Grisha Krivchenia, composer and pianist, plays Chopin, Liszt and Schubert on the Presbyterian Church’s Young Chang Concert Grand Piano.

The composer loves this piano. “the Young Chang has very even, reliable action.  This makes it easier for me to play with a very wide dynamic range,” Krivchenia said.

“The sound of a large instrument is very much dependent upon the room in which it lives. The tall, wooden ceilings yield a rich, reverberant tonal quality.”

Krivchenia moved to this area four years ago with his wife, who grew up on San Juan Island.

During his time here, he has taught music and philosophy at Spring Street International School, as well as teaching private lessons to adults and teens in Friday Harbor.

He completed his training at Oberlin Conservatory, where he studied piano with Sedmara Rutstein and composition with Lewis Nielson and Jeffrey Mumford.

Toronto’s Arraymusic, Los Angeles’s The Blue Rose Trio, and the Cleveland Chamber Symphony have performed his work.

This year, he is finishing a concerto for piano and string orchestra.

The recital on Saturday, May 7 at 7 p.m. is free due to the  generosity of an anonymous sponsor.

San Juan Island Agricultural Guild and the Presbyterian Church, hosting this event, will share the proceeds of any donations with the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance for Japan.

For more information call 378-4544.