Concert pianist Gregg Pauley makes Franco Center debut

LEWISTON — Concert pianist and educator Gregg Pauley makes his debut at the Franco-American Heritage Center in Lewiston on Friday, October 26.

The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. and will feature two major works by Beethoven and Mussorgsky: Sonata No. 32, the last of Beethoven’s sonatas, and “Pictures at An Exhibition,” Mussorgsky’s most famous piano composition and a showpiece for virtuoso pianists.

Praised by critics for having “perfect dynamic nuances” and being “at all times technically brilliant,” Pauley has appeared in recitals throughout the United States and in Europe.

A native of Southern California, he completed his undergraduate work at the University of Southern California, where he was a pupil of James Bonn. He received a master’s degree from the Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University, where he studied with Ilana Vered.

Now based in New England, Pauley is a member of the piano faculty at Tufts University and St. Paul’s School, and keeps a very active private studio in Concord, NH. He is in demand for his master classes and as a juror at piano competitions.

Last spring, he participated in the immensely successful Klavierfest at Bowdoin College, where he performed an early composition by Vladimir Horowitz.

Pauley recently returned from Italy, where he was Director of MusicFest Perugia, in which he collaborated with his former teacher and MusicFest founder, Ilana Vered.

His CD, “What the West Wind Saw,” takes its title from a piece in Debussy’s first set of Preludes and includes solo works by Ravel, Chopin, Beethoven, and Scriabin, as well as Debussy, compositions that reflect the elements of nature: earth, wind, fire, and water.

Pauley’s concert is the second in a series of six piano concerts hosted by the Franco Center in its current season. The cost to attend the concert is $16 for adults and $14 for seniors if purchased in advance, and free for students under the age of 21.

Tickets may be purchased on-line at francocenter.org, by phone at 689-2000, or in person at the Franco Center box office between noon and 4 p.m. on weekdays.