Philip Smith is a pianist who thrives on variety. He gives solo and chamber recitals, concerto performances, and concerts in varied styles with the distinguished percussionist Evelyn Glennie. Recent concerto performances have taken place with the Hallé Orchestra under Mark Elder and the Philharmonic Orchestras of Strasbourg and Duisburg.
During the 1980s he won major prizes at several international competitions, resulting in performances in Europe, America and Japan. He also appeared frequently in London’s major concert halls and at international festivals. He played the complete concertos of Beethoven and Brahms (amongst many others) appearing with the Royal Philharmonic, BBC Scottish, Netherlands Radio Philharmonic and English Chamber Orchestras. In 1988 alone he performed in four continents: Europe, North America, Asia and Australasia. Opportunities for TV and radio performances followed both at home and abroad.
In 1989 he made his BBC Promenade Concert recital début with Evelyn Glennie. Their partnership has continued with appearances worldwide, including recitals at the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. and the Hollywood Bowl. They have played in the presence of royalty and heads of state in several countries. Their critically acclaimed New York recital début took place at the Lincoln Center in 1998.
1999 took Philip Smith to the Far East, North America, Europe and of course the U.K: his third Beethoven concerto cycle took place in Nottingham. His most recent concerto performances include Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue” at Symphony Hall, Birmingham and at the Royal Festival Hall in London. He also played the Grieg concerto with the London Philharmonic Orchestra at the Barbican Hall. He is the Artistic Director of the International Piano Series in Colchester.
Recordings include Liszt’s complete “Soirées de Vienne” (Meridian) and several CDs with Evelyn Glennie. The most recent with Evelyn also includes saxophonist John Harle in music by Dave Heath. In 2000 Philip Smith and clarinettist Bernhard Röthlisberger began their duo partnership with concerts in Switzerland and the U.K. Their first CD together has been issued: the Brahms clarinet sonatas and the sonata by Brahms’ only pupil, Gustav Jenner. In 2006 Philip Smith performed in Italy, Norway, Iceland and Hong Kong. His UK concerts included a series of six Mozart concertos in 3 concerts. Aside from Britain his 2007 concerts have so far taken him to Italy, India, Korea, Japan, Greece, Spain and Portugal.
EVENTS in 2007
with Philip Smith
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