Described as a “pianist and musician of the highest calibre” (New York Concert Review), the level of Rupert Egerton-Smith’s piano playing makes his unconventional story even more remarkable.
He did not formally study the piano beyond school and after an Oxford history degree largely stopped playing for ten years as he worked as a strategy consultant. Rediscovering his early recordings, he entered and then won a number of competitions, including the Bradshaw & Buono International leading to a Carnegie Hall debut. The UK Telegraph reviewed his "technically stunning” CD of Ravel’s Gaspard de la Nuit in 2012, noting that “as things stand, he has a day job. Not in music. And however you describe him, he’s worth hearing”. His calling to pursue his passion for music became so great that in 2020 he made a major life transition to build a career as pianist and composer. In March 2025, he was appointed a Steinway Artist.
He has given recitals in many prestigious venues internationally including Paris’ Salle Gaveau, the Berlin Philharmonie, and London’s Cadogan Hall. John Lubbock OBE appointed him Artist-in-Residence at the Orchestra of St John’s in 2022, describing him as a “collaborative performer of the greatest sensitivity”. He has performed numerous piano concertos with the OSJ including Rachmaninov 2, Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Grieg, Schumann and Beethoven Concertos 4 and 5. A review of his performance of Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No.1 with Sinfonia Smith Square and Simon Over commended his “flair and passion combined with the most subtle touch”. In 2023 he gave a recital tour in the Middle East, the subject of a documentary film entitled Evolve.
In February 2024 he was invited to be guest soloist for HRH Queen Camilla at Salisbury Cathedral performing with the Band and Bugles of The Grenadier Guards and Band of the Rifles Regiment as part of a 100th anniversary celebration of Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue. Engagements on the East Coast of the US followed. He returned to Carnegie Hall in November 2024 by invitation of the Alexander & Buono Foundation, which has consistently supported his career, and received a standing ovation for his performance of Agosti’s transcription of Stravinsky’s The Firebird.
Passionate about innovative and themed programming in his solo work, he creates a unique musical experience for audiences through narrated performance, describing and contextualising pieces as well as performing them.
Rupert composes music with two film soundtracks due for release in early 2025. He has written for Disney, the BBC, Channel 4 and is a member of the international music agency Syn World’s creative team.