World Renowned Pianist To Perform In Wales
A pianist hailed as the finest of his generation is set to perform at Pontyberem Memorial Hall on Friday.
Benjamin Grosvenor, who is internationally recognised for his electrifying performances, has already wowed audiences and critics alike, performing with BBC Symphony Orchestra on the First Night of the Proms to a sold-out Royal Albert Hall, in 2011, and winning a Classical Brits Critics Award in 2012.
Having also worked with the BBC in Cardiff, this won’t be Benjamin’s first visit to Wales.
The 20-year-old said: “I’m really looking forward to working in Wales again, and in particular, to working with Sinfonia Cymru, who I haven’t worked with before.
“I’m also really looking forward to playing smaller venues like Pontyberem Memorial Hall, as I feel strongly that classical music should be accessible to everyone.”
Benjamin will perform alongside international maestro Carlo Rizzi, and Wales’s leading young chamber orchestra, Sinfonia Cymru, as part of the Classic Conversations tour.
The programme is the brain-child of Sinfonia Cymru, the critically- acclaimed national chamber orchestra of Wales, and is designed to bring world-renowned artists together to explore a personally meaningful repertoire, providing a unique platform for conductors, soloists and orchestras.
Sophie Lewis, Sinfonia Cymru’s general manager, said: “The distinguished pairing of Carlo Rizzi and Benjamin Grosvenor has led to a melting pot of brilliant creative ideas and a programme featuring a diverse selection of works including early Mazurkas by Scriabin, Schumann Piano Concerto in A minor and Beethoven Symphony no. 2.
“We are also delighted to be playing at Pontyberem, which has a strong tradition of musical talent and innovation, being the birthplace of Lewis Thomas, the pioneer of the art of Cerdd Dant, as well as singers Dorothy Squires and Gwenda Owen.”
The members of Sinfonia Cymru are looking forward to working with Benjamin and Carlo too, as violinist Charlie MacClure explains: “We’re really lucky at Sinfonia Cymru to be able to work with some of the world’s best soloists and conductors.
“Carlo Rizzi has so much experience to share with us and it’s really exciting to be working with a soloist who is not only one of the best pianists of our generation but also our age.”