Benjamin Hopkins

Benjamin, age 20, is from Rochester, New York. His Solo Recital will take place Saturday, June 5 at 5:20 pm:

FRÉDÉRIC CHOPIN Nocturne no. 8 in D–flat major, Opus 27, no. 2

FRÉDÉRIC CHOPIN Étude no. 2 in A minor, Opus 10, no. 2

LOWELL LIEBERMANN Gargoyles, Opus 29
IV. Presto feroce

JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH Partita no. 2 in C Minor, BWV 826
I. Sinfonia: Grave adagio – Andante
II. Allemande
III. Courante
IV. Sarabande
V. Rondeaux
VI. Capriccio

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His Duo, Concerto, and Solo program will be performed at 10:40 a.m. on Monday, June 7:

FRÉDÉRIC CHOPIN Ballade no. 4 in F minor, Opus 52

JOHANNES BRAHMS Sonata for violin and piano no. 2 in A major, Opus 100
I. Allegro amabile

LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN Concerto No. 1 in C major, Opus 15
I. Allegro con brio

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ABOUT BENJAMIN

Speaking about audiences at his performances, Benjamin Hopkins says that his goal is for the audience to hear something that opens their ears and hearts and gives them “a new and unforgettable experience.” That is an experience that Ben has on a regular basis as an avid concertgoer himself.

Now living in Los Angeles, Ben takes every opportunity to hear world-class performers in concert and opera. He says that these experiences have been “invaluable in shaping my broader musical understanding and feeling for style.” He loves the symphonies by Ludwig van Beethoven, especially Symphony no. 7. in A major, Opus 92, and is a huge opera fan. Ben also enjoys jazz; one of his favorite pianists is Keith Jarrett.

A highlight of Ben’s performing experience was the opportunity to play Edvard Grieg’s Piano Concerto in A minor, Opus 16 with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra. The Rochester Philharmonic League Young Artist Auditions presented him in this performance after he won their 2008 Special Award and Ness Award. Also in 2008, Ben won the first place prize in Rochester’s Hochstein School of Music and Dance Recital Competition. In 2007, he won first place prize in New York State’s 1000 Islands International Piano Competition.

A native of Rochester, Ben studies with Norman Krieger at the Thornton School of Music at the University of Southern California. When he can, Ben enjoys performing for diverse audiences, especially those still in high school. He believes strongly in reaching out to new audiences.