More on Benjamin Grosvenor

Chopin / Liszt / Ravel, B. Grosvenor (released on February 28, 2012) Decca 478 3206 | 75'15"

Charles T. Downey, Benjamin Grosvenor, Chopin, Liszt, Ravel
The Classical Review, May 11

When Benjamin Grosvenor won the keyboard award at the BBC Young Musician of the Year competition in 2004, the British pianist was all of 11 years old. His performance was so striking, so composed for someone so young, that it added force to gripes about the overall award going to violinist Nicola Benedetti.

Since then, Grosvenor has been the darling of the British press, and his story certainly has appeal: the son of a piano teacher mother, he started piano only when he was six and is now completing studies at the Royal Academy of Music. He also gives recitals and concerto appearances all over the world, including opening the BBC Proms last year, quite an honor for someone his age.

Grosvenor signed a recording deal with Decca last year, making him the first British pianist to be signed to the label in more than six decades. His first disc for the label, a recital of Chopin, Liszt, and Ravel, reveals a clever bit of programming, alternating all four of Chopin’s Scherzos, to show off his technical prowess, with three of the Nocturnes, for finesse.

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PREVIOUSLY:
Benjamin Grosvenor, Prodigy Grown Up (Ionarts, March 5)