Emile Pandolfi
Popular concert pianist Emile Pandolfi has impeccably perfected the art of performance in the key of glee. His audience appeal is legendary, his musicality and virtuosity as impressive as his repertoire and engaging humor - and his holiday concert is a home run.
“He plays in a manner that seems to go to the music’s very soul.” – Stereophile Magazine
“Pandolfi is better than Borge. Borge was a comedian first and pianist second. Pandolfi is first and foremost a musician, albeit a highly entertaining one.” – Encore Magazine
After completing his degree in classical piano performance, Emile Pandolfi found a uniform of white tie and tails a bit constricting. He enjoyed a jovial sense of humor, a knack for stand-up comedy and sleight of hand, and a longing for more direct communication with his audience than a full classical program seemed to invite. In L.A., he found himself adding music at improv clubs for fledgling comics including Jay Leno, Robin Williams & Jerry Seinfeld. He was selected as one of four pianists to record “Rhapsody in Blue” for the opening ceremonies of the 1984 Olympics and one  of 84 pianists playing live at the event. He began recording albums (now totaling two dozen) that have led him to concert touring nationwide and record-breaking sales in the genre. His rich performances blend familiar Broadway and romantic standards with classical favorites – Lloyd Webber with Debussy, Chopin with Kern. Through it all, there’s Pandolfi’s trademark humor, a gleam in the eye whose twinkle shines to the back row as he interjects unexpected tales and laugh-inducing morsels between numbers. He may do a card trick, he may bring out a guest comedian – who knows? It all gels into an evening that’s far from a piano “recital” – and a 10+ on an entertainment scale that usuallystops at 10. His festive holiday concerts set a mood second only to hearing a sleigh on the roof. You’ll quickly find Christmas with Emile Pandolfi is at the top of audiences’ wish lists.
 A Presenter’s Point of View: When presenters ask advice on the “safest” top quality bet for their series, there’s not a moment’s hesitation in my replying “Emile Pandolfi.” I’ve never seen an artist’s performance history so filled with repeat engagements – not just once or twice every few years – but up to six or seven repeat visits to single venues. Audiences devour Emile’s music. His fan base is well networked, so don’t be surprised at the distances folkstravel to hear him. Lobby CD sales set records, and you’ll personally look back on his performance as truly one of your most gratifying events in years. Some people you just can’t make mean. Emile Pandolfi makes your whole building feel good.
LIVE PERFORMANCE PREVIEW - click image to view |
“Pandolfi plays the familiar works with a passion unusual in a recording. Whatever his choices in music, he must have been closely attuned to Chopin...”
- North County Times |
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