INTERNATIONAL pianist Sarah Beth Briggs will celebrate three birthdays in next Friday's concert at the Sir Jack Lyons Concert Hall, University of York.

This year marks the 250th anniversary of Mozart's birth and the 100th anniversary of Shostakovic's birth, while Sarah's own birthday coincides with the concert date. "I'm delighted to be on home territory to celebrate it," says the York musician.

As a former International Mozart Competition winner in Salzburg, her connection with Mozart is long standing. "I'm marking his 250th anniversary with his little D major Rondo, K485, and the great C minor sonata from 1784, K457, and in the second half, I'll pay tribute to Shostakovich with his delightful early set of Fantastic Dances, Opus 5," says Sarah, whose 7.30pm programme will incorporate works by Schubert, Brahms, Debussy, and Chopin.

Sarah's career has taken her to France, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Italy and the United States, as well as throughout Britain, where she will make her debut with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in October.

Sarah is a teacher too and has given master classes in Britain, Switzerland and the USA, in addition to her chamber music coaching and teaching at the University of York.

Sarah's new CD, Sarah Beth Briggs Plays Haydn Mozart Bartok Brahms Chopin, is available at £10.99 via the Homepage of her website, www.sarahbethbriggs.co.uk. "My selection for my first major recital recording celebrates Mozart's 250th anniversary with one of his most delightful piano sonatas, as well as taking the listener on a fascinating musical journey through the classical and romantic periods to the 20th century," she says.

Tickets for next Friday's concert cost £8 to £11 on 01904 432439.