BBC Young Musician

[cubscout]

Oh my lord. Who saw this last night? The girl that won the string final was just 14 years old. Truly gifted, she stood out a mile. Wonderful performance, not just technically perfect, but with such depth and emotional maturity.

Can you tell I loved it!

bugger I missed it...love watching that

I thought she was wonderful but felt very sad about the violinist fromYMS as she was brilliant too.

Amazed at the cellist travelling to Germany for lessons

Well deserved I thought. What a star! Hope she wins the competition.

She has!! Amazing playing.

Wasn't it inspiring? I loved the recorder player too, but Laura really and truely has a special gift. Absolutely astonishing.

I was really pleased to see that two out of the top three attend ordinary state schools. Definitely not against specialist schools but it's nice to know that other options are available. Ok, they both attend JDs, but then this is more realistically available to the wider public, especially with bursaries/scholarships available. Its also nice to realise that it is possible to achieve this and to mix in an 'ordinary' environment too.

Ok, just gone and got my facts straight. Recorder player was state educated but is now at CLSG - not that this makes much difference to her achievements!

Ok, they both attend JDs, but then this is more realistically available to the wider public, especially with bursaries/scholarships available.

I think you find the majority of pupils in specialist schools are on bursaries.
In fact JDs are very costly especially if you have to travel. I wonder how much the trips to Germany for lessons cost (+ Italian cello)?

It's expensive business whichever way you look at it.

It's expensive business whichever way you look at it.---Abosolutely!

Talent+endless hard work+ huge cost, result is there is only one winner.

Tough!

Laura played so effortlessly, with so much grace, it was a pleasure to watch her. She also had her own voice, unique sound which made her stand out I think.

I doubt you can teach that - must be a Gods given talent. Plus hard work of cause..

How about the pianist Yuanfan?

He was great. I am sure he'll go very far. His own piece was very impressive as well. Would hate to be in a position to chose between the finalists.
I thought Laura had that little bit of extra magic though.

Pianomama, Thanks for sharing your view.

I find YMOTY a real disappointment compared to what it once was. There is very little substance to it and it's all about personality and increasingly, how young they are. There were applicants in the rounds pre-filming that deserved places over most of those that got to the televised sections. I thought the standard of pianists in particular this year was pretty poor.

The age of the contestants does seem to be more and more emphasised lately.
I think this might be because the rules changed a few years back so that 18 at the time of entry is the upper limit. I don't recall the precise terms. It used to be 19 I believe.

This makes it very difficult for the ones who reach the right standard in their A level years. Before embarking on the early rounds they have to have mapped out their programme and begin working up a concerto.
The category semis are hard on the heels of A level modules and, for YM 2010, the second round in London clashed with Oxford interviews and Trinity auditions so some dropped out of the competition at that stage. BBC Wales has a lot to answer for.
So you more or less have to peak at age 15 and give it your best shot then.

So you more or less have to peak at age 15 and give it your best shot then. - it is usually a case for future virtuoso players