STEPHEN Hough lives a life of contrasts.

The multi award-winning pianist and composer shares his professional life with thousands when he plays in some of the most prestigious venues.

But when he steps off the stage he values his privacy and is often alone in his hotel room in a sort of limbo between one concert and the next.

The 55-year-old is also in demand all over the world from Carnegie Hall in Manhattan to Sydney Opera House.

But whenever his schedule allows the former Thelwall County pupil is regularly found in his hometown playing in church halls.

And three years ago Stephen even filled in for a recital at Holy Trinity Church when the organisers were let down at the last minute.

He said: “I think it begins with friendships and I have many people I care about who still live in the area.

“But so many cultural activities start with friendship too.

“I do go to concerts and the theatre and the exhibitions alone sometimes but the arts is a wonderful way to draw together a community.

“Coming up in March and June 2018 I have a residency with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra with a complete cycle of Beethoven concertos, a recital and various other activities.”

Before his residency Stephen is turning his attentions to the town as Culture Warrington’s first patron.

It has been quite a 12 months for the musician in terms of honours.

In June he was also named a Bencher of the Middle Temple and towards the end of last year he became Limelight Magazine’s international artist of the year and an Honorary Fellow of the Guildhall School.

Stephen, who grew up in All Saints Drive in Thelwall and York Drive in Grappenhall, added: “It’s always nice to be appreciated, even if it’s just for making a great chocolate cake.

“But very often such recognition is a spur to continue and to do better.

“And encouragement is something which will play a huge role in taking Warrington to the next level of achievement as a cultural centre.”

Stephen, who now lives in London, is still finding his feet as patron but is keen to listen to anyone who knows the town better than he does and has ideas on how to protect and improve its cultural offering.

He said: “Wherever you move in later life the place where you grew from child to adult always has a special place.

“I’m finding out what the role of patron will involve but I think it all starts with putting those two words – Warrington culture – together.

“Making that connection in people’s minds is an important step in what comes next.

“Certainly new buildings will need to be built or restructured, and areas such as the canals developed and cherished, but it starts with ideas and many people living in the areas should and will have those.

“I think the Parr Hall is underrated and under appreciated.

“I haven’t lived in Warrington though for over 25 years so there are probably many great things going on about which I have no idea.”

The other big challenge is getting Warrington out of the shadow of two cultural giants, Manchester and Liverpool.

Stephen, who fell in love with music when he was just five after playing his aunt Ethel’s piano in Grappenhall, added: “There’s no easy solution to increasing the profile of an arts community – if there was everywhere would be doing it.

“But we begin with confidence and determination and then move to ideas.

“I do think that the geography of the town, it’s ease of access and transport and its position between those two giants, is a good marketing point.”

While acting as Culture Warrington’s patron, Stephen also has the small matter of around 90 international concerts a year.

But despite being away from his home and partner for a big part of the year he describes it as the way life has always been – and one he still loves.

When he was in his teens he studied at Chetham’s School of Music and the Royal Northern College of Music, both in Manchester, before winning the finals of the piano section of the BBC Young Musician of the Year in 1978.

Stephen then gained an international reputation when he was just 21 when he won the Naumburg International Piano Competition in New York City.

He said: “It’s what my life has always been.

“My partner and I are both busy doing stimulating things we love and we talk all the time, many times a day.

“Of course on some long trips I long to be home, but I love too to be in different places.”

But does it sometimes feel strange to go from being on your own somewhere relatively unfamiliar to performing in front of thousands of people?

Stephen, who is working on his first novel about a priest who has lost his faith and is being blackmailed, added: “It can. I remember early in my career playing at the Hollywood Bowl for around 17,000 people and then going back to my hotel for a meal alone with my book.

“I’m used to this now and prefer it to a reception with many people I don’t know. Depending on the book of course...”

DAVID MORGAN