Howard Shelley on his 60th birthday tour

Pianist and conductor Howard Shelley has a lot to celebrate. This is his 60th year, and he's also celebrating 50 years of public concerts.

Shelley's career in music was marked out from an early age, but it soon became a problem of educational priorities. In the end Shelley left school during sixth form for the Royal College of Music.

To celebrate his 50 years in the business, this month Shelley is going on the road with the English Chamber Orchestra. They will visit Bregenz in Austria on 12th, The Anvil Basingstoke on 14th, Birmingham Town Hall on 21st and the Cadogan Hall in London on 26th November.

Shelley spoke to Classic FM's Bob Jones about his musical upbringing, life as a musician, recording and future ambitions.

Listen to the interview now