A world of pianists, in St. Paul

The Chopin Society, known for showcasing first-rate pianistic talent in an intimate setting, has announced the musicians who will perform in St. Paul during the 2010-11 season.

The lineup includes fewer twentysomethings than usual, and a number of veterans of the international concert stage:

• Croatian-born, Miami-based pianist Kemal Gekic, performing Chopin etudes on Oct. 10.

• Canadian pianist Anton Kuerti, in an all-Beethoven program Nov. 14.

• Rafal Blechacz, of Poland, 2005 Gold Medal Winner of the International Chopin Competition, on Feb. 6, 2011.

• Israeli pianist Alon Goldstein, in his second Chopin Society appearance, on March 13.

• Legendary Russian pianist Elisso Virsaladze, not well-known in the United States, plays music of Mozart, Schumann, Chopin and Prokofiev on April 17.

All of the concerts are at 3 p.m. on Sundays.

The fall dates are in the concert hall at Janet Wallace Fine Arts Center at Macalester College. The spring 2011 concerts move to Sundin Hall at Hamline University, while the Macalester arts venue undergoes a major renovation. The move means fewer seats -- 325 vs. 380 at Macalester -- but Mary Sigmond of the Chopin Society said they chose Hamline as a temporary home because of its location, acoustics and available parking.

The Chopin Society has recently booked young pianists on the rise. In 2006, it featured the young Russian pianist Yevgeny Sudbin, who has since signed on to record Beethoven's piano concertos with the Minnesota Orchestra.

At just 22, Chinese native Yuja Wang wowed the Star Tribune's critic with her Chopin Society recital in March 2009. "She is well beyond adjectives like 'promising,'" wrote Larry Fuchsberg of Wang. "She is a finished artist of formidable range and depth." Wang went on to be nominated for a Grammy Award last year.

Claude Peck • 612-673-7977