Wednesday, October 20, 1999
Wednesday, October 20, 1999 |
| World-renowned
pianist sets Gordon College appearance By
MICHAEL BOYLAN The works of Mozart and Beethoven are particularly beloved and respected in the classical music world. For performers who can play the pieces with the same panache and flair, they can soar to dizzying heights of worldwide acclaim. For Irish pianist John O'Conor, the world has been his oyster since his early days at the bench. His special talents will be on display this Thursday, Oct. 21 at the Gordon College Fine Arts Auditorium. O'Conor's early studies began with J.J. O'Reilly at the College of Music in Dublin. From there, O'Conor followed in the footsteps of Mozart, when he was awarded an Austrian government scholarship that enabled him to study in Vienna under Dieter Weber. O'Conor then was unanimously awarded first prize in the International Beethoven Competition in Vienna, an achievement followed by first prize at the Bosendorfer Piano competition in 1975. O'Conor has played in nearly every major city in the world with the world's leading orchestras and conductors. He also has appeared as a guest soloist with many touring foreign orchestras. His most recent appearance was with the Stuttgart Chamber Orchestra under conductor Leon Fleisher. The recording world has brought O'Conor to the attention of classical music fans. In 1986, the first volume of the complete Beethoven sonatas came out. It was reviewed by CD Review magazine as, “piano recording of the highest caliber and Beethoven playing at its best.” Since then, O'Conor has recorded the complete Beethoven Bagatelles, four volumes of Mozart concertos, numerous works by Schubert, and two volumes of short piano pieces. O'Conor records on the Telarc label. On top of all of O'Conor's achievements, his work developing young pianists must be noted as well. He has served on the juries at some of the most prestigious music competitions in the world. He also frequently gives master classes and lectures in many of the places where he performs. When he's not on the piano, he lives in Dublin with his wife and two sons. John O'Conor will perform at 8 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 21 at the Gordon College Fine Arts Auditorium. It will be the second time in three years that he has played at Gordon. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students and Gordon College faculty members. For information, call 770-358-5057 or 770-358-5040.
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