James Rhodes (pianist)
Encyclopedia
James Rhodes is a British
classical
pianist
.
, North London
, he was sent to a local public school where he claims he was abused by his gym teacher. Rhodes suffered mentally, and later had a back operation.
Age 7, he borrowed the CD of Beethoven’s Emperor Concerto from his father's collection, although he did not progress formally beyond Grade 3 piano tuition. After moving to a local boarding school, he then, from age 13 onwards, was educated at Harrow School
, where he worked with piano teacher Colin Stone. It was during this period that he entered the BBC Young Musician of the Year
competition, but failed to make it past the second round.
In 1993, he was offered a scholarship to the Guildhall School of Music and Drama
. But in part due to mental health
issues and his father's insistence, Rhodes took a psychology
degree at University College, London.
On graduation Rhodes took a job in the City of London
, and married an American
writer who was ten years older than he was. The couple had a son but are now divorced.
, Rhodes wrote to Sokolov’s agent Franco Panozzo in Italy, with the idea that Rhodes would become a music agent himself. Panozzo responded, and after Rhodes sent him a bottle of Champagne Krug
, the pair arranged to meet in Italy. After hearing Rhodes play, Panozzo arranged for Rhodes to have a brief tutorage by the renowned piano teacher Edoardo Strabbioli in Verona Italy. However after a period Rhodes was sectioned, spending eight months in various hospitals in the United Kingdom and the United States
, after which his marriage broke down.
Returning to London, he met Canadian entrepreneur Denis Blais while practising at the Steinway Hall, Marylebone
in 2008. Encouraged to record his first CD, and uncomfortable with the austere and traditional 'white tie and tails' recital, Rhodes and Blais decided it was time for the performer to communicate directly with the audience. Rhodes introduced his own programme notes to share with the audience what it takes to perform these works of art, using anecdotes about the composers and his own life experience.
2008/2009 saw his profile go from complete unknown to rising star, attracting celebrity followers such as Stephen Fry
and Sir David Tang
. Having performed in non-traditional classical venues, Rhodes built on this new revolutionary performance approach.
In March 2010, Rhodes became the first core classical pianist to be signed to the world's largest rock label Warner Bros. Records
.
in London, on 7 November 2008. His second recital was at the Hinde Street Methodist Centre, London, on 4 December 2008. He performed his first full scale concert at the Queen Elizabeth Hall
, Southbank Centre, in London on 6 February 2009.
In May 2009, Rhodes performed a solo concert at The Roundhouse
in Camden, the first classical musician to give a solo recital since the reopening. Rhodes 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.
In March 2010, Rhodes performed at the Holders Season 2010 in Barbados
. 2010 also saw him play at the Cheltenham Music Festival
, Hay Festival
and the Latitude Festival
, Suffolk
.
In February 2011, Rhodes performed a sell-out show at the Elgar Room in the Royal Albert Hall
and then at the Jazz Cafe in Camden as a part of the HMV
Next Big Thing Festival. In March 2011, Rhodes performed two concerts in London's West End at The Ambassadors Theatre. James then returned to the Cheltenham Music Festival
and performed at The Lichfield Festival
in July 2011.
Rhodes appeared at the Barbican Arts Centre in "A Classical Affair" with Stephen Fry
, Tim Lihoreau and Sir David Tang
in September 2011 and has been engaged to perform at the Melbourne Festival in October 2011.
music documentary celebrating Frédéric Chopin
’s 200th anniversary in December 2009. He is the star presenter and performer in the 90 minute programme which is a discovery of Chopin’s life and his relationship with the opera singer Jenny Lind
. This documentary broadcast in October 2010.
James Rhodes filmed a seven episode series called James Rhodes: Piano Man which aired on Sky Arts
2 in December 2010 and again in March 2011. In Piano Man, James plays the music of his favourite composers, including Bach
, Beethoven and Chopin, many of whom have had, like James, troubled lives. In this highly personal collection, James explains how they’ve given him solace in his darkest moments, and why we should all be listening.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
classical
Classical music
Classical music is the art music produced in, or rooted in, the traditions of Western liturgical and secular music, encompassing a broad period from roughly the 11th century to present times...
pianist
Pianist
A pianist is a musician who plays the piano. A professional pianist can perform solo pieces, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers, solo instrumentalists, or other performers.-Choice of genres:...
.
Early life
Born into a middle-class Jewish family in St John's WoodSt John's Wood
St John's Wood is a district of north-west London, England, in the City of Westminster, and at the north-west end of Regent's Park. It is approximately 2.5 miles north-west of Charing Cross. Once part of the Great Middlesex Forest, it was later owned by the Knights of St John of Jerusalem...
, North London
North London
North London is the northern part of London, England. It is an imprecise description and the area it covers is defined differently for a range of purposes. Common to these definitions is that it includes districts located north of the River Thames and is used in comparison with South...
, he was sent to a local public school where he claims he was abused by his gym teacher. Rhodes suffered mentally, and later had a back operation.
Age 7, he borrowed the CD of Beethoven’s Emperor Concerto from his father's collection, although he did not progress formally beyond Grade 3 piano tuition. After moving to a local boarding school, he then, from age 13 onwards, was educated at Harrow School
Harrow School
Harrow School, commonly known simply as "Harrow", is an English independent school for boys situated in the town of Harrow, in north-west London.. The school is of worldwide renown. There is some evidence that there has been a school on the site since 1243 but the Harrow School we know today was...
, where he worked with piano teacher Colin Stone. It was during this period that he entered the BBC Young Musician of the Year
BBC Young Musician of the Year
The BBC Young Musician of the Year is a televised national music competition. It is broadcast on BBC Two and BBC Four biennially, despite the name, and hosted by the British Broadcasting Corporation...
competition, but failed to make it past the second round.
In 1993, he was offered a scholarship to the Guildhall School of Music and Drama
Guildhall School of Music and Drama
Guildhall School of Music and Drama is an independent music and dramatic arts school which was founded in 1880 in London, England. Students can pursue courses in Music, Opera, Drama and Technical Theatre Arts.-History:...
. But in part due to mental health
Mental health
Mental health describes either a level of cognitive or emotional well-being or an absence of a mental disorder. From perspectives of the discipline of positive psychology or holism mental health may include an individual's ability to enjoy life and procure a balance between life activities and...
issues and his father's insistence, Rhodes took a psychology
Psychology
Psychology is the study of the mind and behavior. Its immediate goal is to understand individuals and groups by both establishing general principles and researching specific cases. For many, the ultimate goal of psychology is to benefit society...
degree at University College, London.
On graduation Rhodes took a job in the City of London
City of London
The City of London is a small area within Greater London, England. It is the historic core of London around which the modern conurbation grew and has held city status since time immemorial. The City’s boundaries have remained almost unchanged since the Middle Ages, and it is now only a tiny part of...
, and married an American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
writer who was ten years older than he was. The couple had a son but are now divorced.
Career
A fan of the Russian pianist Grigory SokolovGrigory Sokolov
Grigory Lipmanovich Sokolov is a concert pianist, often considered one of the greatest pianists alive. He was born April 18, 1950 in Saint Petersburg, Russia.-Biography:...
, Rhodes wrote to Sokolov’s agent Franco Panozzo in Italy, with the idea that Rhodes would become a music agent himself. Panozzo responded, and after Rhodes sent him a bottle of Champagne Krug
Champagne Krug
Champagne Krug—a "négociant-manipulateur" with offices in Reims, the main city in Champagne—was one of the famous Champagne houses who formed part of the membership of the Grande Marques. Krug Grande Cuvée is one of the crown jewels in the LVMH wine division, placed alongside the Moët et Chandon's...
, the pair arranged to meet in Italy. After hearing Rhodes play, Panozzo arranged for Rhodes to have a brief tutorage by the renowned piano teacher Edoardo Strabbioli in Verona Italy. However after a period Rhodes was sectioned, spending eight months in various hospitals in the United Kingdom and the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, after which his marriage broke down.
Returning to London, he met Canadian entrepreneur Denis Blais while practising at the Steinway Hall, Marylebone
Marylebone
Marylebone is an affluent inner-city area of central London, located within the City of Westminster. It is sometimes written as St. Marylebone or Mary-le-bone....
in 2008. Encouraged to record his first CD, and uncomfortable with the austere and traditional 'white tie and tails' recital, Rhodes and Blais decided it was time for the performer to communicate directly with the audience. Rhodes introduced his own programme notes to share with the audience what it takes to perform these works of art, using anecdotes about the composers and his own life experience.
2008/2009 saw his profile go from complete unknown to rising star, attracting celebrity followers such as Stephen Fry
Stephen Fry
Stephen John Fry is an English actor, screenwriter, author, playwright, journalist, poet, comedian, television presenter and film director, and a director of Norwich City Football Club. He first came to attention in the 1981 Cambridge Footlights Revue presentation "The Cellar Tapes", which also...
and Sir David Tang
David Tang
Sir David Tang, KBE is a Hong Kong businessman and socialite best known as the founder of the Shanghai Tang fashion chain, which he sold in 2006 to Richemont.Tang's grandfather "founded the Kowloon bus company and became one of Hong Kong’s greatest philanthropists"...
. Having performed in non-traditional classical venues, Rhodes built on this new revolutionary performance approach.
In March 2010, Rhodes became the first core classical pianist to be signed to the world's largest rock label Warner Bros. Records
Warner Bros. Records
Warner Bros. Records Inc. is an American record label. It was the foundation label of the present-day Warner Music Group, and now operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of that corporation. It maintains a close relationship with its former parent, Warner Bros. Pictures, although the two companies...
.
Concerts
Rhodes' first public recital was at Steinway HallSteinway Hall
Steinway Hall is the name of buildings housing concert halls, showrooms and sales departments for Steinway & Sons pianos. The first Steinway Hall was opened 1866 in New York City. Today, Steinway Halls and Steinway-Häuser are located in world cities such as New York City, London, Hamburg, Berlin,...
in London, on 7 November 2008. His second recital was at the Hinde Street Methodist Centre, London, on 4 December 2008. He performed his first full scale concert at the Queen Elizabeth Hall
Queen Elizabeth Hall
The Queen Elizabeth Hall is a music venue on the South Bank in London, United Kingdom that hosts daily classical, jazz, and avant-garde music and dance performances. The QEH forms part of Southbank Centre arts complex and stands alongside the Royal Festival Hall, which was built for the Festival...
, Southbank Centre, in London on 6 February 2009.
In May 2009, Rhodes performed a solo concert at The Roundhouse
The Roundhouse
The Roundhouse is a Grade II* listed former railway engine shed in Chalk Farm, London, England, which has been converted into a performing arts and concert venue. It was originally built in 1847 as a roundhouse , a circular building containing a railway turntable, but was only used for railway...
in Camden, the first classical musician to give a solo recital since the reopening. Rhodes has also played Proud Galleries in Camden; 100 Club
100 Club
The 100 Club is a music venue in London situated at 100 Oxford Street, W1, originally called The Feldman Swing Club.The 100 Club attained legendary status in modern British music, having played host to live music since 24 October 1942....
in Soho; Tabernacle, Notting Hill
Tabernacle, Notting Hill
The Tabernacle is a Grade II*-listed building in Powis Square, Notting Hill, west London, England, built in 1887. The building boasts a Curved Romanesque facade of red brick and terracotta, and towers with broach spires on either side...
and the nominations launch for the Classical BRIT Awards
Classical Brit Awards
The Classic BRIT Awards are an annual awards ceremony held in the United Kingdom covering aspects of classical music, and are the classical equivalent of pop music's BRIT Awards....
2009 WITH NS&I.
In March 2010, Rhodes performed at the Holders Season 2010 in Barbados
Barbados
Barbados is an island country in the Lesser Antilles. It is in length and as much as in width, amounting to . It is situated in the western area of the North Atlantic and 100 kilometres east of the Windward Islands and the Caribbean Sea; therein, it is about east of the islands of Saint...
. 2010 also saw him play at the Cheltenham Music Festival
Cheltenham Music Festival
The Cheltenham Music Festival is one of the oldest music festivals in Britain, held annually in Cheltenham in June/July since 1945. The festival is renowned for premieres of contemporary music, hosting over 250 music premieres as of July 2004....
, Hay Festival
Hay Festival
The Hay Festival of Literature & Arts is an annual literature festival held in Hay-on-Wye, Powys, Wales for ten days from May to June. Devised by Norman and Peter Florence in 1988, the festival was described by Bill Clinton in 2001 as "The Woodstock of the mind"...
and the Latitude Festival
Latitude Festival
The Latitude Festival is an annual music festival that takes place in Henham Park, Southwold, Suffolk, England. It was first held in July 2006....
, Suffolk
Suffolk
Suffolk is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in East Anglia, England. It has borders with Norfolk to the north, Cambridgeshire to the west and Essex to the south. The North Sea lies to the east...
.
In February 2011, Rhodes performed a sell-out show at the Elgar Room in the Royal Albert Hall
Royal Albert Hall
The Royal Albert Hall is a concert hall situated on the northern edge of the South Kensington area, in the City of Westminster, London, England, best known for holding the annual summer Proms concerts since 1941....
and then at the Jazz Cafe in Camden as a part of the HMV
HMV
His Master's Voice is a trademark in the music business, and for many years was the name of a large record label. The name was coined in 1899 as the title of a painting of the dog Nipper listening to a wind-up gramophone...
Next Big Thing Festival. In March 2011, Rhodes performed two concerts in London's West End at The Ambassadors Theatre. James then returned to the Cheltenham Music Festival
Cheltenham Music Festival
The Cheltenham Music Festival is one of the oldest music festivals in Britain, held annually in Cheltenham in June/July since 1945. The festival is renowned for premieres of contemporary music, hosting over 250 music premieres as of July 2004....
and performed at The Lichfield Festival
The Lichfield Festival
The Lichfield Festival is an annual multi-art-form festival held in Lichfield, Staffordshire, which aims to combine high quality, challenging and diverse events of an international calibre, alongside community-based, locally-sourced activities. Performances include drama, dance, film, literature,...
in July 2011.
Rhodes appeared at the Barbican Arts Centre in "A Classical Affair" with Stephen Fry
Stephen Fry
Stephen John Fry is an English actor, screenwriter, author, playwright, journalist, poet, comedian, television presenter and film director, and a director of Norwich City Football Club. He first came to attention in the 1981 Cambridge Footlights Revue presentation "The Cellar Tapes", which also...
, Tim Lihoreau and Sir David Tang
David Tang
Sir David Tang, KBE is a Hong Kong businessman and socialite best known as the founder of the Shanghai Tang fashion chain, which he sold in 2006 to Richemont.Tang's grandfather "founded the Kowloon bus company and became one of Hong Kong’s greatest philanthropists"...
in September 2011 and has been engaged to perform at the Melbourne Festival in October 2011.
Television
Rhodes completed filming a BBC FourBBC Four
BBC Four is a British television network operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation and available to digital television viewers on Freeview, IPTV, satellite and cable....
music documentary celebrating Frédéric Chopin
Frédéric Chopin
Frédéric François Chopin was a Polish composer and virtuoso pianist. He is considered one of the great masters of Romantic music and has been called "the poet of the piano"....
’s 200th anniversary in December 2009. He is the star presenter and performer in the 90 minute programme which is a discovery of Chopin’s life and his relationship with the opera singer Jenny Lind
Jenny Lind
Johanna Maria Lind , better known as Jenny Lind, was a Swedish opera singer, often known as the "Swedish Nightingale". One of the most highly regarded singers of the 19th century, she is known for her performances in soprano roles in opera in Sweden and across Europe, and for an extraordinarily...
. This documentary broadcast in October 2010.
James Rhodes filmed a seven episode series called James Rhodes: Piano Man which aired on Sky Arts
Sky Arts
Sky Arts and Sky Arts HD is the brand name for a group of art-oriented television channels offering 18 hours a day of programmes dedicated to highbrow arts, including theatrical performances, movies, documentaries and music...
2 in December 2010 and again in March 2011. In Piano Man, James plays the music of his favourite composers, including Bach
Bạch
Bạch is a Vietnamese surname. The name is transliterated as Bai in Chinese and Baek, in Korean.Bach is the anglicized variation of the surname Bạch.-Notable people with the surname Bạch:* Bạch Liêu...
, Beethoven and Chopin, many of whom have had, like James, troubled lives. In this highly personal collection, James explains how they’ve given him solace in his darkest moments, and why we should all be listening.
Discography
Albums- Razor Blades, Little Pills and Big Pianos (Feb 2009), Signum Records
- Now Would All Freudians Please Stand Aside (Mar 2010), Signum Records
- Bullets and Lullabies (Dec 2010), Warner Music Cover art by Dave Brown, Bollo from The Mighty BooshThe Mighty BooshThe Mighty Boosh is a British comedy troupe featuring comedians Julian Barratt and Noel Fielding. Developed from three stage shows and a six episode radio series, it has since spawned a total of twenty television episodes for BBC Three and two live tours of the UK, as well as two live shows in the...