by Migael Scherer

Special to the Weekly

When Grisha Krivchenia plays the classical piano, he wants his listeners “to experience the music the way it was when it was first performed, when it was new and exciting.” He brings his expressive and engaging style to the Lopez Center on Saturday, April 8 at 7:30 p.m.

Krivchenia sang in rock bands in high school, and never lost his instincts to interact with audiences. His concerts are as much conversations as performances, with entertaining banter and vivid stories that provide context and connection.

Krivchenia divides his time between Friday Harbor and Santa Fe, with a busy schedule of performances in between. He studied at Oberlin Conservatory, and in 2007 founded the music program at Spring Street International. He continues to work informally with students there.

In addition to playing and composing in the classical style, Grisha has a special interest in using art to amplify voices that might otherwise go unheard. He has composed art songs based on texts by Syrians in exile, and also collaborates with hospice patients. “We compose together,” he explains. “The songs are created with them, not about them.”

At Lopez Center, Grisha will play his own compositions, including works from his new CD, “Darkness and Light,” as well as Bach, Shubert and Rachmaninoff. He plans to end the concert with pieces written in collaboration with hospice patients.

Tickets for the concert are $15 for adults and $5 for youth, online (www.lopezcenter.org) or at the door. His new CD will be available for purchase.