Born without a right hand, British pianist Nicholas McCarthy is a champion of left-hand-alone repertoire with a busy international career. Ahead of performances with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, he tells Elissa Blake about the challenges (and joys) of playing left-hand repertoire, and why he has become known for shooting out his left leg.

Nicholas McCarthy. Photo © Chris Christodoulou

It’s a mild August morning in the English city of Colchester, some 80 kilometres northeast of London. Nicholas McCarthy is alone in his studio, a sunny outbuilding separate from his home. The walls are lined with scores and books. A black baby grand piano dominates the room.

He’s already a few hours into his workday, he tells Limelight. “I used to be a late riser, but...