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Paul Bisaccia
concert pianist
Paul Bisaccia is a charismatic performer whose highly accessible programs appeal to a wide audience. He's one of those rare recitalists who can be entertaining without compromising the music or his artistic standards. Paul's own public television special, which has aired all over the country, was recently dubbed in Mandarin Chinese for broadcast in China, and he was featured in the Ric Burns PBS television series "New York." He has also appeared on National Public Radio's "Performance Today," and his recordings have been aired by radio stations throughout North America and he is the most requested pianist on Beethoven.Com, "the world's classical radio station.". To his list of specialty recital offerings, Paul has just added "Stars & Stripes Forever! The Great American Piano."
When compliments come from a fellow performer, the praise is high indeed! Michael Feinstein, the celebrated cabaret and recording artist, recently wrote to Paul Bisaccia about Paul's new CD "Stars & Stripes Forever! The Great American Piano" (TH-71992), "It is imaginative, fun, well played!, and totally satisfying. The lineage that you present is thought-provoking and it all seamlessly fits together." Feinstein signed the note by calling himself "a devoted fan" of Paul Bisaccia.
"We were prepared to be dazzled, and we were!"
(Jacqueline Underwood, Crescendo Concert Series, MO, presenter)
"Paul Bisaccia is a serious concert artist with a compelling presence at the piano, but he's also an entertainer. A good-looking man with a mop of blond hair and a big happy smile, he has a store of amusing anecdotes about composers."
(Connecticut Life)
"Where Paul Bisaccia goes, fun follows. It might seem s though fun and classical music are contradictory, but not to this concert pianist. He has built an international reputation for combining both." (The Barrie Examiner, Ontario)
"A magical evening which just got better and better
...completely passionate in his performance." (The Barrie Examiner, Ontario)
"Paul Bisaccia was charming. His playing soared and his audience soared with him."
(Bruce Owen, Colours of Music Festival, Ontario, presenter)
"PIANIST INJECTS FUN INTO PERFORMANCES.... Bisaccia spices his performances with anecdotal material about the compositions he plays. 'I try to tell interesting stories about the music...I really work hard to make sure the programs make sense to people.' An upbeat personality...Mr. Bisaccia enjoys the music he plays so much, he can't help but be happy." (Kent Kimes, The Augusta Chronicle, Georgia)
"A dazzling and compelling recital...sensitive, stylish and altogether suave accounts of Gershwin...Chopin (was) elegantly and soulfully rendered...the audience immediately and enthusiastically rose to its feet."
(Worcester Telegram and Gazette, Massachusetts)
"The (Liszt) concerto is a wonderfully brilliant, sparkling work which Bisaccia performed with evident delight. His expression had texture, excitement, and fluidity of tone as he coaxed luscious melodies from the piano. With effortless grace, he flowed from a romantic, reflective mood into some darker patterns, always maintaining the sweeping elegance of the work, never letting his own virtuosity detract from the tonal poem effects...Bisaccia proved himself equally engaging in the second half of the program." (New Britain Herald, Connecticut)
"Having seen Paul perform on Public Television, I knew it would be a terrific program. Hearing and seeing him perform in person, however, went even beyond my wildest expectation. Paul has an ability to shape phrases, exhibiting a full range of dynamics, and yet play with a great clarity of style....He is one of the few musicians whom I know who has the ability to understand and communicate the jazz and blues influences of Gershwin and still be absolutely honest to the more traditional classical literature....The final thing, beyond the music, that made this concert so special for our capacity audience was his down-to-earth character, exhibited in his comments before each section of the program. That same warmth was projected in the reception which followed. Paul provided a stunning opener and the instant standing ovations was well deserved. We will certainly plan a return engagement."
(Charles E. Page, First Church of Christ, Springfield, Massachusetts)
"Bisaccia's final descent in the (Chopin) 'Minute Waltz' revealed a perfumed plane of unearthly loveliness in its sudden hushed, pastel whisper, played with unexpected individuality and instantly arresting in its instinct....exhibited a natural gift for entertaining the audience verbally as well, with infectious excitement."
(Union-News, Springfield, Massachusetts)
"Thank you so much for bringing the wonderful pianist Paul Bisaccia to our attention. We were so pleased to have him as part of our Performing Arts series. He was well received by our patrons, and his Gershwin interpretations were beautifully performed. It was a true joy to have such a talented performer at
the Self Family Arts Center." (Kathleen P. Bateson, President, The Self Family Arts Center, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina)
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"A marvelous pianist who also enjoys being a showman."
(Tribune-Review, Pittsburgh)
"Where Paul Bisaccia goes, fun follows."
(The Barrie Examiner, Ontario)
"A marvelous pianist who also enjoys being a showman....On all of (the pieces) Bisaccia played with precision and taste."
(Tribune-Review, Pittsburgh)
"Delightful! His style of presentation was warm, informative, and engaging. His playing was astounding....We will surely have him return."
(Melvin Rookus, Nardin Park United Methodist Church, Farmington Hills, MI)
"For Gershwin interpretations, Bisaccia wins hands down."
(American Record Guide)
"Outstanding! His rapport with the audience was engaging, insightful, and entertaining and his playing was mesmerizing." (Donita Aruny, Shoreline Arts Alliance, Guilford CT)
"What a wonderful program Paul gave yesterday! It was very well received by the audience and he and I talked about a return visit next year."
(Carl Gilmer, First Congregational Church, Hendersonville, North Carolina)
"Numerous standing ovations...utterly breathtaking from beginning to end!...the audience was completely spellbound."
(Victor Fields, Trinity United Church of Christ, York, Pennsylvania)
"Paul Bisaccia's 'American in Paris' program brought the audience to their feet. It wasn't one of those 'OK - the person next to me is going to stand up; guess I'd better get up too' kind of ovations, but the genuine, spontaneous, cheers-erupting-out-of-sheer-joy type." (Ellen Tryba Chen, Artistic Chair,
Steinway Society, San Jose CA)
''Paul Bisaccia remains a favorite of our concert audience. His presentation of 'The Great American Piano' was outstanding--technically accurate, and extremely entertaining. We hope to have him back again." (David Adkins, First United Methodist Church, Boulder CO, presenter)
"Absolutely fabulous! We really enjoyed every minute." (Jeffrey Seekins, First Presbyterian Church, Lockport NY, presenter)
"Truly wonderful, and incredibly well-received by our audience. His playing was exciting and communicative, and his commentary illuminating and engaging."
(Don H. Horisberger, Lake Forest IL, presenter)
"Paul Bisaccia's concert was Wonderful! Marvelous! And very well attended. I grew up playing piano, I've attended hundreds of recitals, I've heard Gershwin hundreds of times, but I've never heard Gershwin played like that! So light and airy; the music just seemed to drop off his fingertips! Needless to way, we all--the concerts committee, the church council, and the entire congregation--were very pleased."
(Kathleen Wagner, Ascension Lutheran Church, Boynton Beach, Florida, presenter)
"Paul's remarks reflect an infectious energy and unforced enthusiasm forming an invisible comforter that instantly wraps the room in warmth...No wall here between audience and performer....Paul weaves together each piece in his program by relating historical and hysterical anecdotes about the composers and their work. Idle showbiz chatter? Hardly. Bisaccia's well-chosen tales are magnets attaching the audience to the music...After the performance, Bisaccia greets his admirers with expressions of gratitude and cheerfully autographs posters for an assortment of budding artists...No rushing. No trace of airs...The personal connection continues long after the music fades."
(Eric Gottfried, Metroline, Hartford, CT)
"Who needs Horowitz when we have Paul Bisaccia?!"
(Northern Light, North Conway, NH)
"Paul Bisaccia's concert was incredible! It was a good thing the piano keys were 'fire proof' because he provided a pianistic pyrotechnic display which has members of our audience still raving weeks afterward. We can't wait for the opportunity to invite him back. His repertoire was appealing and his playing was flawless. Thank you for providing us with a fabulous concert." (Keith Shafer, St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Augusta, Georgia)
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