Robert Bonfiglio Interview
Called "the Paganini of the Harmonica" by The Los Angeles Times, Robert Bonfiglio has performed classical chromatic harmonica to audiences around the world, including Carnegie Hall, the Hollywood Bowl, the Gewandhaus, Teatro Colón, Teatro Massimo, Teatro Amazonas, Kennedy Center, Boston Symphony Hall and Lincoln Center. Robert has appeared on “CBS Sunday Morning,” “CBS Morning Show,” “Live with Regis and Kathy Lee,” “Larry King,” "The Jim Bohannon Show" and Garrison Keillor’s “American Radio Show.” He has had feature stories and reviews in the New York Times, the Boston Globe, the Los Angeles Times, the Washington Post and the Chicago Tribune.
Robert Bonfiglio has appeared as a soloist with Skitch Henderson and the New York Pops at Carnegie Hall, John Williams and the Boston Pops on PBS, John Mauceri and the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, with Fabio Luisi and the MDR Orchestra at the Leipzig Gewandhaus and Theo Alcantara and the Buenos Aires Philharmonic at the Teatro Colón. His first RCA recording, with Gerard Schwarz and the New York Chamber Orchestra, featuring the Villa-Lobos Harmonica Concerto, was released to critical acclaim; he has performed this Concerto over 350 times with major orchestras worldwide. Bonfiglio has recorded on the RCA, Arista, CBS, Sina Qua Non, High Harmony, and QVC Labels. He performed on the Grammy winning recording, "Ragitme."
Robert Bonfiglio got his Masters degree in composition from Manhattan School of Music. He studied harmonica with Cham-ber Huang and was coached for 12 years by Andrew Lolya, the first flute of the New York City Ballet, during which time he studied the major works for harmonica and orchestra. Robert studied composition with Charles Wuorinen and Aaron Copland.
Robert is currently playing contemporary music as well with American Composer, Paul Moravec, who just won the Pulitzer Prize for Composition, writing an American Harmonica Concerto for him. Lowell Liebermann is also writing a Harmonica Concerto to premiere in with the Minnesota Orchestra.
This interview was conducted in Saint Louis, Missouri in August of 2013. To learn more about Robert visit: http://www.robertbonfiglio.com
Videos Include:
Robert Bonfiglio’s Early Years
Robert’s thoughts on the Importance of Music Theory
Robert on Why Diatonic Players Should Also Know How to Play Chromatic
Robert on Lessons from Non-Harmonica Teachers
Robert on Embouchure and Articulation: Pucker
Robert on Embouchure and Articulation: Tongue Block
Robert on Tremolo, Vibrato and Hand Usage
Robert on Dynamics and More on Articulation
Robert on Practicing
Robert’s Choice of Harmonicas and Maintenance
Robert’s Choice of Mic and Closing
