John O'Conor performs at Catholic University for International Piano Festival

The Washington International Piano Festival opened Sunday at Catholic University's Ward Recital Hall with an imposing recital by Irish pianist John O'Conor, who teaches at the Shenandoah Conservatory. Offering a fresh take on some timeless staples of the piano repertoire, O'Conor began with Beethoven's Six Bagatelles, Op. 126, followed by his Sonata in C Minor, Op. 13 (the "Pathétique"), and Schubert's wrenching late Sonata in C minor, D. 958.