“Smolina displayed full command… playing with vigor and vitality… sure of technique and subtle phrasing. She produced dazzling effects… brought the audience close to frenzy.” Sarasota Herald Tribune
After her tour de force virtuosic program last season – and TWO standing ovations from her ecstatic Lincoln Hall audience, internationally acclaimed piano virtuoso and stunning SVETLANA SMOLINA is back by popular demand with a SUMMER PIANO POPS program of Romantic masterworks on Sunday, August 10 at 2 PM in air conditioned Lincoln Hall.
Acclaimed as “mesmerizing and dynamic” by the NY Times and for her “luxuriant tone” by the LA Times, Svetlana’s performance of bravura works with astonishing virtuosity and artistic nuance will be unforgettable – in works by Chopin, Debussy, Rachmaninoff, Liszt and Gershwin, among others.
Svetlana’s Lincoln Hall audience last November was enraptured – both in their two standing ovations and comments, demanding that she return as soon as possible! One of ARCA’s seasoned piano aficionados hailed her as “the best I’ve ever heard!”
Don’t miss her electrifying and triumphant return. And – bring all the young music and piano students that you know to be inspired by her thrilling pianism and artistry and by her personal warmth. Students are FREE and parents receive the ARCA member discount.
Another seasoned ARCA patron wrote, “She is phenomenal – truly gifted and beautiful and connects with her audience. Everything I had read about her prior to the concert seemed a bit like hyperbole, but when I experienced her performance, all those statements were true! She certainly deserved all those “BRAVOS!”
This concert will sell out – so buy online or reserve early.
Her artistry speaks volumes and her captivating performances and impeccable technique have earned standing ovations worldwide.
Hailed for being “Simply flawless” (Toronto Performing Arts Examiner) and “a true miracle“ (Zapolyarnaya Pravda), SVETLANA SMOLINA has performed with orchestras and in recitals and chamber music worldwide.
Svetlana’s recent performances include a tour to China with Dublin Philharmonic with Derek Gleeson, concerts with Orquesta Sinfonica Nacional Juvenil in Lima, Peru, at Carnegie Hall in NYC, with violinist Lee-Chin Siow in Singapore, at the Basel Casino with Charlie Siem, CCK Symphony Hall/Buenos Aires in the “Best Pianists of the 21st Century series”, at the Classical Tahoe Festival with Maestro Joel Revzen, at the festival in Ushuaia / Argentina, and at Cremona International Summer Festival.
Svetlana’s chamber music collaboration is treasured by artists around the globe and in the United States, with Ida Haendel, Vadim Repin, Narek Hakhnazaryan, Kian Soltani, Geyhee Kim, Alexander Knyazev, Enrico Dindo, Lee-Chin Siow, Pavel Spork, Charlie Siem, Roberto Cani, Oleg Sendetsky, Kim Fisher, Julian Milkis, Dr. Subramaniam and many others. Pictured here in her recent performances at iPalpiti Festival 2025 with Juan-Miguel Hernandez, Yury Revich and Francisco Vila.
A gorgeous woman, at home in her elegance and with captivating stage presence, Svetlana charmed her Lincoln Hall audience as she provided program commentary with delightful and compelling stories about the composers and the compositions.
Known for her “energy and fire” & “subtle phrasing”, the stunningly talented Svetlana Smolina is a highly sought-after world-acclaimed classical pianist who has performed, recorded, and collaborated with renowned musicians in major world music centers, performing with orchestras and in recitals worldwide to extended standing ovations as “she produced dazzling effects… and brought the audience close to frenzy.”
Her notable appearances with orchestras include Mariinsky Orchestra at Carnegie Hall, New York Philharmonic at Avery Fisher, St. Petersburg Philharmonic, Orchestra National de France, Dublin Philharmonic, South Florida Symphony, Odessa and Nizhny Novgorod Philharmonic, Pittsburgh Symphony, New Florida Philharmonic, Shreveport Symphony, New York Chamber.
And ARCA’s audience found Svetlana to be as warm and charming as she was genius-brilliant talented, as she met with families and young pianists after the concert – and enjoyed conversing with the public at the Red Brick Gallery exhibit following the concert.
Following the 2 PM concert in Lincoln Hall, Meet the Artists at the Wine & Cheese reception from 4 to 6 PM at the Red Brick Gallery and Gift Shop for the Exhibit of Artisans 3: Necklaces, Photography & Watercolors.
RBG’s summer exhibit that features three diverse artists each inspired by the richness of their international travel and world cultures – which is an ideal match for the concert of world renowned Russian-American pianist, SVETLANA SMOLINA.
“Artisans 3” presents the work of Susan Ferrandiz, necklace maker, who captures the color, patterns and textures of her time living in New York City, Cuba and Korea. Watercolorist Angela Hardwick depicts gardens and architecture in her native England and countries of her international travel, and photographer and painter Dennis Keyes’ explores the cultures of Mexico, China, and Europe in his fascination with the mythology of myriad cultures.
ARCA is grateful for the very generous contribution of ARCA Board members Dan and Karen Mortland, sponsoring the return of Svetlana Smolina to the Lincoln Hall Steinway.
This concert will sell out – so buy online or reserve early.
TICKETS: Adults $25, ARCA Members $20
SPECIAL STUDENT TICKET OFFER: Students FREE/ Parents $20
BUY online here.
CALL to reserve, 724-659-3153 to pay by cash or check at the door.
WALK-INS Welcome!
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Hailed for being “Simply flawless” (Toronto Performing Arts Examiner) and “a true miracle “(Zapolyarnaya Pravda), producing “dazzling effects”, SVETLANA SMOLINA has performed with orchestras and in recitals and chamber music worldwide.
Notable appearances with notable appearances the Mariinsky Orchestra at Carnegie Hall, New York Philharmonic at Avery Fisher, Pittsburgh Symphony, St. Petersburg Philharmonic, Orchestra National de France, Dublin Philharmonic, South Florida Symphony, Odessa and Nizhny Novgorod Philharmonic, New Florida Philharmonic, Shreveport Symphony, New York Chamber Orchestra.
A frequent guest at festivals worldwide, Ms. Smolina has performed at the Salzburg Festival, Hollywood Bowl, Ravinia Rising Stars, White Nights, Maggio Musicale, Mikkeli, Ruhr, Moscow Easter, Rotterdam Phillips Gergiev, International Gilmore, Settimane Musicali di Stresa, Michelangeli, Hennessy Artists Series at Hanoi Opera House, The Voice of Music in Upper Galilee.
She also has performed in Royal Covent Garden Opera, Mariinsky 3 Concert Hall, Tchaikovsky Moscow Conservatory, Mozarteum, Merkin Hall, Kravis Center, NJPAC, Yellow Lounge Berlin, Gulbenkian Foundation, Grand Artists Series in Tel-Aviv, Academia Santa Cecilia in Rome, Corfu Festival in Greece, New Names and D. Sakharov Festival in Russia.
Of her performance of Scriabin, New York Times, Paul Griffiths wrote, “Svetlana Smolina created a storming, breathing piano in Scriabin’s Fantasy in B minor…”
Recent recordings include Stravinsky’s Igor Stravinsky Les noces (Valery Gergiev, conductor on Decca/Phillips and on Mariinsky Label which received ICMA award).
In addition, she has a recording of solo Chopin Album for the Chopin iTunes Project, Benjamin Britten Young Apollo live recording from Walt Disney Hall for BCM+D record, Scriabin CD on Pentatone Oxingale Records and many broadcasts for NPR, WQXR New York, BBC, PBS, RAI, Kultura TV and other networks.
Svetlana is a Piano Visiting Professor at London Performing Academy of Music and has been appointed Piano Program Director at the Piano Conservatory, European Academy of Fine Arts. During recent tours internationally to perform concertos and in recital as in tours to China and Singapore, among others, Svetlana has given masterclasses for students.
Svetlana Smolina studied at Indiana University with Professor Alexander Toradze, joining his famed Toradze Piano Studio.
She also has studied at Balakirev Music College with Natalia Fish, at Oberlin Conservatory with Monique Duphil, at Brussels Royal Conservatory with Eugeny Mogilevsky and at University of Michigan with Arthur Greene where she received her DMA.
Here is Svetlana Smolina in Rachmaninoff’s Second Piano Concerto.
ARIVE EARLY & EXPLORE FOXBURG!
Enjoy a splendid summer day in Foxburg on the beautiful Allegheny – or spend an overnight at the Foxburg Inn and have a romantic Summer weekend!
Following the concert, Meet the Artists at the Wine & Cheese reception from 4 to 6 PM at the Red Brick Gallery and Gift Shop for the Exhibit of Artisans 3: Necklaces, Photography & Watercolors featuring Susan Ferrandiz, necklace maker – Dennis Keyes, photographer – Angela Hardwick, watercolorist.
The exhibits wine and cheese reception is Sunday, August 10, 4 – 6 PM, after the concert of pianist Svetlana Smolina at 2 PM in Lincoln Hall. The exhibit runs weekends July 11 – August 17.
“Artisans 3” presents the work of Susan Ferrandiz, necklace maker, who captures the color, patterns and textures of her time living in New York City, Cuba and Korea. Watercolorist Angela Hardwick depicts gardens and architecture in her native England and countries of her international travel, and photographer and painter Dennis Keyes’ explores the cultures of Mexico, China, and Europe in his fascination with the mythology of myriad cultures.
Before the concert, enjoy a walk along the Allegheny River trail up to the Clarion River confluence – OR you can rent bicycles or have a pontoon ride, both with Foxburg Tours.
Before or after the concert, enjoy fine dining at the Allegheny Grille – on the deck or in the main dining room with tables overlooking the stunning Allegheny River.
Save time to enjoy wine tasting and time on their patio at the newly renovated Foxburg Wine Cellars
Or bring some wine home to celebrate SUMMER – like their new refreshing Watermelon wine – or for those anniversaries and birthdays coming up, shop in the gift shop area of the Foxburg Wine Cellars.
REMEMBER – When you become an ARCA member at the $100 level you will enjoy a 10% discount on up to 6 bottles of wine on the day of an ARCA concert.
Have a Romantic SUMMER weekend in Foxburg with an overnight in the newly renovated and elegantly rustic Foxburg Inn where every room has a view of the river.
Become an ARCA member at the $100 level and receive a 5% room discount any time of the year and a 10% discount from Friday to Sunday on concert weekends, utilizing the hotel website or calling directly (724-659-3116) and showing your membership card at check-in.
