Benjamin joins us in 2025 to perform Sinfonia Concertante K.364 (320d) in E-flat major in SECRETS on Saturday 20 September and Glazunov's Concerto for Violin op. 82 in A minor in ENEMY OF THE STATE on Saturday 18 October.
Described by the New York Times as bringing ‘virtuosity, refinement, and youthful exuberance’ to his Merkin Concert Hall debut, Benjamin has established a strong presence as a sought-after soloist and chamber musician both internationally and in Aotearoa.
Recent highlights include regular appearances at Wigmore Hall and on BBC Radio 3, his debuts with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales with conductor Ryan Bancroft (Barber), Fort Worth Symphony with Dame Jane Glover (Beethoven), London Philharmonic Orchestra (Mozart), and the Scottish Chamber Orchestra at the East Neuk Festival, alongside solo appearances with the Auckland Philharmonia and Christchurch Symphony Orchestras in NZ.
This season Benjamin debuts with the Mobile, Columbus, and Newport Symphony Orchestras in the USA, Romanian Radio Chamber Orchestra with conductor Jonathan Bloxham and the world premiere of Matthew Kaner’s Violin Concerto with BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra and Amarillo Symphony in Texas.
Solo recordings include with the BBC Concert and Royal Philharmonic Orchestras and two critically acclaimed CDs with pianist Daniel Lebhardt for Delphian Records, 1942 and 1919: Coda.
Born in Aotearoa New Zealand, Benjamin studied with Natasha Boyarsky at the Yehudi Menuhin School and the Royal College of Music where he was awarded the Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Rose Bowl. In 2013 he won 1st Prize at the Windsor International Competition and was a prize-winner at the YCAT International Auditions in London.
Benjamin plays on a Giovanni Grancino from 1694, on generous loan from a Charitable Trust.
