Martin Cousin

With the recent award of Gold Medal at the 2003 Royal Overseas League Music competition, Scottish pianist Martin Cousin joins the ranks of such illustrious predecessors as Geoffrey Parsons, Jacqueline DuPre, John Lill and Melvyn Tan.

He began studying the piano at the age of eight and entered the Royal College of Music in 1992 to study with John Blakely, graduating with a First Class degree; He continued his studies as a postgraduate, having been awarded a Senior Exhibition scholarship and he became the Anthony Saltmarsh Junior Fellow for 1997-98 which enabled him to study with Yonty Solomon.

Martin Cousin has won success in other competitions including the Robert William and Florence Amy Brant Pianoforte Competition, the ISM Pianoforte Competition and was chosen as one of three finalists in the World Piano Competition 2000. Martin won the 1998 Accompanist Prize at the Tunbridge Wells International Young Artists Competition and was selected as a soloist on the Countess ofMunster Recital Scheme until 2001.While studying, Martin was supported by bursaries from the Countess of Munster Musical Trust, Sir James Caird Travelling Scholarships Trust and the Martin Musical Trust His Purcell Room debut for Park Lane Group in January 1998 was enthusiastically received by the media.

His career is well established as both soloist and chamber musician by performing extensively throughout the UK and abroad and has broadcast frequently on national radio.

Martin Cousin also worked as hand double on the Oscar winning film 'Shine' for the scenes using Rachmaninov's 3rd Piano Concerto.

In 2001 Martin made his Wigmore Hall debut, gave a recital for the Ravello Festival in June 2001,a tour of the major US cities, a six-concert series at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe for the ROSL, a special performance for Park Lane Group at the Royal Opera House and chamber music at the Ueno Hall in Tokyo.

In 2002 he made debut performances at Barbican playing Rachmaninov's 2nd Concerto and Tchaikovsky's 1st Concerto at Bridgewater Hall. In 2003/2004 he performed Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, gave concerts with the London Philharmonic and Halle Orchestras and fulfilled a busy recital schedule in the UK and abroad.

2005's season includes a solo recital at the Wigmore Hall in March 2005, a CD release of Rachmaninov's 1st Sonata and Morceaux de Salon op.10, and Rhapsody in Blue at the Bridgewater Hall.