Kristof: News

As you've all undoubtedly noticed, Kristof has ramped up his live performance schedule this year, starting with the Just for the Sharing summer tour 2011. At least THREE more tours/series' are planned for the rest of 2011, and into 2012, each building on the scale and panache of the previous.

We have begun a journey in earnest toward a tour of trully thrilling Live Art Extravaganza's. We won't say right now exactly what is planned, but we are so excited, as these productions will include many beautiful artistic elements.

Stay tuned during the next several exciting seasons, as Kristof and the troops will have lot's of exciting news. Many opportunities are on the horizon for you to enjoy live music that celebrates life in a thrilling way!

On Saturday August 6, Kristof plays the pilot concert of his Home Concert Series Sharing With Friends 2011, coming this fall. All event will be held in private homes, where friends gather to enjoy an intimate salon style offering of Kristof's soothing, colorful and engaging piano solos.

If you would like to host an event in this limited salon concert series, please contact us before September, to assure an available date.

The past few weeks on the Just for the Sharing Summer Tour brought with them, as on any good journey, many unexpected events and stories worth telling. I have connected with some old friends, and there has been a new member born to another friend.

At The Epicurean, a table of high-school friends, and one very passionate equestrian fan, brought home the reason for this tour - the simple and pure beauty in communion over artistic sharing. A cancellation at Steel City morphed into a weeknight social with a friend I hadn't seen in 30 years, and a shortened show at The French Quarter led to another excuse to hang with old friends.

Back in the studio, I performed one-off personal recordings for a few new patrons and friends. I feel like I should do more of that. I think folks might like having one-of-a-kind recordings.

This feels like more of a friendship tour now, and that feels enriching - happy :)

New tour dates are available on our open-microphone tour of Southeast PA, focusing on the greater-Philadelphia area: Phoenixville, Royersford, King of Prussia, Ardmore, Newtown Square and Media, then a return to a favorite of the artist in Boyertown!

The next two weeks will contain some break-through new pieces, including some dedications, and of course more pure and easy sharing between folks.

A special new piece, New Beginnings, has been recorded and added to our streaming music, to celebrate a new family member in our community. Little Dani Distefano has just entered the world - congratulations to the proud parents, Danny and Tylee!

Kristof

Planning a tour of drop-in open microphone appearances brings with it some unpredictability; and now that we have some folks following along, we must of course be mindful of that.

We are working on a few things to help those who wish to come and share Kristof's music during the remainder of the Just for the Sharing summer tour 2011. 

Check in this weekend for new dates over the next few weeks. Also, notifications on on the way to those on our e-mailing list, and for those in our Facebook network. Stay tuned for instructions and/online links for staying tuned in. Thank you all for your patience.

Kristof Fancare

Hi gang! This is a busy week - four, maybe more, engagements - taking our intimate little show to a lot of new communities, and sharing with new groups. I, of course, am LOVING IT! just because I love the sharing - the more, the better!! :)

I might do a drop-in performance tonight at an un-scheduled local venue. Check in later to find out where and when.

Another quick note for those following the tour; I am keeping a little journal about each open-mike performance, just offering little tid-bits to continue the communion. Just go to the Calendar/Dates page, scroll down to "past performances" and you'll see comments about last-night's show.

As a performing artist I consider it primary to be relevant to my audience, and to relate to the people I know, here and now. It calms my Libran heart and mind when I connect with people in meaningful and positive ways.

Playing in the format of the free open microphone gives me opportunity to find the meaning that my community seeks, so I can better reflect it back to them, unencumbered. It really IS all about the sharing here, and that is what I revell in today.

Thank you all for sharing this summer's artistic journey with me :)

After a week at home with my visiting son, I am back at it on the live stage for a slew of new open mike engagements. I'm feeling really good about the venues coming up, and look forward to sharing a few new solo piano pieces, along with some recently premiered larger works. There will, of course, be some improvising and other whimsical music featured. Stay tuned!

The first week of our Just for the Sharing summer tour was everything we had hoped it would be - and more. It was was just incredible!!! The intimate settings, small audiences, the open and relaxed atmospheres - WOW :)

When I first brought up the idea of a tour consisting primarily of free public performances on week-nights, in unassuming venues, responses were mixed; but, my idea was to commune with folks taking time to relax during their every-day lives, with no pretense. In the mix like this, I feel privileged crossing paths with folks, and sharing tiny pieces of ourselves.

The music went well, old and new. Audiences were open and receptive. I met many talented local musicians, discovered fresh local musical sounds, and communed with many nice people, in the midst of our respective every-day lives. It was truly beautiful, and re-affirmed for me the wonder of living.

I had hoped to re-affirm my love for performing as a soloist; and already, I have done so much more. I have re-affirmed my personal love for life as an artist, and the beauty of sharing and celebrating life every day with others. It has had a profound effect on the way I play the music, and the stories my music tells.

Thank you to all who have shared, at the events, and those who are there following along online, offering your support freely and openly. I love you all :)

Kristof appeared tonight for a 30-minute extemporaneous solo piano show.

"What a nice start for the tour!! The crowd was great! I got to tell some stories, and play some older pieces of mine, improvised for a short while, and played a brand new piece, called 'Jennifer's Peach', after an inspiring home-movie of my wife at the Jersey shore as an eight-year-old."

Kristof also let his hair down (no hair, really) with the house band on some Country, Blues and Rock standards, including Neil Young, The Marshall Tucker Band, and Mott-the-Hoople :)

Keep an eye out for Kristof at open-mikes all over Southeastern PA - at least three shows per week, for the rest of the summer.

I have really given in to the urge to commune again as an artist on stage, but this time in a really big way - or, should I say, quite the opposite.

I have decided to do a free series of intimate coffee shop open mike appearances. My hope is that these small settings give me a chance to get up-close-and-personal with the people in my community - to touch people in the most meaningful, and memorable, ways.

Be on the look-out on the Kristof-music web site for notice of where and when I will be playing, and for followup sharing on the experiences. I will be trying out lot's of new pieces, and improvising even more. 

The tour promises to be a lot of fun, and should bring with it much unexpected nuance - the spice of life :)

After a year-long teaching and academic hiatus, Kristof is back to his mission of providing soothing piano music for people everywhere. "I am practicing a lot lately, to ready myself for live performances coming this summer, and am looking forward to it very much".

Several new pieces have been completed, including an offering inspired by the equestrian sports phenom, SECRETARIAT, and his legendary performances in the three races of the Triple Crown in 1973.

Look for live performances this summer to include dedications to the many equestrian greats Kristof visited at the Kentucky Horse Park this year while attending the Kentucky Derby and Oaks races.

Kristof has nearly finished composing and scoring the music for his next offering, Meditations, which is planned for release later this year. Like While Innocents Sleep, the offering will consist of soothing piano solos in the Classical Nouveau/New Age style. It will also include concert-length versions of music from While Innocents Sleep, Kristof's most recent offering.

"In a few weeks, I will begin testing various recording venues with my engineer, Sean Cole. One that I am particularly excited about is a large local chuch with a Steinway model D piano in it, rebuilt by master builder Willis Snyder. The pieces in Meditations are colorful, dynamic, and rich in textural content, as they are often composed with larger accoustic ensembles in mind; so, they are really quite demanding on the instrument (and me too - I've got a lot of practicing to do!). I am optomistic this Steinway will make the grade - and the church ambience has promise too."

Kristof's first offering of piano solo music, While Innocents Sleep, has been released today! Downloads are available at CDBaby, and will soon be available on other popular download sites, including, iTunes, Amazon.mp3, Rhapsody, and many others. Go to http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/Kristof today to download your copy.

These tuneful pieces will inspire instant repose amidst the din of your busy day. Their stories, spun in a modern classical style, carry you to fascinating places, then return you, rejuvenated.

Right now Kristof is planning his first musical offering, While Innocents Sleep. The two-piece single, is scheduled to hit the shelves in early 2010. The music is soothing for those moments we desperately need to unwind, and is also tuneful and dynamic. Each piece takes its listeners on a journey filled with an expansive array of visions and emotion-stirring musical discourse. Fans will be able to purchase CDs in environmentally friendly recycled packaging, or in download form. We are excited to be in a position to make this offering of beautiful and relevant music-art, and look forward to the sharing to come.