BBC Young Musicians 2012 Semi final.

[salymap]

Just started on BBC2. from 6pm to 7.30 pm. I agree with gamba, it's such a hotch-potch it's very hard to watch.

[Mary Chambers]

It is, but I love to see such talent when I think of what usually passes as 'talent' on television. Pity any of them are missed out of the final, though.

[Alison]

Did we really need a semi final ?

[teamsaint]

Did we really need a semi final ?

I think the need to follow football's lead and have play offs, and extra time.
Penalties would be silly though !!

[Pipisme]

I don't see the point of the semi-final. The final has three categories and is a two hour broadcast on BBC Two with each finalist playing a concerto of their choice. If there were a five category final I would think that five concertos could be fitted into to a two hours 30 minutes to two hours 45 minutes broadcast.

I'm looking forward to the final tonight.

[salymap]

There is an interesting article in the Radio Times about the semi finalists but it is obvious, [as if I didn't already know]. that the right parents and background have a lot to do with the children who come through to the final. The young cellist, who I hope will win, already studies abroad with Leonid Gorokhov and has every advantage.
It makes one admire all the violinists, pianists and others who in the past have worked their way up to classical excellence - people like Campoli, Ernest Hall [trumpet] etc.

[Simon]

the right parents and background have a lot to do

As they do with all children's education. It's not all about wealth or talent, though certainly the latter is necessary.

[french frank]

By request, I have moved the comments on the final to the relevant thread on the Performance board.