Joyful Noise Concert Series Opens With Thomas Pandolfi

Photo Courtesy of Lisa-Marie Mazzucco

First Congregational Church of Guilford hosts the first concert in the annual Joyful Noise series on Sunday, October 20 featuring world renowned pianist Thomas Pandolfi.

The young American pianist THOMAS PANDOLFI is an exciting virtuoso who, with each passing season, is becoming more and more sought after by audiences worldwide, and showered with superlatives by critics for his passionate artistry and amazing technique. His orchestral appearances often feature not only the belove masterpiece concerti by Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninov and Liszt, but also the equally brilliant ones by Paderewski, Rubinstein and Moszkowski. Additionally in the "Pops" genre, Thomas is considered a leading interpreter of the works of George Gershwin. Thomas' career has already included performances with such European orchestras as The George Enescu Philharmonic, The Cluj Philharmonic, The Oltenia Philharmonic (Craiova), The Moravian Philharmonic, The National Philharmonic of the Republic of Moldova, and The Aberystwyth Symphony in Wales, as well as the American symphony orchestras of Mississippi, Cedar Rapids, Asheville, Princeton, San Angelo, York, Fairfax, Northbrook, Great Falls, and Owensboro to name but a few. He has collaborated with such conductors as Dimitru Goia, Sabin Pautza, Emil Seigbert Maxim, Peter Schmelzer, Mihail Agafita, Grigori Moseico, David Russell Hulme, Murry Sidlin, Michael Luxner, Andreas Delfs, Christian Tiemeyer, Ron Spigelman, William Kushner, Nicholas Palmer, William Hudson, Kirk Muspratt, Kim Allen Kluge, Robert Hart Baker, Crafton Beck, Lawrence Rapchak,
Gordon Johnson, Philip Bauman, Anthony Maiello and Vincent Zito.

This is a return engagement for Mr. Pandolfi to the beautiful sanctuary of the First Congregational Church in Guilford.  The Sunday, October 20 concert is at 4pm.  Admission is free but free-will donations will be received to support the Myrtha Licht Music Fund.

Following a performance of MacDowell's D Minor Piano Concerto with The George Enescu Philharmonic, The Bucharest Cultural Observer lauded Pandolfi's "virtuosity, beautiful touch, sensitivity and broad scope...logica phrasing and expressive percussiveness...a soloist whom we would like to hear again." 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. The Washington Post has 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 comma and of phrasing, a quicksilver touch and cunning legerdemain when it comes to pedaling...etched with calm and crystal clarity...outstanding." New York Concert Review has characterized Pandolfi's interpretations as containing "high level pianism and tasteful, diversified musica ideas...crystalline texture and deft coloration... charm and bracing elan."

While the 2008-09 season marked Thomas' debut recitals in Canada, Germany and China, the 2009-10 season highlighted his debut in London, as well as return engagements throughout Eastern Europe, and concerts both a recitalist and soloist with orchestras across the United States. Pandolfi released his 6th CD album during the 2010-11 season, and returned to China in August of 2011 for his second tour of that country. Additionally, he made his recital debut in Toronto during the 2011-12 season, as well as stepped in on 48 hour notice to perform the Rachmaninov Second Piano Concerto for The Alexandria Symphony's closing concert of that season. Last season, he performed a highly successful and acclaimed 15 state recital tour across the United States. Audiences during 2013-14 will enjoy his artistry in New York, Maryland, Virginia, Massachusetts, Iowa, Connecticut, Montana, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Florida, Washington, DC, Illinois, Utah, and North Carolina. Thomas will also be making his debut with the Dubuque Symphony on Gala Opening Night in Gershwin's Concerto in F, and his debut with The National Philharmonic at The Strathmore Music Center in Richard Strauss' Burleske for Piano & Orchestra for their closing concert of the season. He will also be guest soloist with Symphonicity on their Gal Opening in Rodrigo's "Heroic" Piano Concerto, the St. Augustine Orchestra in the Grieg Piano Concerto, and the Wilson Symphony in the Grieg as well.

A graduate of The Juilliard School, Pandolfi earned both his Bachelor's and Master's degrees as a scholarship student.