A grand entrance in Newport

If you haven’t had the chance to visit the Pacific Maritime Heritage Center in Newport since it reopened to the public, now is the perfect time to stop by and check out some of the stage improvements which have taken place in the Doerfler Family Theater.

On Sunday, April 24, concert pianist Alexander Tutunov will be performing a free concert in the theater, featuring a variety of musical pieces to celebrate the Maitland 1918 Steinway grand piano donated by Frank and Michelle Harris Geltner in 2019.

Tutunov has appeared with the Newport Symphony Orchestra and performed regularly as part of the Oregon Coast Chamber Music Society programs.

He is widely recognized as one of the most outstanding virtuosos of the former Soviet Union. He was a first prize winner of the Belarusian National Piano Competition and winner of the Russian National Piano Competition. His playing has been described as “exhilarating and inspired, demonstrating a unique talent.”

Maintaining a busy performing schedule in Europe, China, Mexico and the United States as a recitalist and soloist with orchestras and on radio and television, Tutunov is also in demand as an adjudicator for piano competitions. He now lives in Ashland, where he is Professor of Piano and Artist in Residence at Southern Oregon University.

While the concert will feature Tutunov, he will be joined by cellist Adrienne Welsh for one piece by Agate Beach composer Ernest Bloch, dedicated to the people of Ukraine. “Prayer” is one of three pieces included in Bloch’s “From Jewish Life: Three Sketches for Violoncello and Piano.”

The concert begins at 2 pm at the Pacific Maritime Heritage Center, located at 333 SE Bay Blvd. The center will be open to the public for free from noon to 4 pm, and donations will be accepted. For more information, go to oregoncoasthistory.org or call Frank Geltner at 541-961-1482.