Carlos César Rodríguez, Pianist

"The Latin American Liszt"

"Rodriguez gave a performance notable for brilliance, subtlety, a fine control of keyboard colorations and overwhelming muscular power."
--The Washington Post, l997

"Two works by Granados...were simply stunning in their execution."
--The Washington Post, l996

Carlos César Rodríguez made his debut with orchestra in his native Venezuela at age eleven and performed his New York City solo debut recital in the Weill Recital Hall of Carnegie Hall at age 21. He has performed as soloist and chamber musician throughout the United States, in Europe, in Central America, and in South America. "A performer who throws body and soul into his work, Carlos César Rodríguez is as compelling to watch as he is to hear," said the Washington Post, "....A dynamo ... capable of creating and sustaining lyrical phrase and translucent colors ... [his performances] were simply stunning in their execution ... [displaying] impressive technique ... with a refreshing abandon."

After completing his Bachelor's Degree in Piano at the North Carolina School of the Arts with Clifton Matthews, Rodríguez earned a Master's Degree in Music from the Juilliard School under Joseph Kalichstein. He has studied privately in London, England with Peter Feutchwanger and attended master classes at the Mozarteum in Saltzburg, Austria. He is currently completing his Doctor of Musical Arts Degree at the University of Maryland, College Park with Thomas Schumacher. Mr. Rodríguez's improvisations dazzle audiences with their brilliance, creativity, and fun.

In a recent performance at the residence of the Venezuelan Ambassador, the audience was riveted by two of his encores, improvisations dedicated to His Excellency the Ambassador, and the Cultural Attaché. Of another concert, a Winston-Salem reviewer wrote, "The crown of the evening was Mozart's Piano Concerto in E-Flat with Carlos Rodríguez as soloist ... Rodríguez played the pants off the piece ... employing an elegant, yet quasi-flamboyant style."

Honors earned by Mr. Rodríguez include the following: Finalist in the New York Philharmonic Young People's Competition in 1983; Winner of the 1991 Artists International Competition in New York; Winner of the 1992 Pro-Mozart Society Auditions in Atlanta, Georgia; and First Place in the State and Eastern Divisions of the Music Teachers National Association's national competition. Mr. Rodríguez has been awarded the special privilege of playing on the early period instruments at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, DC with James Weaver. This opportunity has given Mr. Rodríguez the freedom to explore the baroque and classical composers on the instruments of their time. Public appearances by the artist include television and radio recitals and interviews.

He has appeared recently with the North Carolina Symphony, the Fairfax Symphony Orchestra, and in recitals sponsored by the Inter-American Development Bank and the Corcoran Gallery of Art in Washington, DC; and in San Juan, Puerto Rico and New York City in the American Landmark Series. Mr. Rodríguez was a featured performer at the spectacular outdoor 150th "birthday" celebration of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC. A member of the piano faculty at the Levine School of Music in Washington, DC, Mr. Rodríguez records on the Brioso label.

The Spanish Ambassador is honoring Carlos at a party at his Residence on January 22, 1999.
This evening is being co-sponsored by the
Venezuelan Ambassador which includes dinner and a recital by Carlos.

Checkout Carlos's latest CD release on the Brioso label,
Espana en el corazon (Portrait of Spain) (including sound bites)

Read a recent Washington Post review

Press Photo

For additional information, bookings, interviews and photographs, contact
Barbara B. Serage, 703-941-3445, BSerage451@aol.com

If you would like to leave a message with Carlos, send E-mail to him c/o
Unidentified Flying Opera Company carlos@ufoco.org

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