Wassermann Piano Series to Bring Pianists Dominic Doutney, Nikolai Lugansky to USU

LOGAN, Utah — The Wassermann Piano series will showcase rising young concert pianist Dominic Doutney at USU next week. Doutney will perform works by Brahms, Liszt, and Rachmaninoff at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 1 in the Russell/Wanlass Performance Hall in advance of his Kennedy Center debut.

Originally from Britain, Doutney is currently based in Chicago pursuing his Doctor of Musical Arts at Northwestern University's Bienen School of Music with Professor James Giles.

A recipient of the Eckstein Scholarship, Doutney has won prestigious competitions, including the 2024 Washington International Competition and the Mauro Paolo Monopoli International Competition.

Doutney’s notable past achievements include receiving the Tagore Gold Medal from the Royal College of Music and performing for King Charles III. With a rich performance history that spans Europe and North America, Doutney's upcoming engagements include recitals in the U.S. and Northern Ireland.

His performances have been featured on BBC Radio 3 and Antena 2, and he has studied with renowned artists such as Sir Andras Schiff and Stephen Hough.

"I personally heard him play at the Walled City International Piano Festival in Northern Ireland last summer,” said Wassermann Piano Series Director Cahill Smith. “I was blown away — he is doing incredible work.”

While the Wassermann Series often engages mature concert artists at the height of their careers, Smith said, organizers also see the importance of presenting younger artists like Doutney.

“It is inspiring to the students to get to work with someone who is in the earlier stages of building a vibrant career in music,” Smith said.

The Wassermann Piano Series has long been one of the most high-profile concert series in Utah, drawing piano enthusiasts from the entire Western region. The concert honors the late Irving Wassermann, who founded the piano program at Utah State University.

The annual series has brought acclaimed soloists such as Krystian Zimerman, Sergey Babayan, Daniil Trifonov, the Brad Mehldau Trio, Stephen Hough, Marc-André Hamelin, and Yundi Li to USU for world-class performances at a very low cost.

In addition to their performances, guest artists offer a free masterclass where USU students work closely with the artists in front of an audience. This highlights the late Irving Wassermann's commitment to maximizing the educational impact these artists have on aspiring music students.

The masterclasses expose students to different philosophies on music, practical advice on technique, injury prevention, and how to read music effectively.

“It’s like an immediate injection of practice fuel for the students,” Smith said. “After attending the masterclass, they immediately go and try the things they heard.”

In the spring, the Wassermann Piano Series will present the internationally renowned pianist Nikolai Lugansky.

Lugansky’s extensive repertoire spans over 50 piano concerts across a diverse range of styles and eras. In recognition of his exceptional contributions to the arts, he was awarded the title“Honored Artist of the Russian Federation in 2013.

Lugansky will be performing Feb. 18, 2024.

Purchase tickets online or at the CCA Box Office located in the Daryl Chase Fine Arts Center. Tickets for this event are free for USU students, $25 for general admission, and $10 for youth under 18. For more information, visit the event website or call the box office at (435) 797-8022.