Benjamin retuned to Paris last week for two concerts as part of his post as Artist-in-Residence with France Musique. He performed the Britten Piano Concerto with Orchestra Philharmonique de Radio France conducted by Krzysztof Urbánski, and subsequently recorded the Strauss Piano Quartet with members of the orchestra. The latter will be broadcast in April 2021.
Ahead of his performance with Orchestra Philharmonique de Radio France, Benjamin was L’invité du jour on France Musique, and host Lionel Esparza dedicated a one hour episode of his programme 'Relax' to Benjamin’s discography.
The news comes following the success of Benjamin's latest Liszt recording, which was awarded a Diapason D’Or last month.
Benjamin gave his first concert as Artist-in-Residence with Radio France in September 2021, performing Rachmaninov Piano Concerto No.2 with l’Orchestre National de France (“a masterful performance ... The brilliant British pianist delivered a reading of impressive height and nobility ... His way of sculpting each phrase irresistibly evokes the simplicity of Rachmaninov himself" - Diapason). The concert marked the opening night of the orchestra's 2020-2021 season, and Cristian Măcelaru’s first as musical director.