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Benjamin Frith Biography
Steinway Artist Benjamin Frith is one of the most versatile, respected and engaging pianists in the UK. A prolific recitalist and recording artist with over 80 recordings – from Scarlatti to MacMillan – and many acclaimed reviews, Frith is at the forefront of the craft of music making.
Gold Medal winner of the Artur Rubinstein Piano Masters International
Competition, Tel Aviv, and Top Prize Winner in the Busoni International Piano Competition, Frith has performed with many of the worlds finest orchestras and conductors. Zubin Mehta with the IPO and Mosche Atzmon with the Warsaw Philharmonic amongst some of Frith’s many memorable musical experiences.
Renowned for his critically acclaimed recordings, including a classical chart topping John Field Piano Concerto cycle, Gramophone ‘Disc of the Year’ with C.V.Stanford’s 2nd Piano Concerto and Schumann Davidsbundler Op. 6 winning top recommendation in Radio 3 ‘CD Review’. In high demand as both soloist and chamber musician, Frith enjoys a busy and versatile career. As pianist in the Gould Piano Trio he has toured extensively throughout North America; and as guest pianist in the illustrious Nash Ensemble he has performed and recorded (Hyperion) to critical acclaim. June 2025 saw the Naxos release of The Essential Benjamin Frith album.
Solo tours have taken Frith to America, Europe, the middle and far East and Festival appearances include Edinburgh, Aldeburgh, Kfar Blum, Lofoten, Kuhmo, NCPA India. Upcoming solo tours to Japan. Current recording projects include the complete solo piano music of British composer Martin Ellerby and
a Marschner Piano Trio cycle for Naxos.
Benjamin Frith was a life student of the late Dame Fanny Waterman and lives in Yorkshire with his wife and piano duo partner, Heidi Rolfe.
‘Does any pianist draw a lovelier sound from the keyboard or phrase more
naturally….’ BBC Music Magazine
‘…he possesses a formidable talent both musically and technically’
Gramophone
Heidi Rolfe Biography
As member of the exciting and esteemed Frith Rolfe Piano Duo, Heidi performs two piano repertoire and four hand works in recitals throughout the UK and abroad with her husband, Steinway Artist Benjamin Frith. The Frith Rolfe Duo received the honour of invitation to give a complete Piano Duo Day at Wigmore Hall and have appeared at many of the UK’s leading Festivals and venues. Much in demand their performances are renown for their synchronicity, insight, intensity and sheer impact of spontaneity. Double Piano Concerto performances and collaboration with CBSO Players have run alongside Heidi’s solo performances and broadcasts for BBC Radio 3.
As an advocate of contemporary music, Heidi performed and tutored works by
György Kurtág at the Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival where she also gave the World Premiere of Tarot Conway’s Premiere Piano Concerto. Later this year brings the release of ‘Trinitas’, an album of solo and four hand works by Martin Ellerby. Future recording projects include works for two pianos and the latter part of the year sees a recording and recital of works by Delius; being
sponsored by the Delius Society to promote the works of this British composer.
Taking musical guidance from the late Dame Fanny Waterman and having the
privilege to work with the legendary and inspirational Andre Gavrilov, Heidi
continues to develop her musical insights and enjoys sharing her knowledge.
Invited as a Faculty member at Chetham’s International Piano Summer School
this year Heidi is also a Main Panel Examiner for the ABRSM. In formative years Heidi spent time spent riding racehorses in the UK and Italy.
Returning to her musical studies and completing an MA in Piano Performance
with Sally Ann McLeod, Heidi was singled out for many concerto performances and was awarded the gift of a Grand Piano. Heidi is a published composer (Stainer and Bell).
