Grace Francis - Piano
Territories - General Management, Worldwide
“Grace Francis’s recital at Wigmore Hall last month is closely followed by this equally remarkable debut disc. She has a prodigious technique, so the bravura demands of Brahms’s Paganini Variations and Liszt’s Tarantella hold no terrors for her, and she makes Liszt’s intricate filigree writing a thing of enchantment. She revels, too, in the rhythmic energy of the Brahms C major sonata, but sounds a deep, glowing note in its slow-movement variations. This early opus, written when the composer was barely 20, is revealed as a work of extraordinary confidence and structural strength and subtlety. Schumann, when Brahms played it to him, wrote in his diary: “a genius”. It’s tempting to say the same of Francis. She’s certainly a pianist to watch.”
“I am delighted to be with the PIANOWORKS initiative...I am familiar with Grace Francis’s excellent playing, from when I invited her to perform with me and the European Youth Orchestra at the Lugano Festival.”
Grace Francis, born in London, began her musical journey at the prestigious Yehudi Menuhin School before studying under the renowned Irina Zaritskaya at the Royal College of Music. There, she was awarded the Chappell Gold Medal, the institution’s highest honor for pianists. Her dedication to her craft continued with a Wingate Scholarship, and she further distinguished herself by receiving the Hattori Foundation Award and winning the Nagrada Piano House Award in Zagreb.
Grace has captivated audiences across the UK, performing in esteemed London venues including Wigmore Hall, the Barbican, Cadogan Hall, and St. John’s Smith Square. Following the success of her critically acclaimed Brahms/Liszt album on the Quartz label, she was invited by Vladimir Ashkenazy to perform Grieg’s Piano Concerto in Lugano with him conducting the European Youth Orchestra. This success also led to her Carnegie Hall debut as part of the 'Distinctive Debuts' series.
‘Sacred’ was featured across BBC Radio 3 throughout International Women’s Day week.
In addition to her live performances, Grace has been featured multiple times on BBC Radio 3, including a recital at the Bath MozartFest. Her digital release, Sacred, received a special broadcast in 2015 for International Women’s Day.
Upcoming engagements include highly anticipated recitals at Bechstein Hall and Wigmore Hall.
For more information or bookings please contact her agent:
jonathan@hennesseybrownmusic.com
Mobile 07939 597760