my view of there's many things out there beyond just being in your immediate area,” Rudnytsky said.
Rudnystky recalled giving his first recital to 50 people crammed in his living room at the age of 7. He took both piano and violin lessons but found his calling in the keys.
“I never decided to play piano — the piano chose me,” he said. “I don’t remember a moment when I wasn’t playing the piano.”
Rudnystky went on to graduate from the prestigious Juilliard School in New York City. Since then, he has traveled to over 100 countries and played over 80 concert cruises. His current schedule includes concerts in Massachusetts, another cruise aboard Cunard’s Queen Mary 2, and his 24th concert tour in Australia, followed by a 14th in New Zealand.
Saturday’s program in Nome will feature works by Bach, Chopin, Horowitz, and Rachmaninoff, along with Rudnytsky’s own solo piano transcriptions of orchestral pieces, including Beethoven’s “Choral Fantasy” and “Emperor Concerto.”
“It’s an unusual thing — you never see that or hear that in a program,” Rudnytsky said of his transcriptions. “But it worked with these.”
Rudnytsky also served for nearly four decades on the faculty of Youngstown State University’s Dana School of Music in Ohio, where he continues to reside. His teaching experience informs his informal, educational performance style.
“I always say a few words so the audience gets a little bit of background as to what they’re hearing,” he said. “That’s the professor in me.”
Admission to Saturday’s concert is $8 for adults, $5 for youth and elders, or $20 for a family pass. Rudnytsky will also have CDs available for purchase.
“I hope the audience will enjoy this program and have a nice cultural night, if I may put it that way,” he said. “And I’m certainly going to be having a lot of fun performing.”
The concert begins at 7 p.m. at the Mini Convention Center. The Nome Arts Council is organizing the event.
