Benjamin Grosvenor's Proms debut in 2011
Four years ago I made my BBC Proms debut at the First Night of the Proms. It was a great honour, and a very special experience for my debut to be at the opening of the festival.
The Royal Albert Hall is a truly unique venue - an iconic building, with such a rich history. I first performed there in 2005, but it was only when returning for my first Prom that I realised how much the feel of the space can change between rehearsal and performance. When empty it feels like such a huge, bare space but when full it develops a sense of intimacy, surprising for a place so large. For the First Night, I learned Liszt's Piano Concerto No. 2 - a piece that I had wanted to play for some time - and I returned a month later for a second Prom with the National Youth Orchestra. It was great to perform Britten’s piano concerto, an often neglected work, with so many musicians my age.
This year, I’ve been invited back for the Last Night of the Proms - one of the biggest events in the classical music calendar. The audience at the BBC Proms is always special, but the Last Night has a festive atmosphere that is something else. It is a major event for Britain, and the concert is also televised around the world, so friends and colleagues who have supported me through my career can tune in and watch. It’s a huge privilege to be sharing the stage with Marin Alsop, Jonas Kaufmann and Danielle De Niese – three fantastic musicians who I am really excited to meet.
My contribution to the programme involves two solo and two orchestral works. I'll be starting with Shostakovich’s Piano Concerto No. 2 in F major, a piece perfect for the last night, brimming with youthful vigour, and with a sublimely lyrical slow moment. It will be great to be back with the BBC Symphony Orchestra, with whom I have performed numerous times. After the interval I'll be involved in Marin Alsop’s arrangement of Victory Stride by James P. Johnson, a short jazz piece, followed by two solo works that continue the American theme: Percy Grainger’s arrangement of Gershwin’s Love Walked In and Morton Gould’s Boogie Woogie Etude.
The BBC has been involved in the development of my career since the very beginning. Starting with the BBC Young Musician final in 2004 I was subsequently chosen to be a Radio 3 New Generation Artist, joining the scheme in 2010. This was a key opportunity for me as it offered the chance for a number of radio performances and studio recordings, both solo and in collaboration with the BBC orchestras, as well as chances to explore chamber music with other artists on the programme. The Last Night of the Proms is an exciting opening to a busy season for me. In October I will make my Carnegie Hall recital debut and I’ll be back in London to perform with the London Philharmonic Orchestra. Later, I have tours of Australia, Hong Kong, and America, and will also be recording my next disc for Decca.
