James Rhodes has no formal academic musical education or dedicated mentoring. The title of his debut album "Razor Blades, Little Pills and Big Pianos" hints at the suffering that dogged Rhodes' childhood and early adult life. Classical music became his solace and key to his survival. It was Bach, Beethoven and Chopin - not faith, hope and charity, that offered comfort.

In 1993 mental health issues stopped him taking up a scholarship to the Guildhall and suffering further setbacks due to health issues, it was not until 2008 - when Rhodes met his present manager, Denis Blais - that he was encouraged to record his first CD. This enabled him to bare his soul and put many of the ghosts of the past to rest.

With Blais, Rhodes also created a distinctive and unique approach to how the classical piano repertoire should be presented. They decided it was time for him to communicate directly with the audience and introduce his own programme notes, sharing what it takes to perform these works of art, using fascinating anecdotes. Delivered in his unique trademark stand-up style he creates an immersive experience that has won him and classical music a dedicated new following.

Having performed in non-traditional classical venues such as the 100 Club, the Tabernacle and Proud Galleries, James built on this new revolutionary performance approach. The pinnacle performance being at London's historical Roundhouse where he was the first classical pianist to perform since it's reopening.

In March 2010, Rhodes became the first core classical pianist to be signed to the world's largest rock label, Warner Bros Records.

This particular performance was recorded in front of a live Hay audience at the 2010 festival.

Compositions performed are:
- Adagio from Oboe Concerto in D Minor - Marcello/Bach
- Sonata in C Op 53 Waldstein - Beethoven
- Toccata, Adagio and Fugue in C BWV 564 - Bach/Busoni
- Blumenfeld's Etude for the Left Hand
- In the Hall of the Mountain King - Edvard Grieg