A memorial service is to be held in Starbeck for a pianist who often played for free in local schools and care homes.

Stuart Forster was a talented keyboard player who was also an organist at St Andrew’s Church. He died at his home in Starbeck on May 1, aged 76.

Born in York, he had a varied career in a wide range of professions.

Mr Forster was a talented keyboard player

Elena Leeming, a friend of Mr Forster, said:

“While it is sad news for the community here in Starbeck, there is a memorial service for those who knew him at St Andrew’s Church on May 18 at 11am.

“Stuart brought joy to the whole community by playing at the local school, church and care homes. He will be greatly missed.”

Ms Leeming added Mr Forster’s sister and son planned to travel for the service and everyone was welcome.

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A highly anticipated Harrogate performance by an international soprano has been cancelled due to the rail strike.

Elizabeth Llewellyn was due to perform a song recital accompanied by pianist Simon Lepper at the Wesley Centre on Monday.

Born to Jamaican parents, Ms Llewellyn is widely regarded as today’s must-see soprano in the world’s opera houses and concert halls.

But the latest round of strikes called by the RMT rail union has scuppered the lunchtime event, which was called off before the strike action was cancelled.

However, acclaimed pianist Steven Osborne has agreed to step in instead.

Steven Osborne

His programme includes Debussy’s Pour le piano and two Rachmaninov pieces: the Nunc Dimittis from All-Night Vigil and his piano sonata number one 1 in D minor.

Monday’s concert starts at 1pm and tickets costing £10 will be available on the door.

It is part of the long-running series of lunchtime concerts organised by Andrew Hitchens at the Wesley.

The rest of this season’s programme includes:

December 5 — Elisa Tomellini (Italian pianist)

January 9 — London Horn Duo

February 6 — Harmoniemusik (Four woodwinds and piano)

March 6 — Kitty Whately (mezzosoprano) and Joseph Middleton (piano)

April 3 — Emma Abbate and Julian Perkins (piano, four hands)

May 8 — Gareth Brynmor-John (tenor/winner of the Ferrier 2013) and Christopher Glynn

June 5 — Susan Tomes

July 3— Jazz concert with the Richard Weatherall Trio

There will also be two evening concerts, details to be announced.

One of Britain’s leading pianists will perform in Harrogate next month.

Stephen Hough first performed at the Wesley Centre in 2006 and will return for a ninth time for an evening recital on March 3.

As well as being regarded as one of the pre-eminent pianists of his generation, Mr Hough has published 40 works, including four piano sonatas, and written a book.

In a programme that he will subsequently be giving at Manchester’s Bridgewater Hall, and then in Tallinn and Miami, he will play works by four composers.

The recital will open with the 1938 bagatelles by the now-neglected British composer Alan Rawsthorne, followed by Robert Schumann’s Kreisleriana.

After the interval Mr Hough will play his own partita before ending with a group of four Chopin favourites, ballade No 3, two nocturnes and the scherzo number 2.

Tickets cost £16 or £8 for people aged 16 and under and can be obtained in advance by emailing event organiser Andrew Hitchens at a.hitchen81@gmail.com.

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