FOR its third 2020 concert tour, Concerts in the West is delighted to welcome back the exceptionally talented and inspirational one handed pianist Nicholas McCarthy.

He will perform a coffee concert at Bridport Arts Centre on Friday, March 6 at 11.30am.

Nicholas was born in 1989 without his right hand and only began to play the piano at the age of 14 after being inspired by hearing a friend play Beethoven’s Waldstein Sonata. Having once been told that he would never succeed as a concert pianist, Nicholas was not discouraged and went on to study at the prestigious Royal College of Music in London.

His graduation in July 2012 drew press headlines around the world, being the only one-handed pianist to graduate from the Royal College of Music in its 130 year history. In March 2018 he was awarded honorary membership by its president, HRH The Prince of Wales.

Nicholas is a champion of the ‘left hand alone’ repertoire, which first came to prominence in the early 19th century and developed rapidly following the First World War as a result of the many injuries suffered by musicians on the battlefield.

He has performed extensively throughout the UK including major venues such as The Royal Albert Hall. Internationally, Nicholas has toured and performed in France, Belgium, Holland, South Africa, South Korea, Malta, Kazakhstan, Japan the US and a six city tour of China.

One of Nicholas’s proudest moments was performing with the British Paraorchestra at the closing ceremony of the 2012 Paralympic games alongside Coldplay in front of an audience of 86,000 people and half a billion worldwide viewers.

His concert performances, recordings and media features have gained critical acclaim. His ongoing commitment to encouraging new audiences to classical music along with his work with young people through music education is ever present in his schedule.

Nicholas is patron and ambassador for Nordoff Robbins, The One Handed Musicians Trust (OHMI) and Create charities.

Catherine Maddocks, the founder and director of Concerts in the West, said: “The extraordinary left-handed pianist Nicholas McCarthy returns this season. Not only does he give performances all over the world but he has helped many companies motivate their workforce by sharing his unique and inspiring story. During his tour of the West Country he will work with young players from the Centre for Young Musicians Taunton (CYMT) and I am sure he will inspire them too.”

The Bridport programme will consist of Bartók, Cooper, Charbonnet, Richard Strauss, Bellini/Fumagalli and Bach.

*Nicholas McCarthy, Bridport Arts Centre, Friday, March 6, 11.30am to 12.30pm. Booking details can be found at concertsinthewest.org Tickets cost £12, there is an optional donation at the concerts.