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Artist
"Raphael is a brilliant harpist and pianist with compositions equally as fascinating. Once I considered myself his mentor, but now we inspire each other on a more equal footing." Pete Townshend The history of music is filled with legendary names, larger than life stories and multiple surprises. Piano and harp virtuoso, RAPHAEL RUDD stepped into the pages of music history initially as a classical performer not aware of his future impact in rock. Trained in the classics at both Julliard and the Manhattan School of Music, Raphael honed his performance skills while refining his compositional style. His work had already been accepted in a number of prestigious competitions around the world. One of his early achievements was an award from the Library of Congress in recognition of his compositional skills. Raphael's performances throughout the New York area caused a stir in the local music community. He was actively sought after as a session player for both piano and harp. Infused with British rock inspirations, but holding firmly on to his classical foundations, Raphael's compositions and performing style began to take on a new flavor. He continued to expand his role by stepping into the role of producer. One project, an obscure soft-rock album, found its way into Pete Townshend's hands. Townshend, the guiding force of Britain's The Who, was drawn to the young composers arrangements and contacted the New Jersey native. Raphael found himself invited to the UK, hired to arrange