Bruce Leto, Jr. - Professional Pianist and Pedagogue

12/06/2024

Incredibly pleased to announce that my performance of Curt Cacioppo Musician / Curt Cacioppo's piano music (from "Drehleier Bluers" to "Vaya Con Dios!") has placed THIRD in the "Ernst Bacon Memorial Award" Division of The American Prize: celebrating American excellence in the arts Competition (out of 35+ finalists, and many many more original applicants).

PARMA Recordings did a magnificent job with the commercial release of this album!!

This was a "bucket list" goal for our musical, collaborative team this year - and we are so thankful for our loyal audience members, such as you all. Thank you again! :)

www.brucespianoworks.com

10/07/2024

Featured on https://fanfarearchive.com/'s highly selective "WANT LIST" (by esteemed music critic Jerry Dubins, who reviews hundreds of albums each year), Mood Poems. (released by PARMA Recordings) has been balloted for the first-round GRAMMY'S submission in the categories of "BEST CLASSICAL INSTRUMENTAL SOLO" and "BEST CONTEMPORARY CLASSICAL COMPOSITION."

Referred to as a "gem of an album," with Curt Cacioppo's marvelous contemporary (and beautiful, thematic & tonal compositions) appearing as "MUSIC OF THE WEEK" on Interlude (remarked as "beautiful...immediately capturing your ear..."), more can be made available for listen on Spotify or Apple Music, or on www.brucespianoworks.com.

Additionally, this album is in Finalist Contention via The American Prize: celebrating American excellence in the arts for the Earnst Bacon Memorial Award ("Best Instrumental Contemporary Classical Composition"), as well as having received recognition at the Global Music Awards 2024.

Take a listen! :) https://www.navonarecords.com/catalog/nv6626/

07/05/2024

College alumni (Class of 2014) & former roommates Bruce Leto, Jr. (pianist) & Kiran Rajamani (violinist) receive 1st Prize in the Advanced Chamber Music Division of the Area Music Association's San Francisco Innovative Music Competition, 2024!

Competition Piece: Beethoven's Spring Sonata, Mmt 1.

Performance Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1d2TnQd7EY

06/30/2024

I’m thrilled to announce that “Mood Poems” has won a Global Music Award Silver medal for Outstanding Acheivement! Proud to be acknowledged alongside many incredible musicians.

Global Music Awards is a well-known international music competition which celebrates independent musicians. It's

06/06/2024

Former classmates, and college roommates, Bruce Leto, Jr. (pianist) and Kiran Rajamani (violinist - pursuing a doctorate of music degree) collaborate on the 1st movement of Beethoven's Spring Sonata! Check it out:

05/14/2024

Make sure to check out my recent commercial release: "Mood Poems", May 2024 via PARMA Recordings!

Thus far, this album (released by PARMA & Navona Classical) has been featured via The American Prize: celebrating American excellence in the arts: **National FINALIST Recognition (Professional Division, Piano Solo). Appearances on WRUV, WCVE, Apple's "New In Classical" Selected Playlist. Reviewed by Jerry Dubins of Fanfare magazine:

"The recording at hand, which includes works by Poulenc, Ravel, and Sibelius, demonstrates that Leto possesses endowments not just of technique and tonal refinement, but also, and importantly, of the musical sensibility, sensitivity, and intuition that are the hallmarks of all great artists. Five stars: Twenty-nine minutes and twenty-nine reasons to buy this release. Wonderful!"

Additionally, works from this album have received prizewinner recognition via Sound Espressivo -Virtual Classical/Jazz music competitions, and WPTA - Italy "Best Performance of a Contemporary Work" - via Curt Cacioppo Musician's "Drehleier Blues."

More at:

MOOD POEMS is a carefully-curated selection of solo piano works performed by Bruce Leto exploring the vivid, colorful spectrum of human emotion.

04/15/2024

First LIVE Competition Victory since 2013 for Professional Pianist (& PARMA Recordings Artist) Bruce Leto, Jr...

Bruce Leto, Jr. was announced as a Prizewinner for the Sound Espressivo International Competition yesterday: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7XqS4BIAqE&t=1236s

His competition repertoire was Apparition and Julian's Song - both composed by Curt Cacioppo Musician (Curt Cacioppo), which will be featured in Bruce's upcoming album, released on May 4th by Navona Records. Album Page: https://www.navonarecords.com/catalog/nv6626/

12/24/2023

Happy Merry to you, and to your family, friends, and significant others!!

www.brucespianoworks.com

12/24/2023

Stream recently-released EP "Campane Nuziali e Balli" today for FREE! https://soundcloud.com/user-444975740

Or, you can check out on iTunes, Spotify, and/or Amazon Music!

Have a favorite track? Comment below!

www.brucespianoworks.com

12/24/2023

In June 2023, "Campane Nuziali e Balli - EP" was released independently, as a tribute/present for Bruce's wife - Lauren Angelini's - birthday.

This EP received recognition ("Outstanding Achievement") at the Global Music Awards in July 2023: https://www.globalmusicawards.com/Winners-July-2023.html

Music featured on this EP includes that of Ravel, Curt Cacioppo Musician, Schumann, and Sibelius! Available on Apple, Itunes, and/or Spotify! :)

Global Music Awards is a well-known international music competition which celebrates independent musicians. It's

12/24/2023

In the theme of wedding bells, dances, and spirituality - Bruce Leto, Jr. - Professional Pianist performed Ravel's "Valley of the Bells" at the Progressive Musician's Virtual Recital in May 2023 (shortly after his wedding).

This video recording (below) henceforth received 1st Prize at the Seattle International - Virtuoso Artists Festival Competition in 2023 (://www.facebook.com/p/Seattle-International-Piano-Festival-and-Competition-100064320746564/).

One year prior (2022), Bruce additionally placed 1st in the "Professional - Multi-Works" Category, as well, of SIPF! Link: https://www.seattlepianocompetition.org/nw-festivals/winners/virtuoso-artists-22/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PjVBqnx-fwk