Xenia Pestova Bennett

Described as “a powerhouse of contemporary keyboard repertoire” (Tempo), pianist and composer Xenia Pestova Bennett has earned an international reputation as a leading proponent of uncompromising music. Her work spans a wide range of sound worlds, styles and genres from classical to contemporary art music, free improvisation, experimental electronica and avant-pop.
 
Since receiving the unanimous First Prize at the Xavier Montsalvatge International Piano Competition in Girona, Spain and prizes at the Messiaen International Piano Competition in Paris and the KeriKeri Piano Competition of New Zealand, Xenia has performed in over 20 countries – at large festivals, for live broadcast, in major concert halls, and countless weird and wonderful venues and spaces. She has commissioned and recorded dozens of new works, collaborating with major innovators in contemporary music and exploring classical music boundaries with electronics, toy pianos, synthesizers and the magical and mysterious Magnetic Resonator Piano.
 
In All Aglow, Xenia combines her virtuosity and artistry as a concert pianist with the nostalgic sound worlds of analogue synthesizers. This exquisite solo project explores resonance to portray the effects of bioluminescence in coastal sea waters (a range of glowing behaviours exhibited by marine life and bacteria). The sound of the piano is modified with bells and objects gently placed to vibrate on the strings, while synthesizers and pre-recorded electronics create a mysterious visual and aural flavour, adding elements of sonic time-travel and blurring stylistic boundaries.
 
“A brilliantly free-thinking and fearless pianist” 
– Verity Sharp, BBC Radio 3
 
“A remarkably sensitive, thoughtful and totally involved interpreter at work”
– Peter Mechen, Middle C, New Zealand
 
“Pestova Bennet brings proper feelings”
– Jennifer Lucy Allan, The Quietus
 
“…a nuclear musical reaction that produces great, irradiated beauty“
– Tom Service, BBC Radio 3
 
“…boldly conceived and brilliantly realised… clearly a foretaste of things to come.”
– Julian Cowley, The Wire
 
“intoxicating, extraordinarily eerie and evocative”
– Bernard Clarke, RTE Lyric FM