PIANIST Christian Zacharias will play Harrogate International Festivals’ Spring Series of Sunday morning concerts this weekend at the Old Swan Hotel, Harrogate.

Zacharias will perform his programme of Schubert, Schumann and Beethoven works from his sold-out Wigmore Hall concert in London.

The German pianist became a reluctant YouTube sensation after a mobile phone went off during a Haydn concert in Sweden. Haydn Killed by Cell Phone has had more than 600,000 hits; not surprisingly, Sunday’s 11am audience members will be warned to switch off their mobiles.

Looking forward to his intimate Harrogate concert, Zacharias said: It’s kind of a challenge playing smaller audiences. It’s harder to play when the audience is so close to you. A big hall is more impressive but more anonymous, so it’s refreshing to go into smaller venues.”

Tickets can be booked on 01423 562303