Sunday, October 12, 2025 | 4 p.m.
Peace United Church, Santa Cruz
Pianists Alexander Tutunov
&
Alon Goldstein
In a double program of Piano Concertos
Alon Goldstein
Alon Goldstein is a highly regarded and original pianist known for his musical intelligence and innovative programming. He has performed with various prestigious orchestras including the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Chicago Symphony, and the Israel Philharmonic, under the baton of renowned conductors such as Zubin Mehta and Herbert Blomstedt. In the upcoming season, he will be giving recitals in cities across the world, including performances in Philadelphia, Washington DC, Vienna, Berlin, and Milano. Additionally, Mr. Goldstein is continuing his successful recording project for the Naxos label, focusing on all piano concerti by Mozart.
In recent seasons, Mr. Goldstein has performed with orchestras such as the Orquesta Filarmônica de Minas Gerais and the Beijing Symphony, tackling works by composers like Brahms, Mozart, and Beethoven. He has also given recitals and played chamber music with various ensembles, including the Goldstein-Peled-Fiterstein Trio and the Fine Arts Quartet, in venues around the world. Notable highlights include appearances at the Indianapolis Symphony Prokofiev Festival, a Latin American tour with the Israel Chamber Orchestra, and performances with the Chicago Symphony and the London Philharmonic.
Aside from his performances, Mr. Goldstein is passionate about music education and has taught at renowned institutions such as the Ravinia Festival’s Steans Institute, the International Keyboard Institute and Festival, and Music@Menlo. He has received numerous honors and awards, including the Society of Scholars award from his alma mater, Johns Hopkins University. Currently, he serves as the Artistic Director of the Lieven Piano Foundation summer school in Vienna, the Artistic Director of the Mt. Angel Abbey Bach Festival in Oregon, and Co-Director of The Distinguished Artists Concert & Lecture Series in Santa Cruz, CA. He also founded the Emerald Coast Music Alliance, which hosts an annual festival in Florida aimed at bringing classical music to under-served communities.
Alon Goldstein: https://alongoldstein.com/
Alexander Tutunov
Alexander Tutunov is one of the most outstanding virtuosos of the former Soviet Union. His playing was described by Soviet Culture, Moscow, as “exhilarating and inspired, and which demonstrated a unique talent”. Dr. Tutunov maintains a busy performing schedule worldwide as a recitalist, soloist with orchestra, and on radio and television and is also in demand as an adjudicator for piano competitions.
Tutunov’s recording of the Abeliovich Piano Concerto was featured as part of the Emmy award winning soundtrack for the History Channel documentary, Russia: Land of Tsars, and his performance of the Tchaikovsky Concert Fantasy with the Russian Philharmonic Orchestra on CD was described as “sensitive and idiomatic” by the International Piano magazine (London). Other recordings include: Concerto for Piano & Orchestra by Peter Sacco with the Czech National Symphony Orchestra (Albany Records) and the solo piano works of Lev Abeliovich Sonatas & Frescoes, Trio, Songs (Altarus Records).
Tutunov graduated magna cum laude from the Central Music School of the Moscow Conservatory (studies with Anna Artobolevskaya and Lev Naumov) and University of North Texas (piano studies with Joseph Banowetz). Awarded his doctoral diploma with honors in concert performance from the Belarusian State Conservatory, Dr. Tutunov has taught at the Minsk College of Music, the University of North Texas, and Illinois Wesleyan University.
Alexander Tutunov now lives in Ashland, where he is Professor of Piano and Artist in Residence at Southern Oregon University. A successful piano pedagogue, he continues to prepare award-winning students. Dr. Tutunov has been the Artist in Residence at the University of Alaska Southeast, Principal Guest Soloist with the Port Angeles Symphony orchestra, and the Director of the Chinese-American International Piano Institute in Chengdu, China.
Alexander Tutunov: https://tutunov.com/bio.html