"I'VE visited Manchester a number times," says internationally acclaimed pianist Adam Gyorgy, "To rest when I've been on tour and caught connecting flights to Asia. I've watched football at the Etihad Stadium and at Old Trafford for the Olympics in 2012."
"I lived on a farm with my grandparents and spent my summers picking raspberries, I couldn't wait to get out of the sun to practice the piano."
The Steinway Artist has a special connection to football; he played at UEFA's EURO 2012 opening ceremony in Warsaw two years ago, and as Manchester is famed for its football, he's something of a fan.
"There is a great energy here which is very different from other cities I've visited in the UK. I love to walk around Manchester: it's an incredible city with beautiful buildings: especially the Alfred Waterhouse buildings such as the University of Manchester and the Town Hall.
"It really is a special place: everyone is super friendly here giving directions, recommending bars and restaurants – the people of Manchester are really into their pubs."
Gyorgy, who lives half the year in Manhattan and the remainder in Budapest, is currently on his first UK tour to promote a new DVD, which features his own composition entitled a Day in New York. At Manchester's Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM) he'll be playing this alongside pieces by Liszt, Chopin and Verdi.
"New York is a fantastic place, I love the melting pot of culture there. I grew up in Hungary in a village far outside Budapest that's completely different," says Gyorgy. "I lived on a farm with my grandparents and spent my summers picking raspberries, I couldn't wait to get out of the sun to practice the piano. So a move to New York was a dramatic change.'
Gyorgy has maintained an avid following of fans in Singapore, Indonesia and China for a decade – often hijacked by hoards of adoring female fans after his concerts. So why try his luck in England, where classical music isn't quite as sexy?
"I've always had a dream of touring the UK, since I was nineteen I've travelled to some of the most important venues in the US and southeast Asia, but rediscovering Europe by coming to the UK carries special weight in my calendar."
RNCM
He's currently spending the lead up to his concert practising in the attic at one of the city's most beloved music shops.
"Forsyth's is one of the most hospitable music stores I have ever visited. There's an amazing selection of pianos and they allow me to work on their excellent instruments.
"I've practised in their attic workshop up in the eaves of the building before. So this time, preparing for the RNCM concert, it feels a little bit like coming home."
For those not familiar with classical music, he encourages you to come along and try it out anyway:
"For people who have never been to a classical music concert they can expect a very, very different journey. I usually perform classical music in a way people understand and I select pieces that feel close to the audience's heart. You'll see the colours and rhythms of the music, and feel the emotion. Connecting with my audience is very important to me."
The concert takes place at RNCM, starting at 7.30pm. Tickets are £22.50 or £20.50 for concessions, and will be available on the door.
Special Manchester Confidential offer: Use voucher code ADAMUK2014 at www.ticketline.co.uk/adam-gyorgy to get a pair of tickets for £20.
