Orchestral Zone

Following professional recognition as the most outstanding amateur classical piano talent in the UK, Formula One racing car designer Dominic Piers Smith has now realised his dreams to perform with a world-class orchestra at London’s prestigious Royal Festival Hall at Southbank centre.

Presented by the London Philharmonic Orchestra and Raymond Gubbay in association with Yamaha, Dominic will perform Rachmaninov’s 2nd Piano Concerto with the Orchestra conducted by Eivind Gullberg Jensen on Saturday 14th February 2009 at a special Valentine’s Day concert.

The evening will also feature the Orchestra performing Wagner’s Prelude and Liebestod from Tristan und Isolde and Dvorak’s Symphony No.9 ‘From the New World’.

Last November saw the 32-year-old Oxford-based aerodynamicist winning the final of the acclaimed ‘Pianists’ Competition for Outstanding Amateurs, presented by Yamaha and Classic FM at Cadogan Hall.

Dominic wowed a heavyweight panel of classical judges comprising international artists Noriko Ogawa, Piers Lane, Martin Roscoe and Barry Wordsworth with his dynamic and expressive performances of music by Debussy and Chopin. He was also voted winner of the prestigious ‘Audience Favourite’ award, by the sold-out capacity audience at the event.

Dominic Piers Smith is a remarkable young man who, when he isn’t playing the piano, can be found working as team leader for the aerodynamic design group at the Honda Formula One racing team in Brackley, Northants. Music took a back seat while he studied aeronautics at Imperial College, later collaborating with the Ferrari Formula One team and then progressing to aerodynamicist for the American Indy Racing League cars. His first design won the prestigious Indianapolis 500 at the hands of Juan Pablo Montoya. He has now been with Honda for 7 years.

Having taken up the piano at the age of 6, Dominic won a scholarship two years later to study at Trinity College of Music in London where he continued until A-levels. During this time he performed regularly as a soloist and accompanist and won many awards for performance, including the Billy Mayerl Jazz Bursary. The culmination of his musical activities during his studies at Trinity was his performance of Tchaikovsky’s Second Piano Concerto at the Royal Academy of Music. Dominic also performed at Southwark Cathedral, Wigmore Hall, the Edinburgh Festival and St John’s Smith Square during his years at Trinity College.

Unique to the UK, the Yamaha ‘Pianists’ Competition is now established as the most significant biennial event of the musical calendar for outstanding amateurs. The scheme provides a high profile, professionally produced showcase for the country’s most passionate adult amateur classical and jazz piano players and assists them in reaching new levels whilst promoting piano repertoire and piano playing to new audiences. The concert also raises funds for the Teenage Cancer Trust.

Dominic Piers Smith told us, “The opportunity to play a concerto with the London Philharmonic Orchestra is, quite literally, a dream come true – and a long way from the living room for someone like myself! Winning ‘The Pianists’ competition has made this possible and exceeded all my expectations. I was extremely honoured just to find myself playing the music of two masters of the keyboard – Debussy and Chopin – in the final in front of a capacity audience at such a prestigious venue as Cadogan Hall – and on a world class Yamaha concert grand piano! Now I’m looking forward to performing at the Royal Festival Hall with the London Philharmonic Orchestra – I can’t quite believe it!”

Yamaha’s Senior Director, Mike Ketley comments, “For exceptionally talented amateur pianists like Dominic, the chance to perform with the London Philharmonic Orchestra would otherwise be impossible. There are many competitions for young, up-coming pianists, but ‘The Pianists’ scheme is unique in that it offers a real performance platform for talented adults who play for the sheer love of it. Yamaha strongly believe these people deserve a wider audience and the opportunity to fulfill their dreams by playing at a prestigious concert venue in London.”

The concert will commence at 7.30pm and ticket prices start at £12.50. Further information is available from Southbank Centre’s Ticket Office on 0871 663 2500 or by visiting www.southbankcentre.co.uk.

http://www.thepianists.co.uk