What does the Three Choirs Festival mean to you? What do you think is special about Worcester Three Choirs Festival?

The Three Choirs Festival has had such a distinguished history, and has played such a leading part in the promotion of British music throughout its long existence, with its many memorable premieres of compositions by the cream of British composers, it is a pleasure and privilege to be playing there.

-This is your first Three Choirs performance - how do you feel about that?

I am especially delighted to be playing at the Festival because I have been performing Delius's piano works on quite a number of occasion this past season, and have just given a world premiere performance of 'Fantasy on themes by Arthur Bliss - from the ballet Adam Zero' by Canadian composer Douglas Finch at the 'Ronald Stevenson at 80' event at London's St. John's Smith Square. Both Delius and Bliss have had their works performed at the Festival, some of them world premiere performances, so it is wonderful that there would be such a link!

-And what have you chosen to perform?

I have prepared a varied solo recital programme, starting off with a charming early piano sonata by Beethoven, followed by a selection of the evocative Visions Fugitives and the 4th piano sonata by Prokofiev, this concludes the first half. The second half starts with the Five Bagatelles by Howard Ferguson, followed by the three distinct musical scenes from Estampes by Debussy, before finishing off with the 2nd Ballade, a tempestuous adaptation of the Greek Legend of Hero and Leander by Liszt. I am especially pleased to be able to perform the Five Bagatelles by Ferguson, and play a part in maintaining the British musical link to the festival.

-Its been a glittering career to date - including perfomances with Lord Menuhin. What have been your highlights to date?

I have had the greatest pleasure to play with fantastic musicians such as Nicholas Daniel, the Swiss conductor Matthias Bamert, the Chilean conductor Maximiliano Valdés, and have made live radio broadcasts and played recitals and concertos on three continents. I now look forward to the upcoming 3rd Wigmore Hall solo piano recital, 2 new CD releases, and tours to Ireland, Brazil, Australia and Singapore in the near future. However, one of the greatest pleasure was to have played in a remarkable tour with Lord Menuhin, with the Warsaw Sinfonia, especially for a young musician just starting out.

-Have you been to the Three Choirs Festival before? If so, what is your most memorable Three Choirs experience/ performance?

I regret to say that I have not attended a performance at the Three Choirs Festival before, however, this has been my loss! I hope to be making regular visits in the future, to experience it.

-What benefits do you think you will gain from working with the Three Choirs?

To be playing at such a historic and established festival and to be amongst such wonderful artists, would be a great platform for any musician, either established ones or those just starting out. The exposure at the festival, and the possibility of making useful musical contacts, are invaluable.

-The Three Choirs Festival has an inspiring history and tradition. How has that history translated into the modern Three Choirs Festival experience, in your opinion?

The Festival has maintained throughout its long history the tradition of presenting large scale choral works in concert, drawing from its origin as a festival with three different cathedral choirs. Later on, there was a shift in emphasis to present and promote more British music, with the now distinguished history of the many world premieres of British works there. Since its beginnings, the festival has now become an international event, but its origins as a friendly rivalry between three cathedral choirs still very much characterizes the event, making it special.

-What would you say to people who have never attended a Three Choirs Festival?

Please go the Festival this year, and support the wonderful artists and ensembles and to listen to the world premieres!

-What are the highlights of the Worcester Three Choirs Festival 2008 for you?

I look forward very much to the festival this year, there is a fantastic line up of performers, it is almost impossible to choose highlights from such a distinguished list. It promises to be another stunning event, I look forward to it!