Paul Orgel, pianist, is a versatile musician with wide-ranging interests and a varied repertoire, has concertized throughout the United States, Europe, and China as a recitalist, soloist with orchestra and chamber musician. Critics have praised his playing for its “subtlety and attention to nuance” (Philadelphia Inquirer), “rare pathos” (New York Times), “brilliant technique, sense of humor and fantasy” (Bridgeport Post), “warmth and beauty of sound”, and “power and grace” (VT Times-Argus). Orgel has specialized in Czech music, performing programs of the complete piano music of Janáček, and music from Terezin, and as a scholar of classical performance practice, he has given recitals of Beethoven and Haydn on the Viennese fortepiano. He can be heard on recordings on CRI, (the Grammy- nominated “Music of Louis Moyse”, with flutist Karen Kevra), Capstone, Phoenix USA (Music from the Holocaust) and MSR (Suk, Chausson, and Reger).
Paul Orgel was educated at the Oberlin and New England Conservatories, and holds a doctorate in piano performance from Temple University. Among his piano teachers were Russell Sherman, Irwin Freundlich, and Harvey Wedeen. Former faculty at the Interlochen Arts Academy, Wesleyan University, Swarthmore and Haverford Colleges, he currently teaches at the University of Vermont, and is a piano faculty member of the Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival. Advanced students from his private studio have, for many years, been among Vermont’s most frequent winners of competitions and auditions.
