Emilia Vishnevetsky Flegel

Pianist

Emilia Vishnevetsky Flegel received her training at the renowned St. Petersburg Conservatory, where she studied under Nadya Golubovsky (an acclaimed connoisseur of baroque music and a friend and advisor to Prokofiev) and Vladimir Nielsen, who has been called the last great pianist in the Russian Romantic tradition.

In music competitions and festivals in Russia, Emilia received top prizes and special awards for her interpretations of Bach, Tchaikovsky, and her skills as an accompanist. She performed with symphony orchestras, and participated in music programs on state radio and television. For over ten years she held a position as piano soloist and accompanist for the State Philharmonic.

Since coming to Minnesota in 1989 she has appeared as a soloist with the Minnesota Sinfonia and with members of the Minnesota Orchestra. She has also performed for the Chopin Society, Thursday Musical, the Schubert Club, the Walker Art Center, and the Bowdoin Summer Chamber Music Festivals.

She is highly valued as a teacher, accompanist, instrumental and vocal coach, and lecturer. Her skills for improvisation enhance and add the beauty to the liturgy, when she accompanies services at Bet Shalom.

Since 1996 she has been performing chamber music with James Flegel (classical guitar). The demands of the repertoire lead her to transcribe orchestral and instrumental music for guitar and piano. She is noted for high artistic qualities of her arrangements. She shares her passion for music as a performer whether in a concert hall or by bringing her art to the community.