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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