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'{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2012}} {{Use British English|date=July 2012}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = James Rhodes | image = James rhodes pianist.jpg | caption = April 2009 | background = non_vocal_instrumentalist | birth_name = James Rhodes | birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1975|3|6}} | birth_place = [[London]], [[England]] | instrument = [[Piano]] | genre = [[Classical music|Classical]] | occupation = [[Pianist]] | label = Signum Records, [[Warner Bros. Records]] | website = {{URL|www.jamesrhodes.tv}} | years_active = 2009-present }} '''James Rhodes''' (born 6 March 1975 in [[London]]) is a [[British people|British]] [[classical music|classical]] [[pianist]]. ==Early life== Born into a middle-class [[Jew]]ish family in [[St John's Wood]], [[North London]]. He was educated at [[Arnold House School]], a local all-boys [[Independent school (United Kingdom)|independent]] [[Preparatory school (United Kingdom)|preparatory school]]. There, he experienced [[sexual abuse]] by his PE teacher, Peter Lee; having been arrested and charged, Lee died before appearing in court. Rhodes suffered mentally as well as physically, including spinal damage, eating disorders and [[PTSD]].<ref name ="Guardian - James Rhodes wins right to publish autobiography">{{cite news|last1=Cobain|first1=Ian|last2=Booth|first2=Robert|title=Pianist James Rhodes wins right to publish autobiography telling of abuse|url=http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/may/20/concert-pianist-james-rhodes-wins-right-to-publish-autobiography|accessdate=20 May 2015|work=The Guardian|date=20 May 2015}}</ref> Age 7, he borrowed the CD of [[Beethoven]]'s ''[[Emperor Concerto]]'' from his father's collection.{{citation needed|date=July 2013}} He was taught piano, but did not progress formally beyond [[ABRSM#Graded music exams|Grade 3]].<ref name="Guardian - James Rhodes wins right to publish autobiography" /> First moving to a local boarding school, he was educated at [[Harrow School]], where he worked with piano teacher Colin Stone, from the age of 13 onwards. It was during this period that he entered the [[BBC Young Musician of the Year]] competition, but failed to make it past the second round.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.spectator.co.uk/arts/arts-feature/6439433/the-accidental-pianist/|title=The accidental pianist |author=James Rhodes|publisher=The Spectator|date=November 2010|accessdate=2010-12-16}}</ref> In 1993, he was offered a scholarship to the [[Guildhall School of Music and Drama]].<ref name="Beethoven">Rhodes, James. "[http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/classical/article6336024.ece James Rhodes: how Beethoven became my drug]". ''[[The Times]]'', 22 May 2009.</ref> But in part due to [[mental health]] issues and his father's insistence, Rhodes took a [[psychology]] degree at [[University College, London]]. On graduation, Rhodes took a job in the [[City of London]], married American writer Kathleen Tessaro (b. 1965), had a son and later divorced. In 2014, Rhodes married Hattie Chamberlin. They live in London. ==Career== A fan of the [[Russian people|Russian]] pianist [[Grigory Sokolov]], Rhodes wrote to Sokolov's agent Franco Panozzo in Italy, with the idea that Rhodes would become a music agent himself.<ref name=Times5474670/> Panozzo responded, and after Rhodes sent him a bottle of [[Champagne Krug]], the pair arranged to meet in Italy. After hearing Rhodes play, Panozzo arranged for Rhodes to have a brief tutorage under the renowned piano teacher Edoardo Strabbioli in Verona, Italy. However after a period Rhodes was [[institutionalised]],<ref name=SpecTAP3>{{cite web|url=http://www.spectator.co.uk/arts-and-culture/featured/6439433/part_3/the-accidental-pianist.thtml|title=The accidental pianist - Page3|author=James Rhodes|publisher=The Spectator|date=November 2010|accessdate=2010-12-16}}</ref> spending eight months in various hospitals in the United Kingdom and the [[United States]], after which his marriage broke down.<ref name=Times5474670/> Returning to London, he met Canadian entrepreneur Denis Blais while practising at the [[Steinway Hall#London|Steinway Hall]], [[Marylebone]] in 2008. Encouraged to record his first CD, and uncomfortable with the austere and traditional 'white tie and tails' recital, Rhodes and Blais decided it was time for the performer to communicate directly with the audience. Rhodes introduced his own programme notes to share with the audience about what it takes to perform these works of art, using anecdotes about the composers and his own life experience. 2008/2009 saw his profile go from complete unknown to rising star, attracting celebrity followers such as [[Stephen Fry]], [[Benedict Cumberbatch]], and Sir [[David Tang]].{{citation needed|date=December 2010}} Having performed in non-traditional classical venues, Rhodes built on this performance approach. In March 2010, Rhodes became the first core classical pianist to be signed with the world's largest rock label [[Warner Bros. Records]].<ref name="James">Smith, Charlotte. "[http://www.gramophone.co.uk/classical-music-news/james-rhodes-signs-to-warner-bros-records James Rhodes signs to Warner Bros Records]". ''[[Gramophone (magazine)]]'', 25 March 2010.</ref> In 2011, Rhodes became a regular culture blogger for [[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]]<ref name=Telegraph>{{cite web|url=http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/culture/author/jamesrhodes/|title=James Rhodes Blog|author=James Rhodes|publisher=The Telegraph}}</ref> and had popular articles in [[The Guardian]] <ref name=Guardian>{{cite web|url=http://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2013/apr/26/james-rhodes-blog-find-what-you-love|title='Find what you love and let it kill you'|author=James Rhodes|publisher=The Guardian|date=April 2013|accessdate=2013-04-26}}</ref> Music Blog, 2013. Returning to his original label Signum Classics, Rhodes released his 4th album "JIMMY: James Rhodes recorded live at The Old Market Brighton" in May 2012.<ref name="JimmyIndy">Gill, Andy "[http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/classical/reviews/album-james-rhodes-jimmy-live-in-brighton-signum-classics-7766382.html Album: James Rhodes, Jimmy: Live in Brighton (Signum Classics)]" [[The Independent]]. 19 May 2012.</ref> Canongate acquired James Rhodes's memoir in 2013,<ref name=Instrumental>{{cite web|url=http://www.thebookseller.com/news/canongate-buys-rhodes-memoir.html|title=Canongate buys Rhodes memoir|publisher=The Bookseller|date=27 September 2013}}</ref> but James and Canongate were banned to publish the book. However, UK Supreme Court lifted injunction that had banned him from publishing a full account of his own life and the book will be publish in the end of May 2015.<ref>http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/may/20/concert-pianist-james-rhodes-wins-right-to-publish-autobiography</ref> == Concerts == Rhodes' first public recital was at [[Steinway Hall]] in London, on 7 November 2008. His second recital was at the Hinde Street Methodist Centre, London, on 4 December 2008. He performed his first full scale concert at the [[Queen Elizabeth Hall]], [[Southbank Centre]], in London on 6 February 2009.<ref name="Queen">Church, Michael. "[http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/classical/reviews/james-rhodes-queen-elizabeth-hall-london-1606129.html James Rhodes, Queen Elizabeth Hall, London]". ''[[The Independent]]'', 9 February 2009.</ref> In May 2009, Rhodes performed a solo concert at [[The Roundhouse]] in Camden, the first classical musician to give a solo recital since the reopening.<ref name="Roundhouse">Brown, Geoff. "[http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/live_reviews/article6288027.ece James Rhodes at Roundhouse, NW1]". ''[[The Times]]'', 15 May 2009.</ref> Rhodes has also played Proud Galleries in Camden; [[100 Club]] in Soho; [[Tabernacle, Notting Hill]] and the nominations launch for the [[Classical BRIT Awards]] 2009 WITH NS&I.<ref name="brit">"[http://www.classicfm.co.uk/music/music-news-and-features/classical-brit-awards-launch-2009/5/#content Classical BRIT Awards Launch 2009]". classicfm.co.uk, 20 April 2009.</ref> In March 2010, Rhodes performed at the Holders Season 2010 in [[Barbados]].<ref name="holders">"[http://www.nationnews.com/news/local/holders-season-2010-james-rhodes-cavite-chorale-copy-for-web A Classical Evening]". ''[[The Daily Nation (Barbados)]]'', 21 March 2010.</ref> 2010 also saw him play at the [[Cheltenham Music Festival]], [[Hay Festival]] and the [[Latitude Festival]], [[Suffolk]]. In February 2011, Rhodes performed a sold-out show at the Elgar Room in the [[Royal Albert Hall]] <ref name="albert">Maddocks, Fiona. "[http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2011/feb/13/philharmonia-salonen-britten-james-rhodes James Rhodes – review]". ''[[The Observer]]'', 13 February 2011.</ref> and then at the Jazz Cafe in Camden as a part of the [[HMV]] Next Big Thing Festival. In March 2011, Rhodes performed two concerts in London's West End at The [[Ambassadors Theatre]].<ref name="ambassadors">Nugent, John. "[http://londonist.com/2011/03/live-music-review-james-rhodes-the-ambassadors-theatre.php Live Music Review: James Rhodes @ The Ambassador’s Theatre]". londonist.com, 18 March 2011.</ref> James then returned to the [[Cheltenham Music Festival]] and performed at [[The Lichfield Festival]] <ref name="lichfield">"[http://www.lichfieldfestival.org/blog/2011/07/james-rhodes/ Lichfield Festival Late Night Series, James Rhodes]". Lichfield Festival, 13 July 2011.</ref> in July 2011. Rhodes appeared at the [[Barbican Arts Centre]] in "A Classical Affair" with [[Stephen Fry]], Tim Lihoreau and Sir [[David Tang]]<ref name="barbican">"[http://www.barbican.org.uk/music/event-detail.asp?ID=12606 A Classical Affair. An evening of music and discussion with Stephen Fry]". Barbican, 26 September 2011.</ref> in September 2011. Then in October 2011 James performed an 11 date tour of Australia which was launched at the [[Melbourne International Arts Festival]].<ref name="melbourne">Lesnie, Melissa. "[http://www.limelightmagazine.com.au/Article/263395,melbourne-international-arts-festival-unveils-2011-program.aspx Melbourne International Arts Festival unveils 2011 program]". Limelight Magazine, 12 July 2011.</ref> In September 2012 Rhodes had his debut performance in the US at the International Beethoven Festival in Chicago, Illinois.<ref name="chicago">"[http://www.classicfm.com/artists/james-rhodes/news/james-rhodes-unusual-practice-habits/ James Rhodes' unusual practice habits]". ClassicFM.com, 14 August 2012.</ref> Rhodes performed in Hong Kong, at the [[Konzerthaus, Vienna]], the [[Barber Institute of Fine Arts]] in Birmingham, the Royal Albert Hall's Elgar Room, Cheltenham Music Festival, the Waterfront stage at [[Latitude Festival]] and a series of concerts at the [[Soho Theatre]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/victoria-sadler/review-james-rhodes-soho-theatre_b_3657863.html|title=Review: James Rhodes, Soho Theatre|author=Victoria Sadler|publisher=Huffington Post|date=July 2013|accessdate=2013-07-26}}</ref> in London in 2013. Rhodes was invited back to the Soho Theatre<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/victoria-sadler/james-rhodes-one-man-classical_b_5033579.html|title=James Rhodes' One Man Classical Music Revolution Gathers Pace|author=Victoria Sadler|publisher=Huffington Post|date=March 2014|accessdate=2014-03-27}}</ref> in March 2014 and has engagements with Hay Festival and Harrogate International Festivals for the Summer. ==Television== Rhodes completed filming a [[BBC Four]] music documentary celebrating [[Frédéric Chopin]]’s 200th anniversary in December 2009. He is the star presenter and performer in the 90 minute programme, which is a discovery of Chopin’s life and his relationship with the opera singer [[Jenny Lind]]. This documentary was broadcast in October 2010. James Rhodes filmed a seven episode series called ''James Rhodes: Piano Man'' <ref name="sky">"[http://www.skyarts.co.uk/music/article/james-rhodes-piano-man James Rhodes: Piano Man]". skyarts.co.uk</ref> which aired on [[Sky Arts]] 2 in December 2010 and again in March 2011. In ''Piano Man'', James plays the music of his favourite composers, including [[Bach]], Beethoven and Chopin, many of whom, like James, had troubled lives. In this highly personal collection, James explains how they’ve given him solace in his darkest moments, and why we should all be listening. In July 2013, he presented ''Notes from the Inside with James Rhodes'' on [[Channel 4]] as part of their ''Mad4Music'' season of programmes, in which each episode featured musicians from across the musical spectrum giving an alternative take on music and what it means to them and others around them; for example the second episode featured [[Björk]] being interviewed by Sir [[David Attenborough]]. During his programme, he both gave some spoken insights into his personal life over the previous few years and also played piano to four individual [[mental hospital]] patients, all dealing with their own mental health issues, inside their [[psychiatric hospital]] by selecting a piece for each of them to match their personalities and individual circumstances,<ref name="C4 2013 programme">{{cite episode|title=Notes from the Inside with James Rhodes|url=http://www.channel4.com/programmes/notes-from-the-inside-with-james-rhodes/episode-guide|accessdate=24 July 2013|station=Channel 4|date=24 July 2013|transcript=|transcripturl=}}</ref> including "[[In the Hall of the Mountain King]]" ([[Edvard Grieg]]), "[[Prelude in C-sharp minor (Rachmaninoff)|Prelude in C-sharp minor]]" ([[Sergei Rachmaninoff]]), "Melody from Orfeo ed Euridice" ([[Christoph Willibald Gluck]]) and "Widmung" ([[Robert Schumann]]). Rhodes filmed a two-part campaigning series called ''Don't Stop the Music'' (working title ''The Great Instrument Amnesty'') <ref name="C4 2014 programme">"[http://www.channel4.com/info/press/news/channel-4-to-strike-a-chord-with-the-great-instrument-amnesty Channel 4 to strike a chord with 'The Great Instrument Amnesty']". channel4.com, 1 April 2014.</ref> that was aired on [[Channel 4]] in September 2014, with the aim of improving music education across the UK. The multiplatform project included an instrument amnesty which collected over 6,000 instruments to redistribute to 150 UK primary schools.<ref>http://www.dontstopthemusic.co.uk/</ref> == Discography == '''Albums''' *''Razor Blades, Little Pills and Big Pianos'' (Feb 2009), Signum Records<ref name="reviews">Hewett, Ivan "[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/classicalmusic/4612256/Classical-CD-reviews---Simon-Bolivar-Youth-Orchestra-James-Rhodes-and-more.html Classical CD reviews - Simón Bolívar Youth Orchestra, James Rhodes and more]". ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]''. 18 February 2009.</ref><ref name="blogs">Jones, Rick '[http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/composersoftheyear2009/2009/02/siberian_dido.shtml Siberian Dido, review for 'Razor Blades, Little Pills and Big Pianos' ]". ''[[BBC Radio 3]]''. 20 February 2009.</ref><ref name="beat">Midgette, Annette "[http://voices.washingtonpost.com/the-classical-beat/2009/09/whats_in_a_name.html The Classical Beat - What's In a Name]" ''[[The Washington Post]]''. 9 September 2009.</ref><ref name="jed">Distler, Jed "[http://www.classicstoday.com/review.asp?ReviewNum=12384 9/10 review for 'Razor Blades, Little Pills and Big Pianos'] classicstoday.com. 11 September 2009</ref> *''Now Would All Freudians Please Stand Aside'' (Mar 2010), Signum Records<ref name="pointers">Woolf, Peter Grahame "[http://www.musicalpointers.co.uk/reviews/cddvd10/RhodesSignum2.html Musical Pointers review for 'Now Would All Freudians Please Stand Aside']" musicalpointers.co.uk. 15 March 2010.</ref><ref name="downloads">Silverman, Laura "[http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/article7075857.ece The Times Top Downloads recommends James Rhodes]" ''[[The Times]]''. 26 March 2010.</ref><ref name="clown">Thompson, Damian "[http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/culture/damianthompson/100006974/why-does-this-clown-think-he-can-play-late-beethoven/#postComment Why does this clown think he can play late Beethoven]" ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]''. 8 March 2010.</ref> *''Bullets and Lullabies'' (Dec 2010), [[Warner Music]] <ref name="bbc">Gardner, Charlotte "[http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/r8b6 BBC Review]" [[BBC Music]]. 8 December 2010.</ref><ref name="guardian">Maddocks, Fiona "[http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2010/dec/26/james-rhodes-bullets-lullabies-review James Rhodes: Bullets and Lullabies – review]" ''[[The Observer]]''. 26 December 2010.</ref><ref name="independent">Gill, Andy "[http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/classical/reviews/album-james-rhodes-bullets-amp-lullabies-warner-bros-2178600.html Album: James Rhodes, Bullets & Lullabies (Warner Bros)]" ''[[The Independent]]''. 7 January 2011.</ref> Cover art by Dave Brown, Bollo from [[The Mighty Boosh]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.spectator.co.uk/arts-and-culture/featured/6439433/part_4/the-accidental-pianist.thtml|title=The accidental pianist - Page4|author=James Rhodes|publisher=The Spectator|date=November 2010|accessdate=2010-12-16}}</ref> *''JIMMY: James Rhodes Live in Brighton'' (May 2012), Signum Records<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.musicweb-international.com/classRev/2012/Oct12/James_Rhodes_live_SIGCD308.htm|title=Album: James Rhodes, Jimmy: Live in Brighton|author=Brian Reinhart|publisher=Musicweb International|date=October 2012|accessdate=2012-10-01}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hivemag.com/james-rhodes-jimmy-live-in-brighton-album-review/|title=James Rhodes – ‘Jimmy: Live In Brighton’ – Album Review|author=Alice Buxton|publisher=Hive Magazine|date=May 2012|accessdate=2012-05-01}}</ref> *''5'' (release date Jun 2014), Instrumental Records ==References== {{Reflist}} ==External links== *{{official website|www.jamesrhodes.tv|James Rhodes}} – official site *{{official website|www.signumrecords.com|Signum Classics}} – official site *{{twitter|JRhodesPianist|James Rhodes @JRhodesPianist}} *{{official website|http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/culture/author/jamesrhodes/|James Rhodes [[The Daily Telegraph]]}} - official Telegraph Blog *{{facebook|jamesrhodespiano|James Rhodes /jamesrhodespiano}} * [http://www.dontstopthemusic.co.uk Don't Stop the Music], music education initiative with Channel 4 *[http://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2013/apr/26/james-rhodes-blog-find-what-you-love "James Rhodes: 'Find what you love and let it kill you'"] - "[[The Guardian]]" article *[http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/culture/jamesrhodes/100067072 ''Outrage at Jimmy Savile conceals the fact that our culture encourages paedophilia. Believe me, I know what I'm talking about''] – ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'' article {{Authority control}} {{Persondata <!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]]. --> | NAME = Rhodes, James | ALTERNATIVE NAMES = | SHORT DESCRIPTION = British musician | DATE OF BIRTH = 6 March 1975 | PLACE OF BIRTH = [[London]], UK | DATE OF DEATH = | PLACE OF DEATH = }} {{DEFAULTSORT:Rhodes, James}} [[Category:1975 births]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:Alumni of University College London]] [[Category:English classical pianists]] [[Category:English Jews]] [[Category:Jewish classical pianists]] [[Category:People educated at Harrow School]] [[Category:People from St John's Wood]] [[Category:People with bipolar disorder]]'