On Sunday, Feb. 27 at 4 p.m., the Sanibel Congregational United Church of Christ will present pianist Gayle Martin Henry in concert. Her program will include works by Debussy’s Estampes, Mendelssohn’s Rondo Capriccio, Op. 14, Beethoven’s Sonata quasi una fantasia, Op. 27, No. 2 (Moonlight) and Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition. A reception will follow the concert. The concert will benefit F.I.S.H. of Sanibel.

Henry has had a distinguished career as a concert pianist, achieving international prominence as a the sole American laureate of the sixth International Tchaikovsky Piano Competition in Moscow, and only the third American woman ever to reach the finals.

In reviewing her solo Alice Tully Hall concert at Lincoln Center, The New York Concert Review reported that she created “a truly magical atmosphere … and made this listener smile with pleasure.” Other reviewers have written of “her intense passion and deep-seated emotional response to the music.” (The Washington Post)

Recent highlights include a performance of the Beethoven “Emperor” Concerto with the California Philharmonic at the Ambassador Theater in Pasadena, and Korngold’s Suite for Piano Left Hand and Strings at the Museum of Modern Art in Fort Worth. In October 2010, she performed Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto #1 with the Ridgefield Symphony in Connecticut.

Henry has appeared with the Houston Symphony, the Maracaibo Symphony, the Denver Symphony and the Philharmonia Virtuosi of New York. She has toured throughout South America, including an engagement in Buenos Aires at the Teatro Colon with the Orquestra Sinfonica Naciolnal de Argentina. Her performance with the Moravian Philharmonic (Czech Republic) of Judith Shatin’s Piano Concerto, “The Passion of St. Cecilia,” was released by Capstone Records. She has also performed at the White House.

A native Texan, Henry lives in Westport, Conn. with her husband Jack, and is a member of the Saugatuck Congregational Church, where she frequently brings her gifts to worship. Over a six year period of time, Ms. Henry played for monthly worship services in the style of the Taize Community of France.

F.I.S.H. of Sanibel offers a variety of services to Island residents including transportation assistance, meal delivery to those whose circumstances do not readily permit them to prepare their own meals, an extensive food pantry, health referral services, care-giver respite and a variety of support groups.

Tickets for the concert are $20 for adults and $10 for students, and are available at the church office, located at 2050 periwinkle Way, or the F.I.S.H. office at 1630-B Periwinkle Way on Sanibel. For further information, contact the church by calling 472-0472 or by e-mail at office@sanibelucc.org.