LEWISTON — Concert pianist Diane Walsh will perform Friday, Dec. 21, at L/A’s Gendron Franco Center, 46 Cedar St. A pre-concert social hour begins when the doors open at 6 p.m.
Walsh’s program, part of the center’s Piano Series season, will begin at 7 p.m. and feature works by Bach, Liszt, Brahms and “A Little Suite for Christmas, A.D. 1979” by American composer George Crumb.
The program will reflect her vast and varied repertoire, ranging from Bach to Crumb.
A Steinway Artist, she has appeared throughout the world in solo recital, concerto performances and with chamber ensembles. Next March, she will perform the Schumann piano concerto with the Portland Symphony under the baton of Ruth Reinhardt.
Walsh has presented recitals in many distinguished venues, including the 92nd Street Y and Merkin Hall in New York City, Washington’s Kennedy Center, Chicago’s Orchestra Hall and, abroad. As a chamber musician, she has performed in music festivals throughout the United States. From 1999 to 2004, she served as artistic director of the Skaneateles Festival in New York. Her work on the theater stage broadened the public’s recognition of her musical gifts.
Among her many honors, Walsh received awards at the Concert Artists Guild International Competition and the Young Concert Artists International Auditions. She also won top prizes in the Salzburg Mozart Competition, the William Kapell International Competition, and the Busoni International Competition. A prizewinner in the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, she also received that competition’s chamber music award.
Walsh taught at the Mannes College of Music for 32 years and, in January 2014, moved with her husband, the writer Richard Pollak, to Maine. In the fall of 2015, she was a Visiting Artist at Colby College in Waterville..
For tieckt more information, contact the box office at 207-783-1585. Students are admitted free. The Dolard and Priscilla Gendron Franco Center is handicapped accessible. All proceeds will benefit the Franco Center. Box office hours are noon to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and two hours before every show.
