International Concert Pianist Phillip Dyson has been described as simply “brilliant”, with a “wonderfully dry, very British sense of humour”. An international pianist and great entertainer, performing to ‘sell-out’ audiences around the world. Phillip Dyson is recognised as one of Britain's most sought after and innovative concert pianists, gaining enormous popularity for his unique abilities in both the classical and light music repertoire.  His rapport with audiences, brilliant technique and innate sensitivity constantly win him the highest of praise. Phillip often broadcasts on the BBC and Classic FM, performs regularly with the most prestigious orchestras and has a great international reputation in Europe and America.

"Delicate precision and flawless sensitivity. Fluid patterns of pulse and poetry flowed through Dyson’s fingertips… magnificent finger work. An exhilarating feast of classical and ragtime."

Pacifica Tribune, San Francisco

Current Highlights for Phillip

Current Highlights for Phillip include his Totally Chopin London Concert at St Martins-in-the-Fields, Trafalgar Square and a whole year of Chopin Bicentenary Concerts throughout the UK.  A return as soloist to  BBC Radio 2’s ‘Friday Night Is Music Night’, a further guest appearance on BBC Radio 3’s ‘In Tune’, and a new Naxos CD release featuring the Piano Concertos of Sir Malcolm Arnold as soloist with the Ulster Orchestra.  A return to Tanzania to give several recitals at the Official Residence of the British High Commissioner in Dar-es-Salaam.  Concerts in Seville, Spain, Ireland and Scotland.  Concerts and Tours in the USA, including New York City and the Bruno Walter Auditorium at the Lincoln Centre, the Scott Joplin International Ragtime Festival in the Mid-West and California, including San Francisco, Sacramento and the West Coast Ragtime Festival.

Born in Lancashire he began musical studies at an early stage

Born in Lancashire he began musical studies at an early stage and by the age of twelve had given aperformance at London's Royal Albert Hall, which was to launch a busy and most successful performing career.  He studied at the Royal College of Music with distinguished pianists Colin Horsley and John Lill, and also with Dr William Lloyd Webber.  At the early age of 27 he was appointed Professor of Piano at the London College of Music.

Phillip has performed with many of the UK's finest symphony orchestras

Phillip has performed with many of the UK's finest symphony orchestras, including: the Royal Philharmonic, BBC Philharmonic, BBC Concert Orchestra, National Symphony and the Ulster Orchestra; and at most of the major festivals, including: Salisbury, Lichfield, Bury St. Edmunds, Ludlow, Fishguard, Newbury, Buxton, Worcester Three Choirs, Gloucester Three Choirs, Belfast and Chester.  Most frequently he appears in London, including the South Bank Centre and St John’s, Smith Square. He tours overseas every year, particularly in the USA and Europe.  Also in Africa, where he has toured Tanzania.  One of his recitals was held at the Official Residence ofthe British High Commissioner in Dar es Salaam.  On disc he records for the ASV/Sanctuary, Chandos, Naxos and Marigold labels.

Of the many countries Phillip Dyson performs in

Of the many countries Phillip Dyson performs in, America is certainly one of the most frequently visited.  He is often invited to the Scott Joplin International Ragtime Festival and was the first British Pianist to appear at the West Coast Ragtime Festival.  He frequently performs in New York and tours California each year, particularly in San Francisco, Sacramento, San Luis Obispo and Los Angeles.  In addition, he has toured in Canada as soloist with the Palm Court Orchestra of Vancouver.

"Featuring the refined pianism of Phillip Dyson. Few pianists have both the technique and the inclination to tackle the music of Billy Mayerl. Fortunately, Dyson has the requisite qualities in spades, together with a wonderfully dry sense of humour, which extended to his playing."

The Times, Vancouver Island, Canada

Another most popular touring country for Phillip is Spain. Performances in many of the country’s major cities have included: Madrid, Salamanca, Burgos, Valladolid, Toledo, Alcalá, Villaviciosa, Ávila, Palencia, Segovia and Seville.

"Phillip Dyson's brilliance, excellent musicality and beautiful tone colours were served by a pure and efficient technique. A performance of great merit!"

El Adelantado de Segovia

In Spain he has regularly appeared on both radio and television. And, through his many master classes with music students, was appointed Patron of the Segovia Music Academy. 

Phillip Dyson broadcasts regularly for the BBC

Phillip Dyson broadcasts regularly for the BBC, in such programmes as Friday Night Is Music Night with the BBC Concert Orchestra, ‘Afternoon on 3’, ‘At the Piano’ and ‘In Tune’.  He was particularly involved in the making of Radio 3’s Billy Mayerl: Composer of the Week programmes, recording and broadcasting Mayerl’s main piano and orchestra works with the BBC Concert Orchestra. Most recently he has recorded several programmes with the Ulster Orchestra in Belfast, for future transmission.

As a leading exponent of British Music, in the Concert Hall, on CD and for the BBC, Phillip Dyson has long been associated with the music of Sir Malcolm Arnold.

"... of all the distinguished pianists who have performed the composition over the years I cannot think of any who have added so much to my work as has Phillip Dyson on each occasion it has been my privilege to hear him perform the Fantasy. His interpretation of my work was so sympathetic and so exactly what I had in mind when I wrote the piece that it was quite uncanny. He gave a wonderful performance, perfect, superb!"

Sir Malcolm Arnold

He gave the Irish Premiere and First Performance outside the UK of Arnold’s ‘Fantasy on a theme of John Field’.  This was broadcast LIVE from the National Concert Hall, Dublin, with the RTE National Symphony Orchestra, celebrating the composer’s 80th Birthday. Phillip has now recorded the same work for the BBC with the Ulster Orchestra.  In addition, he has also recorded his 3 Hand and Piano Duet Concertos, again for the BBC with the Ulster Orchestra and pianist Kevin Sargent.  All three concertos have now been released commercially on the Naxos label.

"Phillip Dyson and Kevin Sargent are brilliant piano soloists."

Edward Greenfield, Gramophone

At the specific request of Sir Malcolm Arnold, Phillip recorded the composer’s film score the Stolen Face Ballade for piano and orchestra on the Chandos label with the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra. BBC Radio 3 CD Review commented on the World Premiere Recording… “Solid Gold Arnold”.

Phillip Dyson is also very much associated with the light music of Billy Mayerl and is recognized as a leading authority on his music. His ASV/Sanctuary disc the Nimble Fingered Gentleman prompted the Gramophone to comment:

 "Phillip Dyson has an obvious penchant for Mayerl's charmers and plays them with love and sincerity... a delicious tribute, superbly recorded!"

Classic FM

Due to its tremendous success, worldwide, he followed this up with The Entertainer, piano music by Scott Joplin.  This reached No. 3 on Classic FM CD Choice and is still today, on the Classic FM Playlist.  Classic CD reviewed it, saying:

"A highly recommended and thoroughly enjoyable recital played with affection and conviction. Phillip Dyson mixes the well known with the less familiar in performances of sparkle and wit."

On the Marigold label

On the Marigold label, Phillip recorded LIVE a concert from the Purcell Room at London’s South Bank Centre.  Entitled Rhapsodies and Marigolds it was a celebration of the Centenary of Billy Mayerl.  Most recently released on the Marigold label, Phillip Dyson… by Special Request, with music by: Mozart, Beethoven, Chopin, Liszt, Debussy and Brahms.

May 2010