Biography
Kelvin Grout had his first piano lesson at the age of three and won his first competition when he was six. He studied piano accompaniment at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London, his teachers included, Graham Johnson, Paul Hamburger, Gerald Moore, David Wilde and Geoffrey Parsons. During his studies he was invited to assist Elisabeth Schwarzkopf in her studio at her home in Zurich and at many of her masterclasses around Europe, this relationship lasted more than six years. Subsequently he enjoyed an international career as a vocal accompanist working with many of the worlds greatest lieder singers including, Jessye Norman, Gundela Janowitz, Inessa Galante, Elly Ameling, Sarah Walker, Nancy Argenta, Tom Krause, Robert Tear and Maarten Koningsberger.
After accompanying Schwarzkopf at her classes in Amsterdam, Kelvin decided to make his home in the Netherlands, teaching at the Rotterdam Conservatory, and giving classes and lessons at many other institutions in the Netherlands and around Europe. He taught at Boston University in the USA where he was offered the position of head of department – collaborative pianists. His speciality as an accompanist is in the songs of Hugo Wolf and Elisabeth Schwarzkopf once quoted, ‘if you are going to sing songs by Hugo Wolf, then you most definitely need Kelvin Grout, at the piano.’
Kelvin gave numerous concerts/talks under the name, ‘Behind the Notes’ where he humorously revealed the secrets of life as an accompanist working with singers. This received critical acclaim and a film documentary was produced.
Kelvin Grout appeared as one of six pianists in concerts and on CD for the composition ‘Grote Archipel’ from Dutch composer Daan Manneke.
In recent years Kelvin has returned to the solo stage, giving many recitals and workshops. His first solo CD was a recording of music from Frank Bridge including the seldom heard Piano Sonata. This recording received the very highest critical acclaim and was followed with recordings of music from Arnold Bax and William Baines. He is now preparing two new CDs for which you can read more in the menu under ‘Project 70’.
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