Pianist

Cornel Oprea

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About Cornel

Cornel is a professional, five star hotel pianist who has performed for the likes of Sir Elton John, Nicole Kidman and the Versace family
Pianist
Southampton
Public liability insurance of £10 million
Verified profile

He has recently collaborated with the amazing VANESSA WILLIAMS - Hollywood actress & Grammy Award-winning singer & former Miss America - accompanying her singing for the "2017 Special Olympics" event! He has played professionally at venues as eminent as Caffé Florian - the oldest Caffé in Europe opened in 1720, Saint Mark's Square, Venice, where he was house pianist for three years, Gran Caffe Chioggia and Gran Caffe Quadri, in Venice. He has also played on the legendary train The Orient Express Venice-Simplon, travelling Europe, as well as Hotel Danieli, Venice, Cipriani Hotel, Gritti Palace and many more. He played in London at The Savoy, Claridge's, the Hilton Park Lane, the Renaissance Chancery Court Hotel, Le Merridien Piccadilly, and many more. His work has taken him to Vienna, Paris, Rome, Basel, Istanbul, Rio de Janeiro, etc. and he played for guests as eminent as : Sir Elton John, Nicole Kidman, Martin Scorsese, Pierce Brosnan , Al Bano, Nick Nolte , Oasis Band, Roman Abramovich, Quincy Jones , Akon, Nick Rhodes(Duran Duran) , Prince Albert of Monaco, Princess Al-Sabah of Kuwait, Jacques Chirac, and many others. His band was also hired by the Versace family to play at a wedding and Cornel has also played at Saudi businessman billionaire Sheikh Walid Juffali's wedding in Venice. • Bollywood Pianist | Charts | Top 40 | Jazz Pianist | R'n'B, Pop, Rock Pianist. • Classical Pianist, Film, Musicals

Encore badges
Lightning fast responses
Average response time under 2 hours
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Booked for an Encore gig with less than 24 hours’ notice
Member of the Encore community forum
7th Anniversary
This act has been working with Encore for over 7 years
50 gigs
Veteran: 50 bookings through Encore
Musicianship
Genres:
Pop, Christmas, Traditional church music, Classical, Classical crossover, Film / TV music, Musical theatre, Opera, 1920s era music, 1930s era music, 1940s era music, 1950s era music, 1960s era music, 1970s era music, 1980s era music, 1990s era music, Jazz, Blues, Cabaret, Dixieland, Gypsy jazz, Jazz fusion, Latin jazz, Modern jazz, Postmodern jukebox jazz, Ragtime, Swing, Barbershop, Gospel, Avant garde, Easy listening, Experimental, Light music, Marching, Noise music, Originals, Acoustic, Ambient pop, Americana, Covers, Disco, Funk, Funk rock, Hip Hop, Karaoke, Motown, R&B, Soul, Top 40, Tribute, Vintage, Rock, Alternative rock, Britpop, Classic rock, Glam rock, Hard rock, Hardcore, Heavy metal, Indie, Pop rock, Post rock, Power rock, Progressive rock, Punk rock, Rock 'n' Roll, Synth rock, World music, African music, Afrobeat, Arabic, Argentinian, Armenian, Asian music, Australian music, Balkan, Bavarian oompah, Bollywood, Bossa nova, Brazilian music, Calypso, Caribbean music, Choro, Cuban music, Cumbia, Flamenco, French music, German music, Greek music, Hawaiian music, Indian music, Italian music, Jewish music, Klezmer, Latin, Mariachi, Merengue, Polish music, Polka, Polynesian music, Reggae, Russian music, Salsa, Samba, Scottish music, Ska, Skiffle, Spanish music, Tango, Contemporary Christian, Military, Baroque, Contemporary classical, Early music, Medieval music, Renaissance, Electronic, Ambient, Drum 'n' Bass, EDM, Electro-Swing, Electronica, Garage, House, Ibiza club, Jungle, Techno, Country, Traditional English folk, Traditional Irish folk, Traditional Scottish folk, Welsh folk, Bhangra, Gujarati music, Hebrew songs, Pakistani music, Punjabi music, South Asian fusion, South Asian music
See all genres
Instruments:
See all instruments
Event types:
Wedding, Wedding proposal, Funeral / Memorial service, Church service, Hotel / Restaurant event, Bar / Club / Venue event, Private event, Corporate event, Charity event, Concert, Recording session, Theatre / Show, Cruise, Burns night, Birthday party, Christmas party, New Year's Eve
See all event types
Other skills:
Composer, Songwriter, Transcription, Fluent sight-reader, Repetiteur, Instrumental teaching, Theory teaching, Fluent improviser, Live looping, Perfect pitch, Accompanist
See all skills

Cornel's Song list

Pop Modern/Classics
Get lucky - Pharrell
Happy - Pharrell
Valerie - Amy Winehouse
Rehab - Amy Winehouse
Treasure - Bruno Mars
Use somebody - Kings of Leon
Everything - Michael Buble
Billie Jean - Michael Jackson
Time of my life - Dirty Dancing
Hungry Eyes - Eric Carmen
A thousand years - Christina Perri (Twilight Soundtrack)
Thinking out loud - Ed Sheeran
All of me - John Legend
Kissing you - Desree
Romantic Wedding March - Miranda Wong
At last - Etta James
Greatest day - Take That
Just the way you are - Bruno Mars
Chasing cars - Snow Patrol
Sex on fire - Kings of Leon
Amazed - Lonestar
Sweet child o'mine - Guns'n'Roses
Basket case - Green Day
Mr.Brightside - The Killers
One day like this - Elbow
Have I told you lately - Van Morrison
Unchained Melody - North
A Whiter Shade of Pale - Reid/ Brooker
That's What Friends Are For - Bacharach
Arthur's Theme - Bacharach
Imagine -Beatles
Yesterday -Beatles
Hey Jude -Beatles
Let it be -Beatles
Just The Way You Are- Billy Joel
Honesty -Billy Joel
Hello - Lionel Richie
You're not alone - Michael Jackson
Heal The World -Michael Jackson
Song For Guy -Elton John
Your Song -Elton John
Can you feel the love tonight -Elton John
Love Me Tender - Elvis Presley
Can't help falling in love with you - Elvis Presley
You're The Sunshine Of My Life - Stevie Wonder
I Just Called To Say I Love You - Stevie Wonder
Isn't She Lovely - Stevie Wonder
Careless Whisper - George Michael
All at once - Whitney Houston
The greatest love of all - Whitney Houston
Didn't we almost have it all - Whitney Houston
It must be love - Madness
Chasing cars - Snow Patrol
Marry you- Bruno Mars
How long will I love you - Ellie Goulding
Wonderwall - Oasis
Magic - Coldplay
Yellow - Coldplay
Ordinary people - John Legend
Don't wanna miss a thing - Aerosmith
With or without you - U2
If I ain't got you - Alicia Keys
Butterfly Waltz- Twilight Saga
Kiss me - Ed Sheeran
Classical/Show & Movie/TV tunes
Fantaisie Improntu – Chopin
Nessun Dorma - Puccini
Carmen (Habanera) - Bizet
Pachelbel - Canon
Moonlight Sonata - BeethovenBella's Lullaby - Twilight
All I Ask of You - Phantom of the Opera
As time goes by - Casablanca
Can't Help Falling in Love with You - Elvis
Chariots of Fire
Don't Cry For Me Argentina
Eddleweiss
Endless Love
Evergreen - A Star is Born
Gabriel's Oboe - The Mission
Glasgow Love Theme - Love Actually
Hallelujah - Shrek / Cohen
I Dreamt a Dream - Miserable
James Bond Theme - Skyfall - Adele
Lara's Theme - Doctor Zivago
Let It Go - Frozen
Limelight
Love is all Around - 4 Weddings and a Funeral
Love said Goodbye - The Godfather
Love Story
Love Theme - Romeo and Juiliet
Love Theme 'Speak softly love' - The Godfather
Maria – West Side Story
Memory - Cats
Moon River – Breakfast at Tiffany
My Heart will Go On - Titanic
New York New York
Once upon a time in West
Pink Panther The
Schindler's List Theme
Somewhere - West Side Story
Somewhere Over The Rainbow
Strangers in the Night
The Music of the Night - Phantom of the Opera
The Rose
The Sound of Music
Tonight– West Side Story
Unchained Melody - Ghost
Unforgettable - Nat King Cole
Walking in the Air - Snowman
When a Man Loves a Woman
When You Say Nothing at All - Notting Hill
Jazz Standards
Summertime
They Can’t Take That Away From Me
A Foggy Day
All of me
Angel eyes
Around The World
Don’t get around much any more
All the things you are
A Nightingale Sang In Berkeley Square
It Had To Be You
Blue Moon
Besame mucho
Body & Soul
Corcovado
Come Fly With Me
Cry Me A River
Can’t help lovin’ dat man
Dream a little dream of me
Every Time We Say Goodbye
Everbody loves somebody
Fly Me To The Moon
Georgia on my mind
Hello Dolly
How high the moon
Insensatez
I’ve got you under my skin
It’s a lonely town
I’m in the mood for love
I Left My Heart In San Francisco
I’m getting sentimental over you
I Wish You Love
Skylark
Stormy Weather
Smoke gets in your eyes
In a Sentimental Mood
Just The Way You Look Tonight
Lullaby Of Birdland
Limelight
More
Misty
Moon River
My way
Night & Day
On the sunny side of the street
Petite Fleur
Smile
The days of wine and roses
The lady is a tramp
Take the A train
The nearness of you
The shadow of your smile
The Way You Look Tonight
What A Wonderful World
When I Fall In Love
Watch what happens
I got rhythm
Bollywood Music
Aaankhon mein teri,
Chura Liya
Humko Humise Churalo
Jahsn e bahaara
Jai Ho - Slumdog
Kal ho Na ho
Teri Meri
Tujh mein
Tera Saath
Tu hi re
Bheegi Bheegi si,
Chaand sifarish,
Dil chahta hai,
Kabhi Alvida Na kehna,
Pal har pal,
Tu hi mera shab,
Tumse Hi,
Bole Chudyian
Tujhe Dekha
Tum hi ho
Ye Dil Mushil
Ek Pyar ka Nagma
Yaadon Ki Barat
Zindagi Kaise hai ye
Appadi Podu
Kannum Kannum
Oru Vaarthai
Snehidhane
Aa Meri Jaan (Chandni)
Chalo Tumko Lekar Chale (Jism)
Chand Sitare Ohool Aur Khushboo (Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai)
Chandni O Meri Chandni (Chandni)
Ek Ladki Ko Dekha (1942 A Love Story)
Ek Shararat Hone Ko Hai (Duplicate)
Hum Chup Hain (Faasle)
Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai (Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai)
Kal Raat Ho Gayee (Kasoor)
Kuchh Na Kaho (1942 A Love Story)
Main Hoon Krushrang Henna (Henna)
Mehndi Laga Ke Rakhna (Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge)
Mere Humsafar (Refugee)
Mere Khwabon Ka Har Ek Naqsh Mita De Koi (Jism)
Mere Mehboob Mere Sanam (Duplicate)
Mere Rang Mein (Maine Pyaar Kiya)
Mujhe Rang De (Thakshak)
Na Tum Jano Na Hum (Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai)
Naya Naya Dhula Dhula (Fihaal)
Raat Ki Hatheli Par (Refugee)
Satyam Shivam Sundaram (Satyam Shivam Sundaram)
Soni Soni (Rehanaa Hai Terre Dil Mein)
Sun Sahiba Sun (Ram Teri Ganga Maili)
Tere Bina Jiya Jaaye Na (Ghar)
Tu Hi Meri Shab Hai (Gangster)
Tum Aa Gaye Ho Noor Aa Gaya Hai (Andhi)
Tumko Hi Chahenge Hum (Parwana)
Yeh Galiyan Yeh Chaubara (Prem Rog)
Yeh Kahan Aa Gaye Hum (Silsila)
Zara Sa Jhoom Loon Main (Diwale Dulhania Le Jayenge)
Customer questions

Which venues have you performed at in the past?

The Dorchester, London Liberty London Claridge’s, London Orient Express train The Savoy Hotel, London Hotel Danieli, Venice Hilton Park Lane, London Le Meridien Piccadilly, London Rennaisance Chancery Court Hotel, London Botleys Mansion, Surrey In and Out Naval and Army Club, London Gaynes Park, Essex Parklands Quendon Hall, Essex

Which artists have you been most influenced by?

Elton John Stevie Wonder Lionel Richie John Legend

What is the most high profile gig you've performed?

Accompanying Hollywood Star & Singer Vanessa Williams at ‘Special Olympics’ Royal Ascot Wimbledon Orient Express Train

What if my timings change after I've booked you?

I always try my best to be flexible to help ensure your event runs as smoothly as possible. If timings change slightly in the run up to the event just let me know.

Can you provide an iPod/DJ service before and between your sets?

Absolutely. This is a really popular request and I actually offer this service for free. If you'd like a DJ service via my PA after the final set until the venue closes, I can provide this for an additional £200.

How much time do you need to set up?

I usually arrive 1 hr before the event and set up ad do the sound check in 30 min.

If I have a piano at my venue, are you happy to perform on that?

Yes, of course - as long as the piano is in working order and in tune, then I'm happy to play on it!

Can I pick the songs you play from the set list?

My set lists are crafted from countless performances and learning what works best for you and your guests. However, I am definitely happy to chat through and make sure I find what works for your event.

Are you able to bring your own piano or keyboard?

Yes, absolutely! I bring my own keyboard or for an elegant look, at only £100, I can also provide a White or a Black Portable Piano Shell, to look like a real piano.

Can you learn song requests before the event?

If a song isn't included in my song list there may still be a chance I already know it. If there is a special song you'd like me to learn, I am happy to do this for you.

Cornel's Prices

Note: prices may vary based on travel distance. For an exact quote, click “Check availability”.

Standard Prices
Performance durationPrice
Short performance (up to 15 min)£125
Up to 1 hour£195
Up to 2 hours£295
Up to 3 hours£370
Packages
Wedding ceremony
This includes music before the service begins, music during the signing of the register, and music as guests leave.
£200
Drinks reception
Two performances of up to 45 mins each during your drinks reception
£250
Wedding ceremony + Drinks reception + Dinner
- Music before the service begins, music during the signing of the register, and music as guests leave. - 2 x 45 min performances at the drinks reception. - 2 x 45 min performances as dinner is being served.
£450
All Day Pianist & DJ
This includes Piano playing for the Ceremony, Drinks Reception and Wedding Breakfast. And Party DJ for the evening disco, with all the music from the 50s till the latests Charts. Add ons: Ibiza Sax, Electric Violinist, Congas/Bongos player, Including DJ booth, pro equipment, lighting, etc.
£1200

Add-ons

Baby Grand Piano perspex shell
+£100
DJ set
+£500
Cornel
Full starFull starFull starFull starFull star
5 out of 5
35 verified reviews
Satisfaction
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5.0
Professionalism
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5.0
Communication
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4.9
Punctuality
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5.0

Cornel's Reviews

From Encore customers:

LP
Laura P
4 months ago
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5 out of 5

Cornel was great. Would definitely recommend him!

HD
Hardip D
4 months ago
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5 out of 5

Cornel was absolutely brilliant at our wedding reception. In the lead up to the event, Cornel was engaging from the start, really friendly and communicative. I felt at ease when discussing our music choices based on the style we were looking for....there were even some surprises with some dance classics that Cornel had! I would not hesitate to book Cornel again, he was fantastic!

CC
Connie C
5 months ago
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5 out of 5

Cornel played beautifully and made walking down the aisle so special with our song . Thank you!

AC
Alicia C
6 months ago
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5 out of 5

Cornel was absolutely BRILLIANT as the pianist playing during our ceremony. He welcomed our guests with beautiful jazz standards, played a custom song for my dad and I to walk down the aisle, and then powered through about 4 hours of playing until it was time to move to the pub. He showed equal measures of expertise and heart, and he was such a lovely person to have around during our special day. Would hire him again without hesitation. Thank you for the incredible service and talent you shared with us Cornel!

Read all 23 reviews

From other customers:

LB
Lara B
4 years ago, for a Wedding in Mill Farm
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5 out of 5

Cornel did a great job at our wedding. He played exactly the styles we had requested. He engaged with our guests and it did not just feel like a 'job' for him. We were very happy indeed.

KS
Kavitha S
4 years ago, for a Birthday party in Worthing
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5 out of 5

Very good and a lovely person

Read all 14 reviews

From other musicians:

22 May 2018

Cornel is one of the most versatile pianist in the UK. Very talented and professional. I highly recommend him for any kind of event. He looks very stylish with his special white piano!