Maturity is key to young pianist's talent

AFTER wowing audiences at the Forum Theatre young pianist Benjamin Grosvenor returns to Hanley for a programme of Kapustin, Liszt, Chopin and Ravel.

The 17-year-old won the Keyboard Final of the 2004 BBC Young Musician Competition aged just 11. Now he is fast becoming recognised as one of the most highly-regarded pianists of his generation due to his maturity of play and interpretation of the music. Renowned for bringing lesser-known composers to the concert hall, his appearance next week will give listeners the chance to experience the contemporary sounds of Kapustin, among the romantic melodies of Liszt and Chopin and the excitement of Ravel.

The concert forms part of the Harding Trust Piano Recital Series and will be followed on Thursday, March 25, by Chinese pianist Ching-Yum Hu before Nikolai Demidenko closes the season on Thursday, April 22.

Benjamin Grosvenor can be seen at the Forum Theatre, Hanley, on Thursday, February 11, at 8pm. Tickets cost £19 and include a programme and interval refreshment.

For more information on this or any of the forthcoming piano recitals call 01782 206000.