I have found that my black currants have grown far slower than my red, pink and white currants. I've never heard of growing currants in a container must be pretty!.

My 'Ben Serak' black currant did not really start sending up new shoots for about two to three years. They are very 'shrub' like now (6 years later) with many stalks. The 'Ben' series of black currants seem to take a bit longer to get a decent crop. I do not think your pruning hurt the shrub. It is establishing its root system. I find my black currants to not like pruning very much. Just my humble opinion. Mrs. g