Alexander Paley, a Blüthner artist, first performed on the Washington Conservatory series shortly after the purchase of our Blüthner Concert Grand Piano in 2003. Since then, we have been honored to present him in yearly concerts - often his only US solo concert. With an extensive and continuous touring, recording, and performing schedule both as a soloist and with orchestras throughout Eastern and Western Europe, China, and South America, and with a conservatory teaching position in Paris, Mr. Paley's US performances are a rarity.
The upcoming all-Tchaikovsky program is not the first time Paley has chosen to highlight works by one composer. Previous WCM presentations include his three-concert weekend of the complete sonatas of Mozart, and his 2011 all-Liszt concert that was recorded and heard on WETA's "Front Row Washington" last October.
A winner of the 2006 "French Grammy," Les Victoires de la Musique Classique, Mr. Paley is widely recognized for his exceptionally broad and extensive repertoire, his dazzling technical prowess, and his convincing, personal interpretations. Born in Kishiniev, Moldova, Paley began playing the piano when he was six and at sixteen won the National Music Competition of Moldova. He studied at the Moscow Conservatory and won major awards, including First Prize at the Leipzig International Bach Competition in 1984, the Bösendorfer Prize in 1986, and the Grand Prix at the First International Pancho Vladigerov Competition in Bulgaria.
As a chamber musician, Paley has partnered with eminent artists such as the late Mstislav Rostropovich and ensembles including the Vermeer, Ysa˙e, and the Fine Arts string quartets. Paley lives in Paris and New York City with his wife, pianist Peiwen Chen.
