Album Notes

Rhap-so-dy: 1) a miscellaneous collection 2) a musical composition of irregular form having an improvisatory character 3) a portion of an epic poem adapted for recitation 4) a highly emotional utterance.

Pianist, vocalist, arranger, and producer Charles B. Ancheta brings us some of his most requested music in this beautiful new collection. In this long-awaited and deeply personal recording, Charles shares his critically acclaimed renditions of piano classics such as George Gershwin's "Rhapsody and Blue" and Chopin's "Polonaise in A-flat". In addition, Charles performs new, heartfelt arrangements of Jim Brickman's "Valentine" and David Foster's "The Prayer" and "Grown-up Christmas List" with talented singers from television and Broadway, as well as orchestrated virtuoso piano performances of the "Phantom of the Opera Overture" and "Somewhere in Time".

Charles B. Ancheta has performed as a concert pianist, conductor, and vocalist throughout the United States, Canada, Italy, and Australia on such projects as The Man of La Mancha National Tour, West Side Story at Gateway Playhouse in New York, and numerous productions at the Historic Dock Street Theatre in Charleston, South Carolina where he was the Musical Director and Composer-in-residence.

Having worked with such artists as Jack Jones ("The Impossible Dream", Theme from "The Love Boat"), Ron Holgate (Tony Award Winner), Moses Braxton, Jr. (Showboat, Civil War), Marilyn Caskey (Phantom of the Opera), and Diana DiMarzio (Sweeney Todd), Charles is also an accomplished arranger and composer.

His composition, Circle of Love, was used as the theme for the documentary of the same title which aired on WHYY-Philadelphia television. Some of his arrangements have also been published by Cherry Lane Music.

Charles earned a Bachelor of Music Degree from the University of South Carolina with Honors from the South Carolina Honors College and a Master of Arts (Honours) Degree from the University of Western Sydney. During his time as a Rotary Scholar in Australia, Charles was named a Paul Harris Fellow -- the Rotary Foundation's most prestigious award.

www.myspace.com/charlesbanchetamusic