Classical review: Moors the merrier as virtuoso violinist takes a bow

Making his television debut playing the violin as the young Mozart in a film of the composer's life, he returned to the screen three years later as a prodigiously gifted finalist in the BBC Young Musician of the Year.

His emergence onto the international concert stage as a teenager came at a time when tall, gorgeous and blonde female soloists were capturing the attention of concert promoters, but for the good of the musical world, it allowed Liebeck time to mature to become today's quite remarkable soloist.

Signing an exclusive contract with Sony last year, something quite rare in today's recording industry, was a big boost to his career, the first fruits released this month (see today's album reviews).

"I have been doubly fortunate in being asked to play such a wide range of music, and I would hate to think of life going from one concerto performance to the next."

Tonight and tomorrow night, he takes part in the North York Moors Chamber Music Festival, having just returned from a similar, but very high-profile event that takes place each year in Australia.

Now well-established on the international circuit with a concert diary full to overflowing, and with two further visits to Australia next year, he takes a philosophical view of the countless hours spent travelling.

For details, see today's classical concert listings.