Biographical Info

Heralded for performances of “spectacular musicianship and technical brilliance” (The
Scotsman), “evangelizing urgency” (International Record Review) and “freshness and
lucidity” (The Herald Scotland), James Willshire has performed at the BBC Proms, live on BBC
Radio 3, and at the Royal Festival Hall, Barbican, Bridgewater Hall, St John’s Smith Square,
Purcell Room, Glasgow City Halls, Queens Hall Edinburgh, Perth Concert Hall, St George’s
Bristol, Caird Hall and the Fairfield Halls.

James is a committed advocate of contemporary music, giving over 25 world premiere
performances of works by Ronald Stevenson, John McLeod, Rory Boyle, Nicola LeFanu,
Robin Holloway, Errollyn Wallen, Thomas Simaku, Stuart MacRae, Jay Capperauld, Jia Chai,
Lynne Plowman, David Lancaster, Michael Parkin, Ailís Ní Ríain and David Power. As pianist
of the Hebrides Ensemble James has collaborated with singers Ailish Tynan, Joshua Ellicott,
Roderick Williams, Susan Bullock, Lester Lynch, Charlotte Hellekant, Michael Mayes, and
Marcus Farnsworth. His work as chamber musician also includes performances with James
Gilchrist, Rosalind Ventris and the Carducci and Solstice Quartets.

As a recording artist James has been highly acclaimed, with his most recent disc a 2024
recording of the chamber music by Helen Grime with the Hebrides Ensemble. His double
disc recording of Ronald Stevenson’s solo piano music was described as “a major
achievement” and awarded an IRR Outstanding by International Record Review and a 5-star
review from Classical Music magazine. His 2017 recording with Fraser Langton of music for
Clarinet and Piano by Rory Boyle was described as “uncompromising” and “all
encompassing” by Gramophone, and his recording of the piano music by David Jennings was
chosen as one of MusicWeb International’s Recordings of the Year 2013.
In 2018 James performed the complete cycle of Debussy’s solo piano music. These concerts,
described by The Herald Scotland as “an unmissable opportunity to hear these demanding
pieces live”, included complete cycles in Glasgow and Edinburgh. Festival appearances
include performances given by James at the 2023 Edinburgh International Festival, 2015 The
Piano Festival at Glasgow Royal Concert Halls, the Lichfield, Cheltenham and Winchester
Festivals, Lammermuir Festival, the Hebden Bridge Piano Festival, the Kilkenny Arts Festival,
the Cantilena Festival, the Roman River Festival, ‘Il Festival di Londra’, the Victoria
International Arts Festival and the Paxos International Festival.

James’ engagements this season include a debut appearance at Kings Place and
performances for the Cumnock Tryst and at Perth Concert Hall, before a recording of
the solo piano music by Henry Litolff for Delphian Records. Further future
performances include a Wigmore Hall debut in 2027 with the Hebrides Ensemble.