The World’s Only One-Handed Concert Pianist Set To Wow Harrogate Audience
Ground-breaking classical music star Nicholas McCarthy – the world’s only one-handed concert pianist – makes his hotly-anticipated Harrogate debut this month.
Nicholas McCarthy (credit Paul Marc Mitchell)
McCarthy, described as the “left-hand virtuoso of our time” by Pianist Magazine, will take to the stage at the Old Swan Hotel on March 29, for the penultimate recital in this year’s Harrogate International Sunday Series.
These unique coffee morning concerts bring some of the biggest, boundary-pushing new names in classical music to the North Yorkshire spa town, emphasising Harrogate International Festivals’ reputation for delivering world class music events.
Despite being born with just one arm, McCarthy has established himself as one of the most thrilling and inspiring pianists around. He only began playing at the age of 14, after watching a friend perform Beethoven’s Waldstein sonata, but quickly demonstrated his extraordinary talent and went on to graduate from London’s Royal College of Music in 2012 – the first one-handed pianist to do so in the institution’s 130-year history.
He shot to prominence that same year, performing at the closing ceremony of the London Paralympic Games with the British Paraorchestra and Coldplay to a global audience of over 500 million. Since then, he has performed around the world, both in recital and with major orchestras, making his BBC Proms debut in 2025.
A passionate advocate for accessibility in music for those with a disability, he collaborated with the ABRSM (Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music) to create the first-ever one-handed piano syllabus in 2024.
Nicholas McCarthy on stage. (credit Chris Christodoulou)
McCarthy’s unique Harrogate programme will feature works by Bartók, Bach and Wagner, as well as Alexander Scriabin’s Prelude and Nocturne for the Left Hand. Speaking ahead of his concert, McCarthy said: “I’m very pleased to be part of such a great series. It will be the first time a left-handed pianist will have played at the Festivals, so it’s a privilege for me to be invited.”
As part of Harrogate International Festivals’ 60th anniversary celebrations, the Sunday Series is hosting a post-concert talk with McCarthy, in which he will discuss his remarkable career, and how music changed his life.
Sharon Canavar, Chief Executive of Harrogate International Festivals, said: “Nicholas McCarthy is a generational talent, and we are delighted that he will be performing as part of our hugely popular Sunday Series.
“Over the past 60 years, the Festivals have constantly sought not only to showcase the best talent, but challenge people’s perceptions of what classical music looks and sounds like.
“Nicholas’s musical prowess transcends our ideas of what is possible, and his Harrogate performance promises to be truly unforgettable.”
All of the Sunday Series concerts take place at the historic Old Swan Hotel, which provides an intimate setting to enjoy a morning coffee and exceptional music with friends.
Nicholas McCarthy | Piano | Old Swan Hotel, Harrogate | 29 March, 11am.
Book online at harrogateinternationalfestivals.com or call the box office on 01423 562 303.
