Benjamin Grosvenor wins French Diapason Award

Diapason Magazine (France): 'We waited with the utmost impatience for the release of his first album (Decca). The recital by Benjamin Grosvenor at the Chateau Florans confirms an exceptional personality and musical maturity. Bach's Partita No 4 impresses from the outset with its fluency, its rhythmic aplomb and verve expressing even the slightest detail, beautifully integrating the melodic line. Everything is perfectly felt mastery. Without any narcissism, the young pianist - all of just twenty years - seems to have his own way of playing. Chopin's 3rd Sonata is fascinating with his way of voicing and singing every line, with a sense of breathing that is the hallmark of the greatest. Extreme concentration combined with a deep understanding of the works allows him to produce supreme colour and sonority with precision - in harmony in every note. Colouristic ability finally brings wonder to Gaspard de la nuit where his playing, both in structure and poetry, is not unlike that of a master of the past that he likes to hear: Alfred Cortot!'

Benjamin was Pianist magazine's Cover artist in issue 63. Read about his Gramophone Award triumph in the current issue