British pianist Simon Callaghan‘s intelligent and compelling performances both on the concert platform and in the recording studio have earned him a reputation as an exciting and versatile artist of the new generation. Performance highlights include Rachmaninov’s Second Concerto at Birmingham’s Symphony Hall, Liszt’s First Concerto with the RLPO, Wigmore Hall, a chamber music recitals in South Korea and Japan and a gala concert with ENO principals. He has also broadcast on BBC Radio and has appeared on ITV and BBC Television.
Simon Callaghan‘s recent CD of English piano music on the De Rode Pomp label received rave reviews, including the following comment from musicweb‐international (2009):
“an essential purchase…one can ask nothing more…stunning playing”.
A further disc was released in March 2012, featuring world premiere recordings Delius’s orchestral works in arrangements for two pianos (Somm Records with Hiro Takenouchi); a second volume in this series will be released in July 2012. Simon has worked in chamber music with Tim Hugh, Jack Liebeck, the Barbirolli, Sacconi, Maggini and Carducci Quartets and Prunella Scales. In addition to this he appeared several times as conductor in collaborations with Samuel and Timothy West, more recently in Stravinsky’s The Soldier’s Tale.
The 2011/12 season sees Simon give numerous solo and chamber music recitals throughout the UK and abroad, including a return visit to the Banff Centre (Canada), recitals and masterclasses in Malaysia and a complete Beethoven Piano Trio cycle with Giovanni Guzzo and Ashok Klouda. He has also been appointed Head of Piano of the Ingenium Academy 2012, a summer music course where he will both teach and give recitals.
Following his studies at Chetham’s School of Music with Bernard Roberts, Simon was awarded a full scholarship to study with Yonty Solomon at the Royal College of Music, from where he graduated with first class honours and won numerous prizes. Simon has taken awards at the Bromsgrove International Competition, Jean Françaix Concours (Paris) and the Liverpool Young Musician of the Year, and is grateful to the Craxton Memorial Trust and to his sponsors for their continued support.