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The English pianist, James Rhodes, introduced himself to the piano maste-rclass maestro Bryce Morrison while attending a concert by the great Russian pianist Grigory Sokolov; his childhood idol. Following an intensive period of studying with Morrison and Colin Stone in London and Edoardo Strabbioli in Verona, Italy, the door was finally opened to allow him to become a professional pianist without any previous formal academic musical education or dedicated mentoring.
James Rhodes' first public recital was at Steinway Hall in London, on November 7, 2008. His second recital was at the Hinde Street Methodist Centre, London, on December 4, 2008. He performed his first full scale concert at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre, in London on February 6, 2009. In 2009, he 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. He 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. Highlights for 2010 include his debut at the Cheltenham Festival (July).
James Rhodes released his first album, "Razor Blades, Little Pills and Big Pianos" in February 2009 with Signum Records. The recording of this album, performed at Potton Hall in Suffolk, is somewhat of a biographical expression of his complex and unorthodox journey. In December 2009, he completed filming a BBC Four music documentary celebrating Frédéric Frédéric Chopin’s 200th anniversary to be broadcast in 2010. He is the star presenter and performer in the 90 minute programme which is a discovery of F. Chopin’s life and his relationship with the opera singer Jenny Lind. |
