| Revision as of 14:49, 31 March 2010 editGhmp (talk | contribs)103 edits →Discography← Previous edit | Revision as of 15:03, 31 March 2010 edit undoGhmp (talk | contribs)103 edits →CareerNext edit → | ||
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| == Career == | == Career == | ||
| Rhodes has no formal academic musical education or dedicated mentoring.<ref> James Rhodes, concert pianist</ref> | |||
| While attending a concert by the great Russian pianist ]; Rhodes' childhood idol, he introduced himself to the piano Masterclass maestro Bryce Morrison. Following an intensive period of studying with Morrison and Colin Stone in London and Edoardo Strabbioli in ], ], the door was finally opened to allow him to become a professional pianist without any previous formal academic musical education or dedicated mentoring. | |||
| In 1993, mental health issues stopped him taking up a scholarship to the ]. | |||
| A chance meeting, 10 years later, with Franco Panozzo, agent to Russian concert pianist virtuoso, ]. Panozzo arranged for James to have a brief tutorage by the renowned piano teacher Edoardo Strabbioli in Verona Italy. | |||
| The recording of his debut album, performed at Potton Hall in ], is somewhat of a biographical expression of Rhodes's complex and unorthodox journey. | |||
| Suffering further setbacks due to health issues it was not until 2008, when Rhodes met his present manager, Denis Blais, that he was encouraged to record his first CD. | |||
| With Blais, Rhodes created a distinctive and unique approach to how the classical piano repertoire should be presented. Uncomfortable with the austere and traditional 'white tie and tails' recital they decided it was time for the performer to communicate directly with the audience. Rhodes was going to introduce his own programme notes and share what it takes to perform these works of art using fascinating anecdotes about the composers and his own life experience. Delivered in his unique trademark stand-up style he creates an immersive experience that has won him and classical music a dedicated new following. | |||
| 2008/2009 saw his profile go from complete unknown to rising star, attracting celebrity followers such as ] and Sir ]. Having performed in non-traditional classical venues, Rhodes built on this new revolutionary performance approach. | |||
| In March 2010, Rhodes became the first core classical pianist to be signed to the world's largest rock label ].<ref> "]" by Charlotte Smith</ref> | |||
| == Concerts == | |||
| Rhodes' first public recital was at ] in London, on 7 November 2008. His second recital was at the Hinde Street Methodist Centre, London, on 4 December 2008. He performed his first full scale concert at the ], ], in London on 6 February 2009.<ref> by Michael Church </ref> | Rhodes' first public recital was at ] in London, on 7 November 2008. His second recital was at the Hinde Street Methodist Centre, London, on 4 December 2008. He performed his first full scale concert at the ], ], in London on 6 February 2009.<ref> by Michael Church </ref> | ||
| ⚫ | In May 2009, Rhodes performed a solo concert at ] in Camden, where he was the first classical musician to give a solo recital at this historic London music venue since the reopening.<ref> by Geoff Brown </ref> | ||
| Rhodes released his first album, ''Razor Blades, Little Pills and Big Pianos'', on 2 February 2009 with Signum Records.<ref> by Ivan Hewett </ref><ref> by Rick Jones</ref> | |||
| Rhodes has also played Proud Galleries in Camden; ] in Soho; ] and the nominations launch for the ] 2009 WITH NS&I, alongside ].<ref></ref> | |||
| In March 2010, Rhodes performed at the Holders Season 2010 in ]. <ref> Nation News, Barbados</ref> He will also play at the ] and be the first classical musician to play the ], Suffolk in July of this year. | |||
| == Television == | |||
| ⚫ | In 2009, Rhodes performed a solo concert at ] in Camden, where he was the first classical musician to give a solo recital at this historic London music venue since the reopening.<ref> by Geoff Brown </ref> |
||
| Rhodes completed filming a ] music documentary celebrating ]’s 200th anniversary in December 2009. He is the star presenter and performer in the 90 minute programme which is a discovery of Chopin’s life and his relationship with the opera singer ]. This documentary will be broadcast in 2010. | |||
| == Discography == | == Discography == | ||
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| James Rhodes |
|---|
James Rhodes (born 6 March 1975 in London) is a British classical pianist.
Career
Rhodes has no formal academic musical education or dedicated mentoring. In 1993, mental health issues stopped him taking up a scholarship to the Guildhall, London.
A chance meeting, 10 years later, with Franco Panozzo, agent to Russian concert pianist virtuoso, Grigori Sokolov. Panozzo arranged for James to have a brief tutorage by the renowned piano teacher Edoardo Strabbioli in Verona Italy.
Suffering further setbacks due to health issues it was not until 2008, when Rhodes met his present manager, Denis Blais, that he was encouraged to record his first CD.
With Blais, Rhodes created a distinctive and unique approach to how the classical piano repertoire should be presented. Uncomfortable with the austere and traditional 'white tie and tails' recital they decided it was time for the performer to communicate directly with the audience. Rhodes was going to introduce his own programme notes and share what it takes to perform these works of art using fascinating anecdotes about the composers and his own life experience. Delivered in his unique trademark stand-up style he creates an immersive experience that has won him and classical music a dedicated new following.
2008/2009 saw his profile go from complete unknown to rising star, attracting celebrity followers such as Stephen Fry and Sir David Tang. Having performed in non-traditional classical venues, Rhodes built on this new revolutionary performance approach.
In March 2010, Rhodes became the first core classical pianist to be signed to the world's largest rock label Warner Bros. Records.
Concerts
Rhodes' first public recital was at Steinway Hall in London, on 7 November 2008. His second recital was at the Hinde Street Methodist Centre, London, on 4 December 2008. He performed his first full scale concert at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre, in London on 6 February 2009.
In May 2009, Rhodes performed a solo concert at The Roundhouse in Camden, where he was the first classical musician to give a solo recital at this historic London music venue since the reopening.
Rhodes has also played Proud Galleries in Camden; 100 Club in Soho; Tabernacle, Notting Hill and the nominations launch for the Classical BRIT Awards 2009 WITH NS&I, alongside Katherine Jenkins.
In March 2010, Rhodes performed at the Holders Season 2010 in Barbados. He will also play at the Cheltenham Music Festival and be the first classical musician to play the Latitude Festival, Suffolk in July of this year.
Television
Rhodes completed filming a BBC Four music documentary celebrating Frédéric Chopin’s 200th anniversary in December 2009. He is the star presenter and performer in the 90 minute programme which is a discovery of Chopin’s life and his relationship with the opera singer Jenny Lind. This documentary will be broadcast in 2010.
Discography
Albums
- Razor Blades, Little Pills and Big Pianos (Feb 2009), Signum Records
- Now Would All Freudians Please Stand Aside (Mar 2010), Signum Records
References
- The Times, How Beethoven became my drug James Rhodes, concert pianist
- James Rhodes signs to Warner Bros Records "Gramophone" by Charlotte Smith
- 'The Independent' review of Rhodes' Queen Elizabeth Hall concert by Michael Church
- The Times four star review for Rhodes' Roundhouse concert by Geoff Brown
- BPI announces nominations for The Classical BRIT Awards 2009
- A Classical Evening Nation News, Barbados
- Four star 'Daily Telegraph' review for 'Razor Blades, Little Pills and Big Pianos' by Ivan Hewett
- BBC Radio 3 review for 'Razor Blades, Little Pills and Big Pianos' by Rick Jones
- The Classical Beat's take on 'Razor Blades, Little Pills and Big Pianos' by Annette Midgette
- 9/10 review for 'Razor Blades, Little Pills and Big Pianos' by Jed Distler
- Musical Pointers review for 'Now Would All Freudians Please Stand Aside' by Peter Grahame Woolf
- The Times Top Downloads recommends James Rhodes by Laura Silverman
- Daily Telegraph review for 'Now Would All Freudians Please Stand Aside' by Damian Thompson
External links
- Official Website
- Official Twitter page
- Official Facebook page
- Official MySpace page
- Signum Classics Website