Coastal Concerts to feature Pandolfi

                        Juilliard grad will warm winter night in Lewes
The youth and intensity of concert pianist Thomas Pandolfi are sure to dazzle the audience as Coastal Concerts’ season continues at 8 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 30, in Bethel United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall, Lewes. Professional praise of Pandolfi includes, “beautiful touch, sensitivity, and broad scope,” and “a soloist whom we would like to hear again.”

The evening begins with the formidable Franz Liszt “Dante Sonata,” Apres Une Lecture de Dante. In the late 1830s, Liszt was inspired to compose this work after a reading of Dante’s Divine Comedy. Pandolfi’s virtuosity and technical ability enable him to interpret Liszt’s key choices, which musically illustrate both the wailing of condemned souls and the joy of those in heaven. The Classical Voice of New England raved that Pandolfi’s performance of this piece was “spectacular and impressive … bringing the audience to its feet.”

Next on the program, Nocturne in D-flat Major for the Left Hand by the Russian composer, Alexander Scriabin will showcase Pandolfi’s expertise in interpreting very unusual harmonies and textures.

Three etudes of Frederic Chopin (Revolutionary, Aeolian Harp, and Sunshine), as well as his popular Polinaise in A-flat Major (“Heroic Polinaise”) will round out the first half of the program. The “Heroic”, written during a happy period in Chopin’s life, has been widely adapted into popular culture in movie themes (“Till the End of Time,” “Shine,” “Benjamin Button,” etc) as well as on television and by performance groups as diverse as the Doors and the Muppets.

Two compositions from Robert Schumann’s “song cycle” – one transcribed by Liszt – follow the intermission. Some in the audience will recognize Schumann’s use of a melody from Franz Schubert in one of these pieces.

Three other familiar compositions by Liszt (The Forgotten Waltz, Liebestraum no. 3, and Hungarian Rhapsody no. 12) are scheduled to conclude the evening’s program. All are skillfully interpreted for the audience by Pandolfi, of whom the Asheville Citizen-Times reviewer said, “… might have had some believing that Liszt himself had taken over the keyboard.”

All concert attendees are invited to enjoy refreshments at a post-concert greet the artist reception. Audience members are also encouraged to reserve tickets for Coastal Concerts’ Friday, Feb. 26, celebration of its 50th concert. Enjoy light fare and wine at The Inn at Canal Square in Lewes mingling with members of the Daedalus Quartet, highly praised by the Washington Post, New York Times, and The New Yorker, among others.

Coastal Concerts is a nonprofit organization promoting classical music appreciation in Southern Delaware. All concerts begin at 8 p.m. at the Bethel United Methodist Church hall, a handicapped-accessible venue, on the corner of West Fourth and Market streets.

Tickets for each Coastal Concerts program are $20, with discounted admission available for series purchases. Youth ages 10 to 18 are given free admission at the door for themselves and one accompanying adult. Series tickets can be purchased on line at coastalconcerts.org or by calling 888-212-6458. Individual tickets may be purchased at the door, or in advance at the Lewes Chamber of Commerce, Lewes Gourmet and PUZZLES on Front Street in downtown Lewes.

Article provided by www.capegazette.com

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2010-2011 Concerts
Saturdays at 8:00 p.m.

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Exhilarating, Inspiring, High energy
For Program and Notes, click here

Chatham Baroque

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Dazzling technique and artful interpretation, playing period instruments
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Harlem Quartet

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Stephen Hough

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One of the most important and distinctive pianists playing today
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David Russell

March 26, 2011
2005 Grammy Award winner returns to the Coastal Concerts stage
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Concerts performed at:

Bethel United Methodist Church Hall
Fourth & Market Streets
Lewes, DE 19958
(Wheelchair accessible)