Biography
Pianist Siwan Rhys concentrates on contemporary repertoire, whether appearing alone, alongside chamber colleagues, or within larger groups. She frequently works directly with composers to develop fresh pieces and serves on the faculty of the London Contemporary School of Piano. Several of her recordings document new music, among them the 2024 NMC anthology Letting the Light In, devoted to disabled British composers.
Born and raised in North Wales, Rhys traces her decision to enter the profession to her first piano instructor, Christopher Vale. After studying at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, she continued at the Conservatoire National de Rennes in France and at London’s Guildhall School of Music and Drama, where she later became an Artist Fellow. She has named Richard Ormrod, Alexandre Léger, and Rolf Hind among her principal mentors. Together with percussionist George Barton she forms the GBSR Duo, whose early-2010s releases include Karlheinz Stockhausen’s Kontakte and Oliver Leith’s good day good day bad day bad day.
Now resident in London, Rhys maintains an active schedule centered on contemporary works. She has performed at Wigmore Hall and Barbican Hall, at Hamburg’s Elbphilharmonie, and at Carnegie Hall, appearing with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, the Birmingham Contemporary Music Group, and additional ensembles. Engagements in East and Southeast Asia have taken her to Shanghai Symphony Hall and Singapore’s Esplanade. Mezzo-soprano Lucy Goddard is a frequent partner. Festival appearances encompass the BBC Proms, the Aldeburgh Festival, and the Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival, while broadcasts on British television and radio have also featured her playing. Solo discs include Seeds of Time: Meditations for Piano Composed by Mark Darvill. In 2023 she joined the Explore Ensemble for Perfect Offering on Huddersfield Contemporary Records; the following year she contributed to Letting the Light In on NMC. She continues to teach at the London Contemporary School of Piano and holds honorary membership in the Welsh Gorsedd of Bards.
Born and raised in North Wales, Rhys traces her decision to enter the profession to her first piano instructor, Christopher Vale. After studying at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, she continued at the Conservatoire National de Rennes in France and at London’s Guildhall School of Music and Drama, where she later became an Artist Fellow. She has named Richard Ormrod, Alexandre Léger, and Rolf Hind among her principal mentors. Together with percussionist George Barton she forms the GBSR Duo, whose early-2010s releases include Karlheinz Stockhausen’s Kontakte and Oliver Leith’s good day good day bad day bad day.
Now resident in London, Rhys maintains an active schedule centered on contemporary works. She has performed at Wigmore Hall and Barbican Hall, at Hamburg’s Elbphilharmonie, and at Carnegie Hall, appearing with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, the Birmingham Contemporary Music Group, and additional ensembles. Engagements in East and Southeast Asia have taken her to Shanghai Symphony Hall and Singapore’s Esplanade. Mezzo-soprano Lucy Goddard is a frequent partner. Festival appearances encompass the BBC Proms, the Aldeburgh Festival, and the Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival, while broadcasts on British television and radio have also featured her playing. Solo discs include Seeds of Time: Meditations for Piano Composed by Mark Darvill. In 2023 she joined the Explore Ensemble for Perfect Offering on Huddersfield Contemporary Records; the following year she contributed to Letting the Light In on NMC. She continues to teach at the London Contemporary School of Piano and holds honorary membership in the Welsh Gorsedd of Bards.
Albums
