BBC Young Musician 2022

[kernelbogey]

Pianists....where do you start? The 14-year-old had formidable technique, but possibly his programme let him down in terms of variety.
Does anyone find having he main judge, namely Anna Lapwood, joining the 'chat team' after the decision has been made but before the result is announced a bit offside? I was very happy with the choice of winner. I guess both Mark Wigglesworth and Ethan will need all their powers of perception at play in the orchestral grand final.

I tuned in (as we used to say) during the playing by the 14-year-old. Then, hearing Ms Erdogan next, I instantly thought 'she's got it' - obviously without having heard the others! I thought her musicianship exquisite. I would have put her on a par with the winner, and also with the Irish woman, who was superb too.

I could have wished for fewer Liszt pieces (but that's just me). The Chinese lad (who had appeared before) had fantastic technique but I think it was a mistake (as I think Anna L said) to have entered only one piece.

Anna L singled out the winner's tone, attributing its excellence to his being unsighted. I'm not sufficiently skilled to have identified that, but happy to acknowledge the judges' pick, on that and other bases.

I am looking forward to the finale.

(PS Apologies for not having individual names to hand.)

[kernelbogey]

...Does anyone find having he main judge, namely Anna Lapwood, joining the 'chat team' after the decision has been made but before the result is announced a bit offside?...

No - but I'm afraid I find Jess a bit toe-curling (and over-exposed). She and her fellow-presenter did a reasonable job of navigating between serious musical commentary and "approachable presenter warmth" . By contrast Anna L has a superb gift for talking musically without talking down....

[Nick Armstrong]

Pianists....where do you start? The 14-year-old had formidable technique, but possibly his programme let him down in terms of variety.

I thought the first player, the girl with Turkish heritage, was the best of the five… but shall catch the radio programme to see if that changes my impressions.

Nice to have some substantial music rather than the showpieces which tend to dominate the other rounds (although I’d put the Liszt stuff in the latter category )

[Nick Armstrong]

No - but I'm afraid I find Jess a bit toe-curling (and over-exposed).

I’d put it more strongly but ardy doesn’t want the thread to lurch into presenter-bashing Suffice to say that the fast-forward button was red hot… (Those side-looks to camera when others are talking… )

[Lordgeous]

Archie Camden told an anecdote of his experience of such a screen when he auditioned for a bassoon scholarship place at the RMCM, funded by Hans Richter who insisted onthe Heckel instrument. Young Archie went in for it though he had only just begun to learn the instrument, and as he attempted tomplay he saw the screen shaking as if someone was trying not to laugh. He later heard that it was Richter himself; he won the scholarship.

Reminded me of harpsichordist Gerald Gifford's tale: "More years ago than I care to remember I won the RCM's harpsichord competition, which George Malcolm adjudicated. We weren't given the adjudicator's written remarks or notes, though I did manage to inveigle sight of them through the kindness of the Registrar's Secretary. George was clearly amused by my initials and had memorably commented I had 'clearly come from a different stable to the rest'!"

[pastoralguy]

Tastefully put. I've been wondering have there been other blind 'classical' pianists of note?

There was a pianist called Bernard d’Ascoli who was blind who had a good career. He was the first person I ever saw at the Wigmore Hall.

[ardcarp]

France produced many blind organists via L'Institut des Jeunes Aveugles, including André Marchal, Jean Langlais, and Gaston Litaize.

Changing the subject, we were lead to believe (in the highlights from the BBC Young Musician category finals screened this week) that it would be possible to see complete performances on the BBC iplayer. Well, we've tried and we can't. Anyone know how to find them?

[Nick Armstrong]

I thought the first player, the girl with Turkish heritage, was the best of the five… but shall catch the radio programme to see if that changes my impressions.

And listening on the radio duly did give a different focus - the winner’s three pieces shone more than through the tv screen… A worthy winner I think - although the musical revelation to me was the Scriabin Fantasie Op. 28 despite Ms. Erdogan’s performance coming across slightly less impressively on radio.

And ardy, yes no sign of the complete category finals on iPlayer - although there are a few complete pieces randomly included on this page, further down:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00bb3wt

[Ein Heldenleben]

France produced many blind organists via L'Institut des Jeunes Aveugles, including André Marchal, Jean Langlais, and Gaston Litaize.

Changing the subject, we were lead to believe (in the highlights from the BBC Young Musician category finals screened this week) that it would be possible to see complete performances on the BBC iplayer. Well, we've tried and we can't. Anyone know how to find them?

Yes - the complete iPlayer performances were trailed at the end but don’t seem to be there. Mind you the final final keyboard piece wasn’t by Scriabin as announced by Ian S but by Scarlatti.
Oh apparently it was by Scriabin says Ian despite his Scarlatti suspicions - his 12th etude - could have fooled me …
Checked - As I thought the 12th etude is the absolute wrist breaker Octave study Horowitz played so magnificently as an encore..Ian’s ears were right!
Worthy winner but the harsh top notes on the Saffron Steinway didn’t favour the Liszt pieces I thought.

[Pianorak]

BBC Young Musician 2022 Final today : Radio 3 - 19.30 and BBC4 - 19:00

[Dave2002]

There was a pianist called Bernard d’Ascoli who was blind who had a good career. He was the first person I ever saw at the Wigmore Hall.

AFAIK he is still alive. Thanks for reminding me of this, as I was trying to remember his name recently. We heard him play quite some time ago - and were amazed that he was able to play so well. He played superbly and sensitively I recall.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernard_d%27Ascoli

[Dave2002]

Now trying to catch up with these on iPlayer. One query I have is about dynamics. Have the dynamics been flattened beyond recognition in most of the performances? I find it very hard to make any sort of sensible judgement based on the sound I hear. It may be that some of the performers were in fact shading the dynamics in their performances really well, but something in the audio chain has completely taken out any significant dynamic variation.

Or is it just my hearing ... and imagination?

[Ein Heldenleben]

Have to say that the standard of the musicianship in this is really top notch . This viola player has a such a lovely tone…forget the jokes it’s a wonderful instrument. Which leads me to my long held belief that the strings should get two spots in the final to recognise their orchestral importance and the reported dearth of UK school children taking up the instruments,

[Bryn]

Now trying to catch up with these on iPlayer. One query I have is about dynamics. Have the dynamics been flattened beyond recognition in most of the performances? I find it very hard to make any sort of sensible judgement based on the sound I hear. It may be that some of the performers were in fact shading the dynamics in their performances really well, but something in the audio chain has completely taken out any significant dynamic variation.

Or is it just my hearing ... and imagination?

Radio 3 or BBC FOUR? If the former, FM, DAB or BBC Sounds?

[Ein Heldenleben]

My word this extraordinary blind pianist Ethan Lock learns the pieces by ear from recordings with his mother checking against score - an absolutely amazing feat.