American pianist Thomas Pandolfi is
emerging as a prodigious virtuoso who excels in reviving the
core repertoire from the golden age of pianism. Praised for his
interesting and innovative programming, his recitals regularly
include works by Busoni, Godowsky, Dohnanyi and Chasins, and his
orchestral appearances often feature concerti by Paderewski,
MacDowell, Moszkowski and Anton Rubinstein.
The young pianist's career has already included performances
with such European orchestras as The George Enescu Philharmonic,
The Moravian Philharmonic, and The National Philharmonic of the
Republic of Moldova, as well as the American symphony orchestras
of Mississippi, Cedar Rapids, Asheville, Princeton, and San
Angelo, to name but a few. He has collaborated with such
conductors as Dimitru Goia, Peter Schmelzer, Mihail Agafita, Andreas
Delfs, Christian Tiemeyer, Ron Spigelman, William Kushner,
Nicholas Palmer and Robert Hart Baker. Following a performance
of Liszt's Piano Concerto No. 2 with the Asheville Symphony, The
Asheville Citizen-Times remarked, "Pandolfi is a standout among
today's young pianists, demonstrating a great technician's
grace, finesse and polish...his virtuosity and strength might
have had some believing that Liszt himself had taken over the
keyboard." Equally popular as a recitalist, Pandolfi has
appeared in concert halls nationwide. After a recent recital,
The Washington Post described him as "an artist who is master of
both the grand gesture and the sensual line. Pandolfi possesses
first-rate technical skills, an unerring command of phrasing, a
quicksilver touch and cunning legerdemain when it comes to
pedaling...etched with calm and crystal clartiy...outstanding."
New York Concert Review has characterized Pandolfi's
interpretations as containing "high level pianism and tasteful,
diversified musical ideas...crystalline texture and deft
coloration... charm and bracing elan."
During the 2006-07 season, Pandolfi appeared with The York
Symphony on Gala Opening Night in Beethoven's Piano Concerto No.
4., and at a special New Year's Eve concert with The New
Philharmonic under Maestro Kirk Muspratt featuring Gershwin's
Rhapsody in Blue. In March, Pandolfi closed the Altoona
Symphony's season with the Brahms Piano Concerto No. 1. This
season also marked his debut with The National Philharmonic of
the Republic of Moldova under Maestro Mihail Agafita. In May, Thomas
returned to Europe, to record Paderewski's Piano Concerto in A
Minor, Op. 17 and Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue with The Moravian
Philharmonic Orchestra. As a recitalist, he appeared this
season in Florida, Connecticut, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and
California. Highlights of the 2007-08 Season will include
MacDowell's D Minor Concerto with The George Enescu Philharmonic
in Bucharest & Gershwin's Concerto in F with the National
Philharmonic of the Republic of Moldova in immediate return
engagements. In October of '08, Pandolfi will perform
Rachmaninov's Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini with Symphonicity,
"The Symphony Orchestra of Virginia Beach" in the brand new
Sandler Center for the Performing Arts at Town Center in
downtown Virginia Beach on Gala Opening Night.
A graduate of The Juilliard School, Pandolfi earned both his
Bachelor's and Master's degrees as a scholarship student.
In addition to his duties as accompanist for
National Men's Chorus, Mr. Pandolfi is the accompanist for
New Dominion Chorale, a chorus of over 200 men's and women's
voices based in Virginia and under the direction of Thomas
Beveridge.
3/08
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