From boy wonder to new heights for British piano man Benjamin Grosvenor
Benjamin Grosvenor has established himself as the most exciting and accomplished British pianist of his generation since bursting on the scene as a child prodigy.
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Benjamin Grosvenor has established himself as the most exciting and accomplished British pianist of his generation since bursting on the classical music scene as a child prodigy.
Remarkably mature for his 27 years, he has five albums under his belt since being the youngest pianist to sign with Decca in 2011. His latest release, the two Chopin concertos, marks his first orchestral outing since his 2012 Rhapsody In Blue album which featured Saint-Saens’ second and Ravel’s G major concertos as well as George Gershwin’s showstopper.
Opinion has always been divided over Chopin’s ability as an orchestrator. There are some who think his scores for the two piano concertos, both written when he was 20 and still living in Poland, are boring and unadventurous. Others believe he got the job done, albeit unspectacularly, and that the instrumentalists complement the soloist.
Whichever camp the listener falls into, there is no doubting that the piano writing is wonderful and memorable, and under the fingers of Grosvenor backed by the Royal Scottish National Orchestra the two concertos are glittering and achingly lovely, fully-formed masterpieces.
There is some nice interplay between woodwinds and piano, the bassoon especially getting some fine moments in the closing bars of the opening movement of the E minor concerto and again in the larghetto from the second concerto, which was actually written before the first.
AFFINITY
Grosvenor has a special affinity for the composer. “Chopin was the first composer to whom I felt a strong connection as a child. I have always been drawn to his music, and his piano concertos are among some of the finest in the repertoire,” he says.
Young Hong Kong conductor Elim Chan makes her recording debut with this album, and although the RSNO may not be stretched to the limit by Chopin’s scoring they perform impeccably.
Grosvenor first hit the headlines at the tender age of 11 when he won the 2004 BBC Young Musician of the Year keyboard section, going on to appear in a number of Promenade concerts as a BBC New Generation Artist. His discography covers a varied repertoire as well as a collection of new works for piano and violin with South Korean fiddler Hyeyoon Park.
His technique shows great clarity and technical ease. His touch is light and there is an innate artistry, taste and thoughtfulness in his playing. Still only 27, there is no telling what new heights he may scale. This is certainly a beautiful and impressive survey of Chopin’s two masterworks.
The album is available from Classicsdirect.com.au for $19.95.