ONE of the UK’s greatest concert pianists will return to Southend on Friday, October 10.

John Lill will open the Southend Council Concert Series with a recital at 8pm at the Plaza Centre, 600 Southchurch Road.

The programme will include works by Mozart, Schumann, Brahms and Beethoven.

John Lill’s career has taken him to more than 50 countries, where he has performed with the world’s greatest orchestras. He gave his first piano recital at the age of nine, and performed at the Royal Festival Hall, London at the age of 18.

In 1970 he won one of the world’s greatest international awards, The Moscow International Tchaikovsky Competition. He recently returned from a concert tour to Japan.

Graham Longley, Executive Councillor for Enterprise, Tourism and Economic Development, said: “This is a wonderful opportunity for local people to see one of the country’s finest pianists right on their doorstep. This will be a great concert series and I would encourage people to get their tickets now.”

Tickets range from £7 to £10. The Southend Council Concert Series offers discounted tickets to members, who join the club for £7 (£6 concessions).

For further information and to book tickets, call 01702 215011 on Mondays and Fridays from 8.45am until 5.15pm.