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James Rhodes (pianist)

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James Rhodes
Musical artist

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, Grigory 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

  1. Rhodes, James. "James Rhodes: how Beethoven became my drug". The Times, 22 May 2009.
  2. Smith, Charlotte. "James Rhodes signs to Warner Bros Records". Gramophone (magazine), 25 March 2010.
  3. Church, Michael. "James Rhodes, Queen Elizabeth Hall, London". The Independent. 9 February 2009.
  4. Brown, Geoff. "James Rhodes at Roundhouse, NW1". The Times. 15 May 2009.
  5. "Classical BRIT Awards Launch 2009". classicfm.co.uk. 20 April 2009.
  6. "A Classical Evening". The Daily Nation (Barbados). 21 March 2010.
  7. Four star 'Daily Telegraph' review for 'Razor Blades, Little Pills and Big Pianos' by Ivan Hewett
  8. BBC Radio 3 review for 'Razor Blades, Little Pills and Big Pianos' by Rick Jones
  9. The Classical Beat's take on 'Razor Blades, Little Pills and Big Pianos' by Annette Midgette
  10. 9/10 review for 'Razor Blades, Little Pills and Big Pianos' by Jed Distler
  11. Musical Pointers review for 'Now Would All Freudians Please Stand Aside' by Peter Grahame Woolf
  12. The Times Top Downloads recommends James Rhodes by Laura Silverman
  13. Daily Telegraph review for 'Now Would All Freudians Please Stand Aside' by Damian Thompson

External links

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