Paul Bisaccia

One of the public television highlights of the recent Gershwin anniversary year was a charming half-hour special entitled "Gershwin by Bisaccia." In has been airing around the country on PBS stations, and has introduced millions of viewers to pianist Paul Bisaccia's highly entertaining and accessible style, and his rich anecdotal program commentary.

It is these qualities of accessibility and educational commentary delivered as beguiling entertainment that have made Paul Bisaccia a favorite with concert series presenters and their audiences in the Northeast. This agency is proud to have been selected to help make Paul available to series throughout the country, and excited to be able to offer him in characteristic programs such as "Waltzes Rare and Familiar," "Ragtime Lullabies," or perhaps his trademark "Rhapsody in Blue" all-Gershwin program: sure-fire audience pleasers all. These programs, and more, have been recorded on CD for Towerhill Recordings.

Paul Bisaccia has performed around the country and around the world, bringing to audiences his trademark blend of accessible programming and rich anecdotal commentary.

Mr. Bisaccia has made a particular specialty of the music of George Gershwin, although his repertoire and musical interests are wide ranging and include performances devoted to Chopin, Liszt, and Beethoven. He was the first artist to record the complete piano music of Gershwin, and his "Rhapsody in Blue" all-Gershwin program is a great favorite with presenters and audiences alike. His own PBS television special "Gershwin by Bisaccia" has been broadcast throughout the country on over 100 television stations from San Francisco to Washington D.C. and has also been sub-titled in the Mandarin Chinese language for broadcast in China and other parts of Asia. During the 1998 Gershwin centenary year his performances ranged from recitals for church concert series in various parts of the nation to all-Gershwin concerts as soloist with the Singapore Symphony Orchestra. He is also featured in the Ric Burns PBS television documentary "New York." Further public TV specials are scheduled for release during the second half of 2000.

Paul Bisaccia is one of the most entertaining pianists performing today. His playing contains an "infectious energy and unforced enthusiasm forming an invisible comforter that instantly wraps the room in warmth..." (Gottfried, Metroline). Recording star Michael Feinstein spoke eloquently of Paul Bisaccia's artistry by saying "How wonderful! It just proves that talent always prevails in these times of mediocrity."

Whatever the program, perhaps "Waltzes Rare and Familiar" or "Ragtime Lullabies", Mr. Bisaccia's audiences are always treated to an accessible program enriched by anecdotal spice. However, he is just as comfortable with the music of Liszt, Chopin, Debussy, Ravel, Mussorgsky, Beethoven and others. As one critic wrote, "Mr. Bisaccia has an international reputation as a classical musician, and he did justice to it, as well as to those two famous composers [Liszt, Beethoven]. Mr. Bisaccia provided a bonus: humorous and informative footnotes about the pieces played." (Hartford Courant)

Mr. Bisaccia made his European debut at age 17. He has returned to perform in Romania,, in Germany, to participate in the International Symposium on Musical Interpretation in Spain, and to perform throughout Switzerland and in Rome. He has also made several performance tours in South America and in Asia. Paul Bisaccia has been featured on National Public Radio, McGraw Hill's Young Artists Showcase, Robert J. Lurtsema's "Morning Pro Musica" on public radio and in showcase performance for the American Liszt Society. He will be featured on the program of the 2006 National Convention of the American Guild of Organists in Chicago.

Mr. Bisaccia is a protégé of renowned Brazilian pianist Luiz de Moura Castro and is a summa cum laude graduate of the Hartt School of Music where he ranked highest in his class and received the University of Hartford's Regents' Award. In 2003 he was awarded the school's prestigious "Alumnus of the Year Award," and to honor the occasion Connecticut Public Television re-broadcast his "Great American Piano" special and the Governor proclaimed "Paul Bisaccia Day" in the state.

Paul Bisaccia's "Ragtime Lullabies", "Rhapsody in Blue: Gershwin's Complete Solo Piano Music", "Mussorgsky-Brahms-Liszt by Bisaccia", "Chopin", and "Blue Danube" compact disk recordings have been released on the Vista and Towerhill labels.

Paul Bisaccia is a protégé of the renowned Brazilian pianist Luiz de Moura Castro and graduated first in his class and with highest honors from the Hartt School of Music. His European debut came at age 17 and he has performed widely in Europe and South America as well as in the United States. His expanding discography includes the first ever recording of Gershwin's complete piano music. As part of the Gershwin anniversary year celebrations, Paul Bisaccia performed as soloist with the Singapore Symphony Orchestra in an all-Gershwin program.

After hearing Paul perform, we think you will agree with our hometown newspaper, The Hartford Courant, that "George Gershwin would have joined the audience in the standing ovation."

"You are Stonehill's (and my) new hero! I've heard nothing but raves since the concert Tuesday night. Your playing was superb, the program unimpeachable, and your generous sharing of your encyclopedic knowledge of life in music enchanted the audience. It's not often, if ever, that our performers give 150 percent to a concert, but you did so, and we all knew it." [written to the artist] "Paul Bisaccia gave a world-class performance and endeared himself to every member of the audience. He is an outstanding musician and we will have our pennies
until we can have him back again." [written to the agency]
(Nan D. Mulford, Stonehill College, Easton, Massachusetts)

"An absolutely stunning performance.
Bisaccia will bring any audience to its feet again and again." (Bruce Nehring, El Paso, Texas, presenter)

On Television.....

"'Great American Piano' a Star-Spangles Show: Another sure-fire winner...Nothing on the program rivals in sheer excitement Bisaccia's incendiary account of Sousa's beloved 'Stars and Stripes Forever.' Every memory you ever had of this stirring march, everything distinctly American about American music, and every ounce of adrenalin that ever coursed through you at the first strains of its sparkling trio, lit up by the famous piccolo solo (it's hard to believe a single pianist can make it all work, but Bisaccia does) is packed into this performance. The ruffle of snare drums, the enticing smell of fried dough, the texture of fresh apples and cotton candy, the muggy heat of a July afternoon are all captured on the keyboard as Bisaccia brings to a close an all-too-brief glimpse of 'The Great American Piano.'" (Springfield Union News, MA)

"Bisaccia's performance of Gershwin couldn't be righter. It is all good fun and good music." (Edward Jablonski, eminent Gershwin scholar and biographer)