Who is Benjamin Grosvenor?
Grosvenor is one of the most admired pianists working today. He is the youngest of five brothers.
How old is Benjamin Grosvenor?
Grosvenor was born on 8 July 1992 in Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex, England. His father teaches English and Drama, while his mother is a piano teacher.
When did he start learning the piano?
Grosvenor began studying the piano with his mother at the age of five.
Who taught Benjamin Grosvenor?
After lessons with his mother, Grosvenor continued his piano studies with Hilary Coates and Christopher Elton.
When did Benjamin Grosvenor do Young Musician of the Year?
In 2004, at the age of 11, Grosvenor took art in the BBC Young Musician of the Year award, and won the Keyboard section.
- BBC Young Musician of the Year: the most memorable moments since its inception in 1978
- Six of the best BBC Young Musician performances
- How to win BBC Young Musician
Where did Benjamin Grosvenor study?
Grosvenor studied at the Royal Academy of Music, taking musicianship classes with Daniel-Ben Pienaar and Julian Perkins. He graduated in 2012, and was given the Queen's Award for Excellence for the best all-round student of the year.
Which orchestras has Grosvenor performed with?
Among others, Grosvenor has performed with (deep breath) the London Symphony Orchestra, Orchestre National de France, Boston Symphony, Cleveland Orchestra,New York Philharmonic, Philadelphia Orchestra, Gewandhausorchester, Orchestra dell’Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, and English Chamber Orchestra.
Benjamin Grosvenor: best recordings
This and That (2010)
Works by Kapustin, Scarlatti, Albéniz, Moszkowski, Chopin, Brahms, Strauss II and Gershwin Galton Concert Productions 700123
From our four-star review… ‘He’s very much an entertainer, with a virtuosity that allows him to tackle Cziffra’s volcanic reworkings of Brahms and Strauss II comfortably.’
Chopin, Liszt, Ravel (2011)
Chopin: Scherzos; Nocturnes; Liszt: My Joys; The Maiden’s Wish, En rêve; Ravel: Gaspard de la nuit Decca 478 3206
From our five-star review… ‘He is a virtuoso who declines the mantle of the virtuoso, every gesture being put exclusively and exhilaratingly at the service of the music.’
Rhapsody in Blue (2012)
Works by Saint-Saëns, Ravel and Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue, et al Decca 478 3527
From our five-star review… ‘I can only concur with other critics who hear in his tone and phrasing echoes of a golden age…’
The best recordings of Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue
Dances (2014)
Works by JS Bach, Chopin, Scriabin, Granados, et al Decca 478 5334
From our five-star review… ‘The quality of his playing is altogether exceptional. Pianist Benjamin Grosvenor takes nothing for granted in music. Nor should we in listening to him.’
Homages (2016)
Works by Bach-Busoni, Mendelssohn, Franck, Chopin and Liszt Decca 483 0255
From our five-star review… ‘This recital album from Benjamin Grosvenor is every bit as pianistically brilliant at its precedents, showing off his fluid virtuosity, musical sensitivity and fearless approach.’
Which are the best music streaming services for classical music lovers?
Read more reviews of the latest Benjamin Grosvenor recordings here
