Benjamin Baker

Benjamin Baker

Key Facts

Biography

Over the last year Benjamin has won 1st Prize at the 2016 Young Concert Artists auditions in New York and  3rd Prize at the Michael Hill Competition in New Zealand, establishing a strong international presence.

Engagements this season include debut recitals at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., Merkin Concert Hall in New York, Festspiele Mecklenburg-Vorpommern in Germany and 3 Palaces Festival in Malta.   He returns to Wigmore Hall and undertakes tours of the US, China, Argentina and Chile.

Highlights during 2016/17 included appearances as soloist with the Philharmonia, Royal Philharmonic, Auckland Philharmonia, English Chamber, Royal Northern Sinfonia, Sinfonia Cymru, Orchestra Sinfonica Abruzzese L’Aquila in Italy and Maui Pops Orchestras.   He premiered a new Concerto Stranded by Matthew Kaner for Europe Day at St. John’s Smith Square and returned as Fellow to the Steans Music Institute in Ravinia.

Benjamin has given recitals at festivals across Europe including the Parnu, Steirisches Kammermusik, Gstaad, Klosters, Salisbury, Bath, Cheltenham, Buxton, Northern Chords and East Neuk Festivals.   He has appeared as soloist with the Royal New Zealand Ballet Company and toured throughout New Zealand.   In 2015 he released his first CD for Champs Hill Records which immediately went to No.12 in the Classical Charts.

Born in 1990 in New Zealand, Benjamin studied at the Yehudi Menuhin School and the Royal College of Music where he was awarded the Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Rose Bowl.   He was selected by Young Classical Artists Trust in 2013 and in the same year won 1st Prize at the  Windsor International Competition.

Hugely popular in New Zealand Benjamin returns whenever he is able, to give concerts and appear on radio and television. He moved to the UK in 1998 with his family to study at the Yehudi Menuhin School, on the recommendation of Nigel Kennedy. He is very grateful to be awarded Honorary Membership of the Rotary Club of Port Nicholson for his commitment to children’s charities.

Benjamin plays on a Tononi violin (1709) on generous loan from a private individual. He is also grateful for support from the Wallace Foundation and Carne Trust.

Twitter: @BenjaminBakerVN

 

Musicians’ Company Award: RCM Lambert Scholarship 2013 

Page Last Updated: 2017

News