Hire Cornel Oprea | Pianist in Southampton

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From£195

1 hour

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'A Thousand Years' - Wedding Pianist with White Piano Shell at Parklands Quendon Hall, Essex

'Get Lucky' - Wedding Pianist & Cello at Braxted Park, Essex | White Piano Shell

All Of Me - Cornel Oprea (piano cover)

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

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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

Cornel

5 out of 5

38 verified reviews

Satisfaction

5.0

Professionalism

5.0

Communication

4.9

Punctuality

5.0

Cornel's Reviews

5 out of 5

We booked Cornel for our wedding last weekend and he was absolutely amazing! Cornel communicated with me throughout the year during the planning and helped me with timings for the ceremony. Cornel knew exactly what he was doing and where to set up, worked incredibly well with the team at the venue and played beautifully throughout. Cornel is a very warm and welcoming person and is an incredibly talented musician. There wasn’t a single piece of music I sent him that he couldn’t play. Having Cornel play live music throughout the ceremony truly made the whole experience feel very magical. We had so many compliments from our guests on Cornel. The baby grand shell really is like the real thing and brings a sense of elegance to your event. Thank you so much for travelling such a way to play during our ceremony Cornel, we will never forget it.

5 out of 5

Cornel recently played at our wedding. He played the aisle walk song and throughout the drinks reception! Cornel was lovely, played everything we asked and really helped to make the day so special! Would highly recommend!

5 out of 5

Cornel was absolutely brilliant

5 out of 5

Cornel was great. Would definitely recommend him!

Read all 26 reviews

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.

5 out of 5

Very good and a lovely person

Read all 14 reviews

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!

Encore badges

Top 10 booked musician of 2023

Lightning fast responses

Average response time under 2 hours

50 gigs

Veteran: 50 bookings through Encore

Saved the day!

Booked for an Encore gig with less than 24 hours’ notice

8th Anniversary

This act has been working with Encore for over 8 years

Member of the Encore community forum

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

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)

Cornel's Prices

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

Performance duration	Price
Short performance (up to 15 min)	£125
Up to 1 hour	£195
Up to 2 hours	£295
Up to 3 hours	£370

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

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.

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:

Piano, DJ, Bollywood DJ

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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

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