Benjamin Frith & Heidi Rolfe

Forsyths are delighted to welcome back husband and wife piano duo, Benjamin Frith and Heidi Rolfe, for an evening showcasing the vibrant colors of French piano repertoire. Their program features rarely-heard gems by Lili Boulanger and Mel Bonis alongside Poulenc's brilliant two-piano concerto. Don't miss this opportunity to experience these exceptional artists in the intimate acoustic of our historic showroom.

Lili Boulanger (1893–1918)
"D'un matin de printemps" (1917) – Two Pianos (arr. Jean Françaix)

Mel Bonis (1858–1937)
Variations sur un thème original, Op. 85 – Two Pianos

Francis Poulenc (1899–1963)
Concerto in D minor for Two Pianos, FP 61- presented in the composer's Edition without Orchestra

Benjamin Frith

Prolific recitalist and recording artist, Benjamin Frith is one of the most versatile, respected and engaging pianists in the UK. 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, a best selling John Field Piano Concert cycle, Frith made Gramophone ‘Disc of the Year’ with his C.V.Stanford 2nd Piano Concerto and his Schumann Davidsbundler Op. 6 won top recommendation in the 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 to critical acclaim. Solo tours have taken him to America, Europe, the middle and far East with 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 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

After time spent riding racehorses, both in the UK and Italy, Heidi returned to continue her musical studies. Graduating with a Masters degree in Piano Performance, Heidi was singled out for many concerto performances and was awarded the gift of a Grand Piano. Throughout her education she was privileged to work with eminent pianists including the legendary André Gavrilov and take musical guidance from the late Dame Fanny Waterman.

Heidi was honoured to be asked to give a Piano Duo Day at the Wigmore Hall performing four hand and two piano repertoire with her husband, international concert artist Benjamin Frith. They have both explored the wonderful piano duo repertoire in recitals throughout the UK, both four hands at one piano and two piano works including recitals featuring the letters of Clara and Robert Schumann and Felix and Fanny Mendelssohn. Double Piano Concerto dates have included the Poulenc with the English Pro Musica. Heidi has also collaborated with the C.B.S.O players in many symphonic chamber arrangements.

Heidi’s varied repertoire includes works by female composers and much contemporary music; an interest in combining music and drama has led to award winning performances, broadcast by the BBC. Heidi played and tutored works by Gyorgy Kurtag at the Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival where she also gave the World Premiere of Tarot Conway’s Premiere Piano Concerto; other festival appearances include the Bradfield, Corbridge, Deal and Ludlow Piano Festival.

Future recording projects include the complete works for four hands wriKen for Heidi and Benjamin Frith by Martin Ellerby and a recording of works for two pianos

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Forsyth Brothers Limited, 126 Deansgate, Manchester, United Kingdom