A TOY glockenspiel ignited a passion for music in Emmanuel Vass when he was only six years old.

Now 24, the pianist from East Yorkshire has already played for the Prince of Monaco alongside Lulu, The Manfreds and Blake; he’s been named unsigned artist of the month by Yamaha and taken part in a masterclass with David Owen Norris for BBC Radio 3.

He is coming to the end of his first national tour and will include a concert at St Saviourgate Unitarian Chapel, in York, on Friday at 7.30pm.

His tour, From Bach To Bond, also the name of his debut CD, reflects his eclectic taste with music by Bach, Chopin, Debussy and Gershwin, as well as his own Lisztian arrangements of contemporary classics such as as Bohemian Rhapsody and the James Bond Theme – already big hits on YouTube.

The York concert is in aid of York Against Cancer, and also features Acomb soprano Catherine Schofield, currently studying at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, Cardiff.

Born in the Philippines, Emmanuel “Manny” moved to Pocklington when he was three. He passed grade eight piano with distinction at 15, and successfully auditioned for Yorkshire Young Musicians, a centre of advanced training for gifted young musicians at Leeds College of Music. While there he studied with Robert Markham, who himself studied at the Julliard School of Music in Manhattan, New York.

Emmanuel is arranging and managing his tour in a bid to further his career and raise money for several charities, including York Against Cancer.

“It’s important to look ahead and keep moving forward,” he said. “I’ve just turned 24 so was looking for something to really sink my teeth into – the national tour and CD is what I came up with, and it’s a privilege to be doing it for charitable causes.”

He regularly performs at functions and high-end events, while also keeping a busy solo recital concert diary at venues which has included The Bridgewater Hall, BBC Broadcasting House and Sheffield Cathedral.

Previous engagements have also included performing for the Prince and Princess of Monaco as part of the Variety Club Jubilee Ball; a performance for Lord Levy and the Russian ambassador at Kensington Palace Gardens; and a live BBC6 Music broadcast as part of an ensemble headed by Jimi Goodwin from the international award-winning band Doves.

Tickets for Friday’s concert are £10/£9 from 07738430082.