BBC Young Musician of the Year Finals - BBC Four

[ardcarp]

Agreed, Calibs. I have to modify the somewhat harsh words made in post #7. Given BBC's mission to be 'accessible' they did a good job on tonight's keyboard final. Yes, we'd all like to have heard more complete pieces,, but the programme was far less cringeworthy than in the recent past. And they are making complete pieces available on i-Player. I was slightly surprised by the judge's choice, but pleased for the winner. Leaving all else aside, the sheer technical brilliance of all the players must surely set a new standard? The 11-year-old lad....yes he's got some musical maturing to do maybe....but is there anything he couldn't get his fingers around? The Liszt Erlkonig transcription is fiendish.

PS Just finished watching the complete keyboard final on i-Player. Presentation admirably concise and to the point. Astonishing performances from all, IMHO, and not just dexterity but real musicianship too.

[MrGongGong]

I haven't watched any of it (yet)
But a friend on FB has commented on how good it is to see so many youngsters from state schools in the competition this year

[ardcarp]

...ah, but the winner?

You make a good point though. It is an undeniable fact that many independent schools have large and well-funded music departments. They also give generous scholarships (some state-assisted or even free, such as at Wells) to kids with musical gifts. I wish this situation otherwise, in the sense that the state ought to recognise the huge benefits of musical performance and participation in schools. But...lack of funds and, I regret, lack of will persists.

This is an oft rehearsed argument here on the Forum, but sadly all we can do is talk about it.

[Barbirollians]

It is ridiculous though when the BBC has had to stop making most drama and has so little sport to show that they could not find room for this on a bigger channel . Heavens when I was a kid it was on BBC1 and the final was on BBC1 on the Sunday night. Anna Markland's winning performance was followed by Thatcher's " rejoice " speech over the recovery of South Georgia .

[EnemyoftheStoat]

Anna Markland's winning performance was followed by Thatcher's " rejoice " speech over the recovery of South Georgia .

Maybe the BBC are saving the 2020 version to act as a prelude to the current incumbent’s victory speech.

[oddoneout]

It is ridiculous though when the BBC has had to stop making most drama and has so little sport to show that they could not find room for this on a bigger channel . Heavens when I was a kid it was on BBC1 and the final was on BBC1 on the Sunday night. Anna Markland's winning performance was followed by Thatcher's " rejoice " speech over the recovery of South Georgia .

My thoughts, as posted earlier. Despite all the obstacles this country still seems to be good at music, and it's a shame(and disgrace) that successive governments' antipathy to the arts prevents recognition of that. Any consideration of economic 'recovery' post virus and Brexit will never include such unquantifiables as music, visual and dramatic arts.

[jonfan]

Brilliant, life-enhancing programme. A pity the Extended version couldn’t be the only version, after all it's only 30 minutes longer than the programme shown on BBC Four. Replace with the superb Anna L with Leon M and it’s a done deal.

[Nick Armstrong]

Brilliant, life-enhancing programme. A pity the Extended version couldn’t be the only version, after all it's only 30 minutes longer than the programme shown on BBC Four. Replace with the superb Anna L with Leon M and it’s a done deal.

Agreed.

[Barbirollians]

I was delighted , especially after the presenter and Leon McCawley chose someone else , with the jury's choice - much the most emotional and musical playing to my ears. The other four were all technically outstanding but didn't move me much.

[oddoneout]

I wasn't listening properly at the relevant point but I think Ian Skelly said something about playing recordings of the finalists on EC?

[Nick Armstrong]

Lovely tweet from Anna Lapwood plus clip of the astounding 11 year old from King’s College School playing the Bach Contrapunctus 9

https://twitter.com/annalapwood/stat...125586946?s=21

[ardcarp]

One thing I always ponder on is the almost miraculous brain-finger-memory thing displayed especially by pianists, though to some extent by all fine musicians. If you asked a scientist how it is possible to memorise/recall/execute the millions of bits of information required for those finalists' performances, they would not be able to come up with any sort of answer...even if they could comprehend the question!

[oddoneout]

One thing I always ponder on is the almost miraculous brain-finger-memory thing displayed especially by pianists, though to some extent by all fine musicians. If you asked a scientist how it is possible to memorise/recall/execute the millions of bits of information required for those finalists' performances, they would not be able to come up with any sort of answer...even if they could comprehend the question!

Is it any more miraculous than the processing the brain does all the time to enable our very existence and functioning? Surely all part and parcel of being a human. If you asked the right kind of scientist they might be able to come up with some kind of answer and I'm sure, even if they couldn't, those who are also musicians would join in your wonder that it is possible.

[MrGongGong]

Is it any more miraculous than the processing the brain does all the time to enable our very existence and functioning? Surely all part and parcel of being a human. If you asked the right kind of scientist they might be able to come up with some kind of answer and I'm sure, even if they couldn't, those who are also musicians would join in your wonder that it is possible.

I asked a "scientist" and they say "no effing idea mate, I'm an expert on Rhizopus Stolonifer. Now go away, I've got some toast on"

[kernelbogey]

One thing I always ponder on is the almost miraculous brain-finger-memory thing displayed especially by pianists, though to some extent by all fine musicians. If you asked a scientist how it is possible to memorise/recall/execute the millions of bits of information required for those finalists' performances, they would not be able to come up with any sort of answer...even if they could comprehend the question!

Agreed! I suspect (Mr GG's mate notwithstanding ) that the rapid advances being made in neuroscience will soon have some answers, if they don't already.

(A propos, I learned to play the piano, briefly and badly, giving up something like 65+ years ago. Of one piece I learned, the Harry Lime theme, I can still play a dozen or so bars, more or less, which has sometimes (briefly!) amused members of my family. Astonishing that it remains, albeit faultily, in my unpractised fingers.)