Highly acclaimed musician who in 2010 was the first Pianist to perform Beethoven's five concertos in a single season of The BBC Proms.
His first instrument was the cello, but he soon embraced the piano after beginning studies at Chetham's School of Music when he was 14.
He gained international recognition after placing second at London's 1994 World Piano Competition.
His family was non-musical, with his father earning a living as a Liverpool dock worker and his mother serving as a local council worker. He has three children with his wife Bjorg Lewis.
He performed Ludwig van Beethoven's complete 32 piano sonatas while touring both sides of the Atlantic from 2005 until 2007, then recorded them for Harmonia Mundi.
