“His recital was full of emotion, rich textures, and the confidence that only comes from a master at work.” Ronnie Kerswell, Carmarthenshire Journal

Celebrated American pianist Ivan Ilic will return to Scotland to play nine dates in November.

An award-winning star of the Parisian music scene, Ivan’s autumn tour will begin with a charity performance at Blanefield, Glasgow on Thursday, November 1, before taking in venues in the Borders, the north east, the Western Isles, the Outer Hebrides, Orkney and back to Glasgow.

The 29-year-old musician, who studied music and mathematics at the University of California, Berkeley, first played in Scotland a year ago to rapturous approval from critics and fans.

He’ll be heading north fresh from his acclaimed tour of Wales where audiences have been treated to the premiere of an innovative piece written specially for him by the young American composer Keeril Makan.

The composition, entitled Afterglow, focuses on the halo of sound that emanates from the piano after the pianist strikes a note.

Ivan’s performance of the piece, which he premiered in Swansea, South Wales in September, has already received rave reviews and he is looking forward to performing it for new audiences in Scotland.

Recitals of Chopin, Liszt and Debussy will also feature in his tour of Scotland which will include three performances in the Sound Festival in the north east.

Performing live is one of Ivan’s great passions and is the reason why he practices whenever he can.

“Hearing a piece of music performed live makes a huge difference – you just don’t get the same experience from a recording as when you go to a concert,” he explains.

“I can remember every piece of new music I heard in the last 10 years, because they make so much more of an impression when you hear them live.”

Ivan’s biog

Ivan first started playing piano at the age of six after becoming jealous of his older sister who had just started piano lessons.

Throughout his teenage years, Ivan had a love-hate relationship with the piano, even giving up on the instrument for a year. But his love of music prevailed and one of the turning points came when Ivan left home for university. The freedom it afforded him soon saw Ivan cutting classes to practice his piano playing.

After capturing all of Berkeley’s music awards, he left for Paris where he’s been based ever since.

After winning First Prize in piano performance at the esteemed Paris Conservatory, Ivan launched a solo recital career at the age of 20 that has taken him throughout Europe and America.

Ivan’s tour dates:

Thursday, November 1: Carbeth Estate, Blanefield, Glasgow, G63 9AT, (Private invite-only recital in aid of Acorns Children’s Hospice)

Friday, November 2: Kelso High School, Bowmont Street, Kelso, TD5 7EG, 7.30pm/£10, 01573 223826

Sunday, November 4: Darroch Learg Hotel, Braemar Road, Ballater, AB35 5UX, 4.30pm/£12, 01479 872603, (part of Sound Festival - www.sound-scotland.co.uk)

Monday, November 5: Gordonstoun School, Duffus, Elgin, Moray, IV30 5RF, 7.30pm/£10, 01343 837895, (part of Sound Festival - www.sound-scotland.co.uk)

Wednesday, November 7: Kemnay Church Centre, Church Lane, Kemnay, 8pm/£8, 01651 882274, (part of Sound Festival - www.sound-scotland.co.uk)

Friday, November 9: An Lanntair Arts Centre, Kenneth Street, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis, Outer Hebrides, HS1 2DS, 8pm/£10, 01851 703307

Saturday, November 10: Sgoil Lionacleit, Isle of Benbecula, Western Isles, HS8 5PJ, 7.30pm/£tbc, 01870 603500

Tuesday, November 13: Woodwick House, Evie, Orkney, KW17 2PQ, 7pm/£tbc, 01856 751330

Thursday, November 15: Concert Hall, University of Glasgow, University Avenue, Glasgow, G12 8QQ 1pm/FREE, 0141 330 2000

For more information on Ivan, including full biog, downloadable images, interview and tour dates, log onto www.ivancdg.com