HELENSBURGH Music Society’s winter concert series returns this weekend following the Christmas and New Year break when internationally-renowned pianist Graeme McNaught takes to the stage.

The winner of the very first Scottish International Piano Competition, in 1986, Graeme’s early success led to numerous solo recitals as well as concert engagements with all the country’s top orchestras.

He graduated from the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama (RSAMD) and went on to study in Munich and Salzburg before completing his studies in London under the renowned Italian pianist and teacher Maria Curcio and going on to enjoy a spell as pianist in residence at the Mozarteum in Salzburg.

Graeme has played with all of the UK’s major orchestras and is in great demand as an accompanist, having worked with many highly-regarded vocalists and instrumentalists.

He has partnered distinguished musicians including Willard White, Lynn Harrell and Ruggiero Ricci, with whom he recorded works from Sarasate to Beethoven. He has also been a regular guest with such groups as the Hebrides Ensemble, the ever eclectic Mr McFall’s Chamber and the Scottish Chamber Orchestra.

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He has played on commercial recordings with James MacMillan for the SCO and cellist Robert Irvine, has taught in Germany, Switzerland and South Korea, and since 1990 has been lecturer in keyboard studies at the RSAMD, now the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.

Fittingly, in view of his time learning and playing in Austria, Graeme’s highly anticipated Helensburgh recital has Vienna at its heart, featuring music from three of the “great romantics” – Schubert, Schumann and Brahms.

The concert is at 7.30pm on Saturday, January 15 at the Tower Digital Arts Centre in Sinclair Street.

Measures complying with the government’s Covid-19 guidelines will be in place to ensure concert-goers are as safe as possible.

As part of those measures, there will be no facility to pay at the door on Saturday night, but tickets – of which only a very limited number are still available – can be bought through the society’s website at helensburghmusicsociety.org.uk.

Admission is £12 for adults, £5 for students and just £1 for under-18s – while season tickets can also be purchased at the HMS website, giving discounted entry to the four concerts remaining on this season’s programme.