Our Musicians
Karl Tricomi, Organist of Mater
Ecclesiae Roman Catholic Church, was born in Philadelphia and
raised in Cherry Hill, NJ. He attended Bishop Eustace
Preparatory School, during which time he served as Organist of
Queen of Heaven Parish in Erlton, NJ, and as accompanist to
professional singers in Southern NJ and Philadelphia. He was
later apointed Organist of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church in
Camden, NJ, where he also served as Assistant Choirmaster and
wrote several Masses for their parish choir.
Upon
graduation from Bishop Eustace he entered the Eastman School
of Music as a scholarship student in piano, organ, and
composition. While at Eastman he served as staff accompanist
for their voice faculty, and for numerous solo
instrumentalists and chamber music performers.
After
graduating Eastman, Karl entered the Juilliard School for
graduate studies in piano and composition. He performed
extensively at colleges and universities while in the New York
area, and served as accompanist for students of the legendary
clarinet teacher, Leon Russianoff. After graduating Juilliard,
Karl gave his debut piano recital in New York's Carnegie
Recital Hall. This was followed by subsequent performances at
Carnegie, and as guest artist on several New York radio
broadcasts.
Since that time, Karl's career has
continued unabated in the fields of performance, composition,
and as church musician. He has served as Organist/Choirmaster
of several historic Philadelphia congregations, including St.
Paul's Episcopal in Chester, Pa. and St. James'(Old Swedes'
Church) in Philadelphia. From 1984-87 he attended Temple
University for doctoral studies in composition and choral
conducting, with related courses in conducting and RSCM
principles of boys' choir direction taken at Westminster Choir
College, Princeton, NJ.
Organ recitals have taken Karl
to major cities on the East Coast. He performed several
festival recitals in Boston, MA. for the Swedenborgian Church,
which also commissioned him to write his first Organ Sonata.
In the Philadelphia area he has played solo recitals in the
concert halls of Longwood Gardens, Irvine Auditorium, and the
Philadelphia Musical Academy. His appearances as church
recitalist include Grace Episcopal Church in Haddonfield, and
the First Presbyterian Church in Germantown.
As a
composer, he has written hundreds of works for piano,
orchestra, chamber music ensembles, and voice. His works have
been performed as part of New York’s' 92nd St. "Y" Concert
Series, over WQXR and WNBC Radio, Catholic University,
Washington D.C., and as part of Columbia Artists' Community
Concerts Series. Among his more interesting premieres are a
Pavane and Gaillard for Hammered Dulcimer, first performed at
Westminster Choir College, and an operetta for children
presented on CBS-TV, Christmas Day, and subsequently at
Off-Broadway theatres in New York.
Karl currently
teaches piano, theory and composition at the Haddonfield
School of Performing Arts where he is frequently heard as
soloist and chamber musician in performances of his own as
well as others' music. In 1995 he performed Rachmaninoff's
Second Piano Concerto with the HSPA Orchestra, and in 1997,
Beethoven's Fourth Concerto. His students have received
numerous awards and distinctions on local and state levels,
and have been scholarship or grant recipients at a number of
major universities including Princeton, Chicago and New York
Universities. He has been active on the Executive Committee
and as Educational Chairman of the American Guild of
Organists' SW Jersey Chapter. He also serves as President of
the South Jersey Music Teachers' Association and performs from
time to time as jazz pianist.
PRESS:
"The accompaniment, played by Karl Tricomi,
a graduate of the Juilliard School, was superb."
---Long
Island Times
"The Liszt B Minor Sonata
displayed the fleetness of his fingers, dramatic intensity,
and beautiful cantabile playing."
---Standard Star (New
Rochelle)
"The tour-de-force of the evening was
the 'Episodes for Two Pianos' by Karl Tricomi, a young man
from whom we hope to hear much more."
---The Vineland
Times Journal
"There is no denying Karl
Tricomi's potential as a concert artist." "There was always
something to admire in his performances...." "Karl Tricomi is
a dynamic young pianist; he played expertly, aggressively, and
with a wide range of dynamics.
---New York
Times
Further information may be obtained at http://www.karltricomi.com/ |
