Last modified: Monday, October 27, 2008 2:38 AM EDT Nicolai Lomov, a world renowned concert pianist, is the regular organist at the Central Congregational Church in Attleboro Falls. (Staff photo by Tom Maguire) Take note of this organist in North Attleboro BY MICHAEL GELBWASSER SUN CHRONICLE STAFF NORTH ATTLEBORO - This Sunday's 10 a.m. service at Central Congregational Church sounded like a Carnegie Hall recital. Longtime member and regular organist Nicolai Lomov has performed in both venues - as well as worldwide. Born in Russia, Lomov has been a concert pianist for more than 45 years. From being chosen for a gifted program at age 5, to soloing with the Moscow and Leningrad Philharmonic Orchestras, Lomov was renowned long before he emigrated to the United States nearly 20 years ago. His acclaim began spreading locally in 1991. That's when he became the Attleboro Falls church's regular organist and choir director, said the pastor, the Rev. Carole Baker. His first CD in the States, "The Lark," is in the library at PBS station WGBH-TV in Boston, and selections from it are "used often in their programs," Lomov says. Lomov also advises students at the Sharon Music Academy in Sharon, and has judged international competitions. Lomov, 62, lives with his wife and 14-year-old daughter in Westerly, R.I., "only seven miles from the ocean." This interview was conducted by e-mail. SUN CHRONICLE: You've played piano since your early childhood. Have you ever become bored or frustrated enough to consider another profession? NICOLAI LOMOV: I started to play piano without teachers when I was 3 years old, by listening to the radio, and my sister's program, because she was at that time in music school. I simply copied everything I heard, including many songs which my parents and friends used during the parties in our home. I always enjoyed playing the piano, and never thought to change my occupation. But, I like sports, my boat and my bicycle. Also, I like to fix everything in my house. SC: Which work was your hardest to master? Why? LOMOV: The most difficult work for me was in my two first years at the Moscow Conservatory, when I was 17, because I felt like I had not trained enough before. I practiced from 7 a.m. every day to collect more of a repertoire, and to develop rapidly. SC: How has your style evolved? LOMOV: The style depends on the repertoire. Even in my concert in North Attleboro, I demonstrated three different styles of music. My personal style is: maximum in sound and images, and minimum in move (a very economical style). SC: You were a dishwasher for a time. How did this come about? I read that you had "disappeared." Is this true? If so, would you please explain? LOMOV: In my 62 years, I have done many things, and my private life is rich with many adventures. My immigration to the USA is a good example of many "very little things." But, I am a musician, and don't want to discuss anything else. SC: How often do you perform now? LOMOV: Four, five concerts per year. I would like to do more, if you would recommend to me a good agent. Right now, I use only personal invitations from different organizations. SC: You've performed at the Queen Elizabeth competition in Brussels, and for North Attleboro's Central Congregational Church. Which do you prefer as a pianist: the high-profile concerts or the smaller, community ones? LOMOV: I like to play in big concert halls more than in smaller ones. But more important is the quality of the piano. Emotionally, it's the same if I play a free concert, or in a big concert hall of 1,500 chairs with an orchestra. SC: Is there a work that you're eager to start performing? If so, which one and why? LOMOV: If this question is about new repertoire, I continue to play more Rachmaninoff. And it's very interesting to include George Gershwin; he is a brand new author for me. Last year, I played for first time the Liszt Rhapsody in F-Major, and enjoyed it. SC: What do you do for fun, when you're not teaching or performing? LOMOV: I love my family and friends. I like my garden and fruit trees. I like to swim. I like to be a judge in the Boston International Competition. I like to sail on my Morgan yacht. I like to make my own 17 CDs by myself in my studio. I like my kitty. I like summer more than winter. MICHAEL GELBWASSER can be reached at 508-236-0439 or at mgelbwasser@thesunchronicle.com.