Described by the Sueddeutsche Zeitung as “a world class duo”, our 2020/21 Artist-in-Residence Benjamin Grosvenor and his duo partner Hyeyoon Park are exceptionally talented musicians both individually and as a pair. In light of their upcoming concert with us, here are a few facts about them both…
- An early talent, Benjamin Grosvenor found recognition at the tender age of eleven as the winner of the Keyboard Final of the 2004 BBC Young Musician Competition. He was later invited to perform with the BBC Symphony Orchestra at the First Night of the 2011 BBC Proms, aged just nineteen. Benjamin has received exceptional praise on the world stage, The New York Times saying ‘‘He commands the stage with aristocratic ease … Mr Grosvenor makes you sigh with joy … A temperament rare in yesteryear, let alone now.’
- Similarly, Hyeyoon Park found success early when she made her orchestral debut at the age of nine with the Seoul Philharmonic. She went on to become the youngest ever first prize winner of the ARD International Music Competition in Munich at the age of 17 in 2009. In 2012 she won the London Music Masters Award. Her playing has been described by Süddeutsche Zeitung as exhibiting ‘Technical brilliance and rousing virtuoso fire, charmed by a unique natural sweetness in tone, free from sentimentality.’
- Both keen chamber musicians, the duo recently toured together through North America as part of a recital tour, culminating in a performance at New York’s Frick Collection, a premier museum and research centre in New York City.
- The pair gave their first post-lockdown concert to an empty Wigmore Hall (and online audience) in June 2020. It was met with this review from The Guardian “Grosvenor’s touch was astonishingly responsive – as supple in quiet, single-handed lyricism as in flurries of quicksilver virtuosity – while Park made stylish use throughout of portamento and her irrepressibly expressive vibrato.”
- In 2020, Benjamin and Hyeyoon co-founded the Bromley and Beckenham International Music Festival, together with violinist Raja Halder. Benjamin Grosvenor said: “The Covid-19 crisis has been a daunting time for everyone. Those working in the performing arts have been hit by widespread cancellations and months of seclusion and uncertainty. As three musicians based in Bromley, we were united in our desire to create something positive out of this difficult experience and build something long-lasting for the local community. Through this, the festival was born.”
Watch the concert highlights:
To see details of Benjamin and Hyeyoon’s upcoming concert with us on 5 May click here
To read our latest spring series press release click here
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