Nicholas McCarthy (piano)

A musical phenomenon, Nicholas McCarthy was born in 1989 without his right hand, but through sheer talent and determination rose above the many obstacles and active discouragement to pursue his love of the piano, going on to study at the Royal College of Music. His graduation in 2012 drew press headlines around the world, being the only one-handed pianist to graduate from the RCM in its 130-year history. In March 2018 he was awarded honorary membership by its President, HRH King Charles.

As one of just a few soloists with a disability, Nicholas is a champion of the dynamic and brave world of left-hand alone repertoire, a repertoire that first came into being in the early 19th Century and developed rapidly following the First World War because of the many injuries suffered on the battlefield. 

Nocturne Opus Op.9 No.2 Scriabin
Isolde’s Liebestod from Tristan and Isolde – Wagner/Liszt arr. Wittgenstein
Der Erlkönig – Schubert/Liszt arr. Zichy
Galilean Moons – Julie Cooper (commissioned by Nicholas McCarthy) 
Chaconne in D Minor from Partita No.2 – Bach arr. Brahms
Etude for Left Hand – Bartok