BRITISH-born pianist Stephen Hough makes his way to The Forum Theatre, Hanley, next week to perform as part of the Stoke-on-Trent Festival's Harding Trust piano recital series.

The artist, noted as being the first British instrumentalist in more than 20 years to play the main stage of New York's Carnegie Hall, is set to play Bach's Toccata and Fugue in D minor, Franck's Prelude Chorale and Fugue, Chopin's Nocturne in B Op.62, No.1 and Sonata in B minor, Op. 58, and three works by Fauré when he arrives at the venue.

A familiar favourite in and around North Staffordshire, Hough, who was awarded a prestigious MacArthur Fellowship in 2001, last astounded the people of the Potteries when he performed alongside the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra at The Victoria Hall, Hanley, in 2006.

This time, he is going it alone as he joins other concert greats in celebrating the Festival's 40th anniversary.

Stephen Hough is at The Forum Theatre, Hanley, on Thursday, December 3, at 8pm. For tickets, priced £19, call 01782 206000.