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Charles Owen is a renowned classical pianist who has established himself as one of the most sought-after musicians of his generation. Born in London in 1973, Owen began playing the piano at the age of six and quickly showed a natural talent for the instrument. He went on to study at the Yehudi Menuhin School and the Royal Academy of Music, where he was awarded numerous prizes and scholarships. Owen's career as a professional musician began in earnest in the late 1990s, when he won several major international competitions, including the Jaen International Piano Competition in Spain and the Hamamatsu International Piano Competition in Japan. These victories helped to establish him as a rising star in the classical music world, and he soon began to receive invitations to perform at some of the world's most prestigious concert halls. One of Owen's most notable early performances was at the Wigmore Hall in London in 2000, where he gave a critically acclaimed recital of works by Schumann, Brahms, and Liszt. This performance helped to cement his reputation as a pianist of exceptional skill and sensitivity, and he soon began to receive invitations to perform with some of the world's leading orchestras. Over the years, Owen has performed with many of the world's most renowned orchestras, including the London Philharmonic Orchestra, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the BBC Symphony Orchestra, and the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra. He has also collaborated with many of the world's leading conductors, including Vladimir Ashkenazy, Sir Simon Rattle, and Sir Mark Elder. One of Owen's most memorable performances was at the BBC Proms in 2008, where he performed Rachmaninov's Piano Concerto No. 2 with the BBC Symphony Orchestra. This performance was widely praised for its virtuosity and emotional depth, and it helped to establish Owen as one of the leading interpreters of Rachmaninov's music. In addition to his work as a soloist, Owen is also an accomplished chamber musician, and he has collaborated with many of the world's leading string players, including violinists Joshua Bell and Nicola Benedetti, and cellist Steven Isserlis. He is a founding member of the London Piano Quartet, which has performed extensively throughout Europe and Asia. Owen's discography is extensive, and he has recorded many of the most important works in the piano repertoire. His recordings of the complete piano works of Brahms and Schumann have been widely praised for their technical brilliance and interpretive insight, and his recording of Rachmaninov's Piano Concerto No. 2 with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra was nominated for a Grammy Award in 2012. In addition to his performing and recording career, Owen is also a dedicated teacher, and he has taught at the Royal Academy of Music in London since 2001. He is highly regarded as a pedagogue, and many of his students have gone on to successful careers as professional musicians. Throughout his career, Owen has received numerous awards and accolades for his contributions to the world of classical music. In 2009, he was awarded the prestigious Fellowship of the Royal Academy of Music in recognition of his outstanding achievements as a pianist and teacher. He has also been awarded the Hamamatsu International Piano Competition's Special Prize for Best Performance of a Contemporary Work, the Guildhall School of Music and Drama's Gold Medal, and the Royal Over-Seas League's Keyboard Prize.

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