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.
When Thomas Pandolfi made his orchestral debut at Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall in New York [playing the famous Gershwin Rhapsody in Blue], the late composer and conductor Morton Gould raved that “This was the greatest interpretation of the Rhapsody I have heard since Gershwin played it himself!” Mr. Pandolfi has since continued to impress both audiences and critics alike, not only for his dazzling and jazzy Gershwin renditions, but also for his passionate and brilliant performances of the romantic masterworks of the 19th century.
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.
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Gershwin An all Gershwin CD featuring Piano Concerto in F with The Moravian Philharmonic Orchestra under Conductor Peter Schmelzer. CD Price: $14.97  |
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Liszt An all Liszt CD featuring Concert Pianist Thomas Pandolfi performing Piano Concerto No. 1 in E-Flat Major with The Moravian Philharmonic Orchestra under conductor Peter Schmelzer. CD Price: $19.97 |
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Piano This CD has a little of everything for all music lovers. Includes Andrew Lloyd Webber's "All I Ask of You" (from "Phantom of The Opera"). CD Price: $14.97 |