The globe-trotting renowned pianist, who has performed in 80 countries, returns to Norwich in the first of new series of lunchtime classical music concerts.

Norwich Evening News: The recitals will take place in the Georgian Music Room at the Assembly House. Photo: Simon FinlayThe recitals will take place in the Georgian Music Room at the Assembly House. Photo: Simon Finlay (Image: Archant Norfolk)

A new series of lunchtime classical music recitals at Norwich Assembly House is set to launch with a special performance from renowned pianist Joanna MacGregor.

Curated by Roger Rowe, who has just retired as programme director of the Norfolk & Norwich Music Club after his successful 20-year tenure, the new monthly programme will take place through 2018 in the stunning Georgian Music Room.

The special launch performance on January 11 will be a return to her roots for Joanna MacGregor. Nowadays a globe-trotting musician and head of piano at the Royal Academy of Music, she gave one of her very first recitals in the Assembly House's Music Room.

Norwich Evening News: The series is being curated by Roger Rowe who won a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2016 Norfolk Arts Awards. Photo: Simon FinlayThe series is being curated by Roger Rowe who won a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2016 Norfolk Arts Awards. Photo: Simon Finlay (Image: Archant)

As a solo artist Joanna has performed in over 80 countries and appeared with many eminent conductors — Pierre Boulez, Sir Colin Davis, Valery Gergiev, Sir Simon Rattle and Michael Tilson Thomas amongst them — and many orchestras including the London Symphony, the Berlin Symphony and the Salzburg Camerata.

She has premiered many landmark compositions by composers ranging from Sir Harrison Birtwistle and Django Bates to John Adams and James MacMillan.

Her varied, interesting and challenging programme for her Norfolk recital will open with Alberto Ginastera's Three Argentine Dances (Danzas argentinas) constituting, perhaps, the most popular work in the piano literature of Argentina.

Norwich Evening News: Pianist Joanna MacGregor will launch Norwich Assembly House recital series. Photo: SubmittedPianist Joanna MacGregor will launch Norwich Assembly House recital series. Photo: Submitted (Image: Archant)

The programme also includes Chopin's Mazurkas, Op 6, containing four of the first mazurkas that the composer published and Beethoven's Sonata in F minor commonly known as the 'Appassionata' one of his greatest and most technically-challenging piano sonatas.

The Assembly House Classical season then continues with a recital by guitar duo the Katona Twins on April 19, the Tyburn Trio on June 21, the Piatti String Quartet on September 13, pianist Tom Poster on October 25, the Prodanova Piano Trio on November 22, and pianist Ben Comeau playing works by Bach and Chopin on December 13.

• Joanna MacGregor, Assembly House, Norwich, January 11, 1pm, £12.88, assemblyhouseclassical.eventbrite.com

Norwich Evening News: Pianist Joanna MacGregor will launch Norwich Assembly House recital series. Photo: SubmittedPianist Joanna MacGregor will launch Norwich Assembly House recital series. Photo: Submitted (Image: Archant)

• More details of the season at assemblyhouseclassical.co.uk