Classical pianist Howard Wells sometimes prefers the...

Classical pianist Howard Wells sometimes prefers the intimacy of playing a small concert to working a large hall. The nationally known soloist has accompanied singers with the Metropolitan Opera’s national company and the New York City Opera, but will play before a cozy crowd at 8 p.m. Saturday at Words and Music in Hillcrest.

Wells, who had occasionally performed with the San Diego Symphony, will play and discuss a set of waltzes by Brahms, several Rachmaninov preludes and miscellaneous pieces by Scriabin. Wells said he a performer doesn’t get a chance to talk about composers or tell musical anecdotes in a large hall. But, he said, it’s becoming more popular to discuss the music before playing in small venues.

Wells has played at Words and Music several times and says he enjoys the intimacy with the audience. A grand piano is the central feature of the store which sells used books of all kinds.

“It just seems natural that anyone who likes good books will like good music,” said owner Victor Margolis. “We’ve been in existence for three years and have had over 100 concerts. We have music twice a week.

“As I recall, Howard came into the store about a year ago and wanted to play. I had heard of him and was going to get around to asking him to play at the store.”

Wells said he recently played two chamber concerts at UC San Diego.

“I can’t really decide which I like more, chamber music or playing as a soloist,” he said. “I really like working with other people.”

Wells, who would only say that he is in his “mid-years,” has traveled widely and lived in New York and London. A Los Angeles native, he has been in San Diego for the last 13 years and now lives in Hillcrest.

Born into a musical family (his cousin, Richard Bonelli, was a baritone with the Metropolitan Opera), Wells began playing piano at age 7. He attended the Music Academy of the West in Santa Barbara and continued his musical education with private instructors in New York City and London.

“The piano has always been my first love,” Wells said.

In 1952 and 1954, he was on the faculty at San Diego State University, and in 1961 he joined the music department at UC Berkeley. Wells now coaches local singers and pianists.

Although Words and Music is getting a soloist with vast experience, Wells said, “The pleasure is all mine.”