On Friday, March 21, pianist Alessio Bax performed at Minsky Recital Hall to roars of applause from the audience.

Bax played music from Beethoven and Modest Mussorgsky. The music constantly changed moods and tempos throughout the concert. One minute, the music would be calm and happy, and the next, loud, intense and ferocious. The variations in the pieces helped keep the audience engrossed in the performance.

It was clear Bax was physically engaged in his performance from his arm and head movements that accompanied his music. The complexity of the songs truly showcased Bax’s piano playing skills. His talent shined when the music would go to a very fast tempo. It looked like his arms were racing along the keys, but played all the notes with such precision.

The audience was mesmerized by his playing the entire time. Some of the audience even closed their eyes and smiled along while listening to the music, relaxing and getting lost in the tempo.

At the end of the show, the crowd’s reaction said it all, with loud bravos and a standing ovation. Bax played an encore song to the audience’s delight.

According to his website, “Alessio Bax graduated with top honors at the record age of 14 from the conservatory of his hometown in Bari, Italy, where he studied with Angela Montemurro. He studied in France with François-Joël Thiollier and attended the Chigiana Academy in Siena under Joaquín Achúcarro. In 1994 he moved to Dallas to continue his studies with Achúcarro at SMU’s Meadows School of the Arts, and he is now on the teaching faculty there.”

After the show there was a reception in the Collins Center for the Art, and Bax was there to greet people.

The 7 p.m. performance was open to the public, with tickets priced at $30, but was free to those who used a MaineCard to purchase ahead of time. On the day of the concert, tickets cost $13 for those with a MaineCard.