This preview has been provided by the Clayton Piano Festival.
Building on the success of his first season performance, critically-acclaimed pianist Angelo Rondello returns to season two of the Clayton Piano Festival in a program entitled, “Dreams and Nightmares.” Mr. Rondello will be the second pianist to perform at CPF in a series of three evening recitals at The Clayton Center Performing Arts Auditorium. On Monday, February 11 at 7:30 p.m., he will conjure strong emotions as he takes listeners from a point of innocence to the horrific, from Schumann’s simple and nostalgic Kinderszenen to Ravel’s macabre depictions in Gaspard de la nuit!”
Mr. Rondello balances his time as a concert pianist and musician with a deep involvement in his local community as a teacher, educational advocate, writer, and creator of opportunities for young musicians.
Clayton Piano Festival was founded by pianist and Clayton, NC native Jonathan Levin in 2012. It will open its second season on Feb. 7 and run through Feb. 15 with a series of recitals, lectures and master class designed to bring great music to people of all ages.
“I felt an obligation as a classical musician not only to create opportunities for myself but to present what we do in a unique and appealing way to diverse audiences,” said Levin, who was a top prize winner at the recent Los Angeles International Liszt Competition.
The events will take place at the Clayton Center Performing Arts Auditorium and the historic Wagner House in downtown Clayton, fifteen minutes from the Triangle.
Levin said that the Festival programs are meant to be both informative and informal. “The idea is not just to put on great concerts but to engage the audience in a personal, relaxed and meaningful way,” he said.
Admission to most programs is $12 adults, $8 students and seniors, and children eight and under are free. Tickets can be purchased at the door or online through etix at http://www.etix.com/ticket/online/venueSearch.jsp?venue_id=1959&cobrand=theclaytoncenter
For more information and detailed descriptions of programs and venues, call (919) 606-9703 or email: claytonpianofestival@gmail.com
About the Artist
In 2009, Angelo Rondello performed at Philamlife Auditorium in Manila with conductor Aries Caces in Beethoven’s “Emperor” Concerto. He has taught throughout the Philippines and performed to great critical acclaim. His performances have been described as, “fascinating, enthralling, magnetic,” and he has been described as “a virtuoso matching…tremendous, overwhelming complexities…with fiery passion” (The Philippine Star). His first CD, released in 2011, was praised by American Record Guide as “wonderfully effective and makes Rondello one of the leading exponents of Schumann’s [Symphonic Etudes].”
