19 October 2020

Congratulations to pianist Martin James Bartlett on receiving the Benjamin Britten Piano Fellowship

By Julie Webb Client Director
Pianist Martin James Bartlett
Lark Music friend Martin James Bartlett has been awarded the prestigious Benjamin Britten Piano Fellowship 2020-21 by the Royal College of Music (RCM), supported by the Philip Loubser Foundation.

We at Lark Music have been following Martin’s journey for many years; he has played at several Lark Music events and our guests have been enchanted by his exceptional, accomplished performances.

This year, Martin, 24, is embarking on his Artist Diploma course at the RCM, but his achievements over the last decade have been extraordinary – from winning the title of the BBC Young Musician of the Year competition in 2014 to a BBC Proms debut in 2015, performing Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. He also played at the Queen’s 90th birthday thanksgiving service in 2016, which was broadcast live on BBC One from St Paul’s Cathedral.

In May 2019, he became an exclusive recording artist with Warner Classics and his first album, Love and Death, includes works by Bach, Liszt and Schumann.
Martin, who studies with Professor Vanessa Latarche, said: “It is an honour to be the Benjamin Britten Piano Fellow and I am extremely grateful to the Philip Loubser Foundation for their generous support. It’s very exciting for me to be associated with a composer whose music means so much to me.”

The Benjamin Britten Piano Fellowship commemorates Britten’s achievement as a pianist, as well as his years as an RCM student and one of its most famous alumni. Michael Loubser, Creative Director of the Foundation, said: “The PLF is honoured to be associated with the Fellowship, which has helped to launch the careers of several previous Fellows. We are delighted Martin James Bartlett is the latest recipient. I am sure this award will give him a good opportunity to expand his musical horizons.”

Congratulations, Martin, and we look forward to listening to you at a live concert sometime soon!