Russian virtuoso Dmitry Alexeev is a former winner of the Moscow and Leeds international piano competitions.

He more than proved his worth when he stood in at short notice for Portuguese star Maria Joao Pires - who pulled out because of ill health.

Actually, he more than pleased the audience, coming back to perform three encores to massive applause.

He began his programme with three pieces by Brahms from his Opas 118 before going on to perform Beethoven's 32 Variations On An Original Theme and the fabulous Moonlight Sonata.

Alexeev is a small man with a big sound, wonderful in attack but also delicate and quiet. He plays almost undemonstratively but with a fierce concentration.

Certainly his reading of the Moonlight Sonata brought forth fireworks and lust after the beautiful and highly-emotional opening.

In the second half, his performance of Robert Schumann's first piano sonata was another exciting piece which Alexeev handled with great flair and dexterity. This man plays a fluent piano which is mesmerising and he ends each piece with a great smile.

Theatre Royal, New Road, Brighton, Monday