Benjamin Grosvenor

[Peter Katin]

I've just seen that Benjamin Grosvenor is playing Gaspard de la Nuit this evening at about 7.00. It will be interesting to hear what he does with it.

[french frank]

I heard him play it in the summer at St George's in a programme including Liszt's B minor piano sonata. I'll be interested to hear how you think he's shaping up.

[Peter Katin]

I heard him play it in the summer at St George's in a programme including Liszt's B minor piano sonata. I'll be interested to hear how you think he's shaping up.

Wow, that's quite a programme! I was very impressed by the Ravel but excessive speed in Scarbo detracted from the effects - something he has to watch for. His talking beforehand certainly made a lot of sense.

[Pianorak]

I didn't know what to expect having been underwhelmed by his recent Chopin recital. But I really enjoyed his Gaspard with the opening ppps beautifully maintained throughout and Le Gibet sending shivers down my spine. I must admit by the time Scarbo arrived my mind had begun to wander just a bit because I kept asking myself if this was the same pianist whose Chopin I had been quite unable to appreciate and respond to. Full marks to this latest newcomer to the New Generation Artists roster.

[Panjandrum]

I didn't know what to expect having been underwhelmed by his recent Chopin recital. But I really enjoyed his Gaspard with the opening ppps beautifully maintained throughout and Le Gibet sending shivers down my spine. I must admit by the time Scarbo arrived my mind had begun to wander just a bit because I kept asking myself if this was the same pianist whose Chopin I had been quite unable to appreciate and respond to. Full marks to this latest newcomer to the New Generation Artists roster.

Pianorak, I think we have to cut BG a bit of slack here: he is after all still barely a kid learning his trade.

[Pianorak]

Pianorak, I think we have to cut BG a bit of slack here: he is after all still barely a kid learning his trade.

I do so agree with you and I felt no allwances had to be made for his age in the case of the Gaspard. But I did agree with another forumite's view on his recent all-Chopin recital. Unfortunately cannot find the thread now.

[bluestateprommer]

Nice New York Times write-up on BG in advance of his Carnegie Hall recital next week:

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/11/arts/music/benjamin-grosvenor-the-once-and-continuing-prodigy.html

[Alison]

Thought we'd have had a few more CD's by now - nothing since Dances

[bluestateprommer]

To call David Allen's NYT review of BG's Carnegie Hall recital last week 'gobsmacked' would be mild understatement indeed:

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/17/arts/music/review-benjamin-grosvenor-takes-carnegie-hall.html

Thought we'd have had a few more CD's by now - nothing since Dances

BG seems to be going at the rate of one album per year for the last few years, with his concerto album from 2013 sandwiching his solo albums from 2012 and 2014. I think that this actually betrays good sense on his (and his manager's) part, in that he's recording when he seems to sense the right opportunity and isn't trying to overexpose himself. I don't doubt that his next album will come in good time, when he feels ready. One possibility may be that his Carnegie Hall recital could be a future album, if it doesn't duplicate his earlier issues in terms of repertoire, and he approves of the idea - assuming that the recital was recorded, of course (no idea on the latter point).

[Nick Armstrong]

I'm excited that I shall be hearing BG live tomorrow evening for the first time, in the Ravel Concerto in G with the LPO!

[gradus]

I hope that he gives you an encore, he has some wonderful pieces under his fingers, keep shouting!

[Nick Armstrong]

I hope that he gives you an encore, he has some wonderful pieces under his fingers, keep shouting!

Good tip

[BBMmk2]

Hope you enjoyed the concert, Cali! report? :)

[Nick Armstrong]

Hope you enjoyed the concert, Cali! report? :)

Um... it was okay. The whole concert was I think slightly dragged downwards by conductor Thierry Fischer, who is a journeyman at best - lots of illustrative arm whirling, less actual direction. A Maestro of the obvious rather than of detail. So for instance, the first note of the concerto was a shambles, the orchestra (whip crack and all) happening about half a bar after the piano started. There was some insecurity in the woodwind too. Great piano playing but it didn't set the hall alight. It was all just short of being memorable (the Saint-Saens organ symphony was worse - though satisfactorily noisy at the end, got the Friday night crowd in a lather after 3 movements of extensive hall-wide coughing)

Benjamin G gave us a lovely encore, best thing of the evening - no one knew what it was, my money's on Mompou. Any other Forumite attend and recognise it?

[antongould]

Um... it was okay. The whole concert was I think slightly dragged downwards by conductor Thierry Fischer, who is a journeyman at best - lots of illustrative arm whirling, less actual direction. A Maestro of the obvious rather than of detail. So for instance, the first note of the concerto was a shambles, the orchestra (whip crack and all) happening about half a bar after the piano started. There was some insecurity in the woodwind too. Great piano playing but it didn't set the hall alight. It was all just short of being memorable (the Saint-Saens organ symphony was worse - though satisfactorily noisy at the end, got the Friday night crowd in a lather after 3 movements of extensive hall-wide coughing)

Benjamin G gave us a lovely encore, best thing of the evening - no one knew what it was, my money's on Mompou. Any other Forumite attend and recognise it?

Oh dear Rumpole better luck next time ......