Paul Lewis

Classical pianist Paul Lewis is unlike many of his peers in that he wasn't born into a privileged musical background. His mother was a council worker and his father worked at Liverpool docks and had no musical affiliations whatsoever. Lewis started out by playing the cello as this was the only instrument for which his school could offer tuition. At the age of 14 he was accepted by the famous Chetham's School of Music in Manchester. During his time at the school Lewis's skill as a pianist soon manifested. He was tutored by Ryszard Bakst, the Polish pianist and teacher and under his guidance Lewis's talents blossomed.

In 1994 at the age of 22, Lewis won second prize in the World Piano Competition and his playing began to become acknowledged throughout the classical music community. During his career he has toured extensively throughout Europe and the USA and during the years 2003 to 2005 performed all 32 of Beethoven's piano sonatas in a series of performances which were recorded for the Harmonia Mundi label. In 2016 Lewis was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in recognition of his outstanding contribution to music.