An award-winning pianist and composer will be performing at Bury Parish Church on Friday.

Neil Crossland, who studied at the Royal College of Music, has won major prizes and has played in many concerts in the UK and abroad and has written pieces in all genres.

He has appeared frequently on radio and television, including performing live on BBC Radio 3 and 4.

The Yorkshireman has showcased his talent at London venues such as the Barbican and Queen Elizabeth Hall and has performed performing all 32 Beethoven piano sonatas in a concert series at St James’s Piccadilly.

Neil’s concerto performances include Beethoven’s Emperor Concerto with the British Chamber Orchestra at the Southwark Festival.

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He has made over 20 recordings on the Deltatel label, including the complete cycle of the Beethoven piano sonatas, as well as works by Haydn, Schumann, Liszt, Rachmaninoff, Ravel and Poulenc.

One of his many other projects has been to revive and record the piano compositions of the late astronomer, Sir Patrick Moore.

As a composer, Neil is known for his original, but accessible style. One of his pieces, Requiem, Op. 43, is for soloists, chorus and orchestra. 

His latest compositions include songs set to poems by the three Brontë sisters for piano.

He is also recognised for his ability to write successful transcriptions and convincing works in older styles.

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Neil’s newly completed cycle of songs, Songs of Travel and Rest, Op. 57, as well as Atmospheres Op. 56 for solo violin, were recently given their premieres, as well as his piano duo work, Variations and Finale on Beethoven’s Ode to Joy, Op.28.

In 2019, Neil played in several festivals performing works arranged by himself – including Rachmaninoff’s How Fair This Spot and Strauss’s Radetzky March. His final concert of his Beethoven Piano sonata cycle at Merton Abbey Mills in 2020 was greatly received.

He will be playing on the piano at the town centre church at 12.30pm with tickets on the door priced at £5.

Refreshments will be served from 11.30am.

For more information visit https://www.buryparishchurch.com/concerts.