Ben Goldscheider is the only student of the great Czech Horn player Radek Baborak at the Barenboim-Said Academy in Berlin. The son of professional string players, Goldscheider started to learn the cello, but turned to French horn when he was diagnosed with the lung condition Bronchiectasis at the age of six, as a way of strengthening his lungs. Progress was rapid, and at the age of 18 he won the brass category of the BBC Young Musician competition in 2016, the year that cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason ultimately triumphed.

Goldscheider’s competition programme included works that he has now recorded for his debut disc, released by Willowhayne Records and reviewed on page 62, not least Esa-Pekka Salonen’s extraordinary Concert Etude for solo horn, which demonstrates the sheer range of sound and the athleticism the instrument is capable of. As well as contemporary solo pieces-bold choices for any debut disc-Goldscheider is joined by pianist Daniel Hill in worms by Schumann, York Bowen, Krufft and Kirchner.

As Goldscheider puts it, his intention is “to capture the development of the horn as it grew from its natural state with no valves, to the full double chromatic horn today”, and this debut album showcases the music’s resulting increase in virtuosity.

Such an exploratory personality, as well as musical maturity and technical ease, bodes well for Goldscheider’s development. We’ll be hearing a lot more of him.

Ben chosen as BBC Music Magazine “RISING STAR”

1.Where were you born?

London, United Kingdom.

2.What has been the highlight of your career so far?

To choose one is simply too difficult and also a shame so therefore I will have to be difficult and choose two. Being involved throughout the entire process of BBC Young Musician was just remarkable and to get to the final and experience that atmosphere was really astounding. Also my debut in the Philarmonie Berlin was an experience I will never forget.  To play to a sold out hall as iconic as that was a dream come true.

3.Who is your musical hero?

Daniel Barenboim. What he has managed to achieve and experience in his life of music is quite remarkable and I think he really sets the benchmark for what is possible both artistically and culturally in the context of being a musician.  For me, he really shows an unrivalled passion for his art and it’s incredibly inspiring.

4.What would be your dream concert?

I think without a shadow of a doubt to commission a concerto at the BBC Proms. I have such a passion for promoting the horn as a solo instrument, with a particular focus for new music that that would really be the pinnacle of everything I want to do.

On the 21st February 2018, Ben chatted with Katie Derham on the BBC Radio 3 In Tune Programme. Click the link below to hear his interview plus a performance of music by Beethoven, Strauss and York Bowen.

LISTEN HERE

26 days left to listen at the date of publication 24/02/18

“When it comes to horn repertoire, one would be shooting themselves in the foot if they started to get picky!”

Read the full interview concerning Ben’s Debut album, horn repertoire and future plans HERE

“This is a very striking debut, Goldscheider plays with remarkable technical facility but more importantly a maturity which brings a nice depth to the Romantic repertoire. It is also a well put-together and rather fascinating progamme.”

Read the full review HERE

This summer, Ben will make his first appearance at the Verbier Festival with Sergei Babayan and others to perform the Dohnanyi Sextet.

More information available here : INFO

Read Ben’s interview with the “Music Teacher” magazine on moving to Berlin to study, his teachers and his early musical upbringing.

Perfect Match