0:00:33 > 0:00:36With the semi-final line-up almost complete, there's a real sense
0:00:36 > 0:00:39of anticipation building here at the Royal Welsh College
0:00:39 > 0:00:42of Music and Drama in Cardiff.
0:00:42 > 0:00:48This weekend we reach the thrilling conclusion of BBC Young Musician 2012.
0:00:48 > 0:00:51At the end of tonight's programme we'll have the full line-up
0:00:51 > 0:00:53for the semi-final, which you can see tomorrow evening
0:00:53 > 0:00:56when our coverage switches over to BBC Two.
0:00:56 > 0:01:00The standard has been incredibly high, with four closely-fought
0:01:00 > 0:01:04categories and some nail-biting decisions.
0:01:04 > 0:01:07In last week's programme, we witnessed a bit of competition history
0:01:07 > 0:01:11when Charlotte Barbour-Condini became the first ever recorder player
0:01:11 > 0:01:14to win the Woodwind title.
0:01:14 > 0:01:17Tonight, rhythm takes centre stage as five young performers
0:01:17 > 0:01:19battle it out to win the percussion title...
0:01:22 > 0:01:24and move one step closer to the main prize.
0:01:29 > 0:01:32It's clearly a great start to your professional career.
0:01:32 > 0:01:34Whatever they go on to do in their future careers,
0:01:34 > 0:01:36this will stay with them forever.
0:01:36 > 0:01:39If you win Young Musician, you've made it.
0:01:39 > 0:01:42I watched on TV and thought wouldn't it be great to do that?
0:01:44 > 0:01:47Gives them an opportunity they can't possibly have anywhere else.
0:01:47 > 0:01:50It helps you understand what performance is.
0:01:50 > 0:01:52You have to get every note to the highest possible standard.
0:01:52 > 0:01:55My life has been changed.
0:01:59 > 0:02:02Certainly a great step on the career ladder.
0:02:02 > 0:02:05I wouldn't be here right now if I hadn't won it.
0:02:07 > 0:02:08It's amazing!
0:02:12 > 0:02:15The percussion round was introduced in 1994
0:02:15 > 0:02:19and is always full of variety, excitement and showmanship.
0:02:19 > 0:02:23Each competitor has to demonstrate their musical talent
0:02:23 > 0:02:25over a range of instruments from the tuned,
0:02:25 > 0:02:30like the marimba, to the untuned, like the snare drum.
0:02:30 > 0:02:32Reaching this stage of the competition is a huge
0:02:32 > 0:02:34achievement in itself
0:02:34 > 0:02:38but tonight's finalists will be hoping their journey doesn't end here.
0:02:38 > 0:02:42They'll be looking to impress the judges with dazzling technique
0:02:42 > 0:02:45across a contemporary repertoire that's very different
0:02:45 > 0:02:47from what we've heard so far in the competition.
0:02:47 > 0:02:51Expect the unexpected - everything from digital backing tracks
0:02:51 > 0:02:54to shouting, to a self-penned composition.
0:02:54 > 0:02:57Let's meet our five percussion finalists.
0:03:00 > 0:03:05First, 17-year-old James Larter from Northampton,
0:03:05 > 0:03:08who also reached this stage of the competition two years ago.
0:03:08 > 0:03:10Being here the second time is really great.
0:03:10 > 0:03:13I am much more relaxed, definitely more prepared for it.
0:03:13 > 0:03:17I'm looking forward to the performance as a whole,
0:03:17 > 0:03:2120 minutes of intense pieces.
0:03:21 > 0:03:23It's a bit of a marathon, if I am honest.
0:03:26 > 0:03:3018-year-old Richard Rayner from Chelmsford in Essex.
0:03:30 > 0:03:32I've been practising the pieces
0:03:32 > 0:03:34but I haven't been practising too much.
0:03:34 > 0:03:38I think there has to be an element of my performance
0:03:38 > 0:03:40which I don't know what's going to happen.
0:03:40 > 0:03:43As I have gone further in the competition,
0:03:43 > 0:03:45I've started to enjoy it and I can't wait to perform.
0:03:50 > 0:03:55From Totnes in Devon, 18-year-old Molly Lopresti.
0:03:55 > 0:03:59I'm feeling very nervous but really excited as well.
0:04:01 > 0:04:03To win this category final means so much.
0:04:03 > 0:04:07I never thought I'd get this far. To win it would be amazing.
0:04:13 > 0:04:17Peter Rayner is 15 years old and comes from Chelmsford in Essex.
0:04:17 > 0:04:21Yesterday, I felt really nervous.
0:04:21 > 0:04:23I thought, "Oh my god, it's the competition tomorrow!"
0:04:23 > 0:04:28I'm feeling more relaxed and excited about it now.
0:04:28 > 0:04:31I'm going to try my hardest and play my best
0:04:31 > 0:04:33and I'm looking forward to it.
0:04:37 > 0:04:42And 16-year-old Hyun-gi Lee, originally from Seoul in South Korea,
0:04:42 > 0:04:44but now studying in the UK.
0:04:44 > 0:04:50I can't wait to perform my pieces and show audiences
0:04:50 > 0:04:52and the judges what I can do.
0:04:55 > 0:04:58I'm quite proud of myself coming this far,
0:04:58 > 0:05:02but I'm very excited and happy to be here.
0:05:19 > 0:05:21CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:05:21 > 0:05:24Since the category was introduced back in 1994,
0:05:24 > 0:05:26only one percussionist has won the main prize.
0:05:26 > 0:05:28And the winner is Adrian Spillett.
0:05:30 > 0:05:3214 years after his triumph,
0:05:32 > 0:05:36Adrian Spillett is back tonight as a member of our jury.
0:05:36 > 0:05:39Let's meet him and the other expert decision-makers.
0:05:44 > 0:05:46They are...
0:05:46 > 0:05:49Adrian Spillett, celebrated percussionist
0:05:49 > 0:05:53and winner of the BBC Young Musician title in 1998.
0:05:53 > 0:05:58Certainly looking for some virtuosity, someone to blow us away
0:05:58 > 0:06:01with some amazing skills and dexterity and strength and power.
0:06:01 > 0:06:04But also the complete contrast as well.
0:06:04 > 0:06:08Have they really used the full range of dynamics to keep their programme alive?
0:06:08 > 0:06:12Andrea Vogler, an acclaimed performer and educator
0:06:12 > 0:06:15and the first female to reach the BBC Young Musician percussion finals.
0:06:15 > 0:06:18I think the winning performer will need a good combination
0:06:18 > 0:06:22of all three elements, the music, musicality, and the way to perform.
0:06:22 > 0:06:25But you have to back that up with a secure technique as well.
0:06:25 > 0:06:28And our general adjudicator, Gareth Jones,
0:06:28 > 0:06:32Conductor and Founder of Sinfonia Cymru.
0:06:32 > 0:06:35It's the musician you're after, rather than the technician.
0:06:35 > 0:06:40You have to have a real conviction in the programme you've put forward and belief in it.
0:06:40 > 0:06:43Tonight, I would like to see someone challenge themselves
0:06:43 > 0:06:47but challenge the audience for something obscure, off the wall.
0:06:47 > 0:06:49So there we have it, our three decision-makers looking
0:06:49 > 0:06:54for the extra-special something from our percussion finalists tonight.
0:06:59 > 0:07:02Well, there's tension in the air here in Cardiff,
0:07:02 > 0:07:06as the battle of the percussionists is about to begin.
0:07:06 > 0:07:11The jury are taking their seats and the audience are eagerly waiting.
0:07:11 > 0:07:15It's time to hear the first of tonight's competitors.
0:07:15 > 0:07:17It's never easy to go first
0:07:17 > 0:07:20but 17-year-old James Larter is no stranger to this competition.
0:07:31 > 0:07:34James Larter reached this stage of BBC Young Musician in 2010.
0:07:36 > 0:07:39Being through to the category finals again is really good,
0:07:39 > 0:07:43although there's an added element of pressure.
0:07:43 > 0:07:44HE SHOUTS
0:07:44 > 0:07:47I got to the final last time and didn't get any further.
0:07:49 > 0:07:53I think there's more pressure to improve on that.
0:07:53 > 0:07:56Two years on, and James is now a full-time student
0:07:56 > 0:08:00at the Purcell School of music in Watford.
0:08:00 > 0:08:04Purcell was very supportive in the sense that it gives you lots of opportunities
0:08:04 > 0:08:08to perform pieces you might be working on for competitions like this one.
0:08:13 > 0:08:16Since joining the school,
0:08:16 > 0:08:20James's timetable has been jam-packed with musical activities.
0:08:22 > 0:08:26People like James soon become a kingpin in the musical life
0:08:26 > 0:08:28of a school like this.
0:08:28 > 0:08:31He's got the spark. He's a musical firework.
0:08:34 > 0:08:37James has been a fantastic livewire since joining Purcell School.
0:08:37 > 0:08:40Very good at what percussionists have to do,
0:08:40 > 0:08:43which is be part of a team, get organised,
0:08:43 > 0:08:47get the gear in and out as well as play magnificently.
0:08:47 > 0:08:50James has formed a duo with his friend
0:08:50 > 0:08:53and former Purcell student, the clarinettist Jordan Black,
0:08:53 > 0:08:56also a category finalist in this year's competition.
0:08:56 > 0:08:59We started doing some light music like Flight of the Bumblebee
0:08:59 > 0:09:01and Maple Leaf Rag.
0:09:01 > 0:09:04We arranged these for percussion and clarinet
0:09:04 > 0:09:07which is quite an odd combo!
0:09:09 > 0:09:12With just a week to go before BBC Young Musician, James is hoping
0:09:12 > 0:09:17to create a splash after setting himself another huge challenge.
0:09:17 > 0:09:21We're doing a charity swim for Water Aid and we're swimming
0:09:21 > 0:09:23the Channel in this pool, which is 21.5 miles
0:09:23 > 0:09:27and we're hoping to do it in 10 hours.
0:09:27 > 0:09:30We'd better get training!
0:09:37 > 0:09:41Whenever he can, James heads home to visit his parents in Northampton.
0:09:41 > 0:09:44As well as taking a bit of a break from his studies,
0:09:44 > 0:09:47it's a chance to get his ironing done.
0:09:47 > 0:09:51James is a great lover of patterned crazy shirts.
0:09:51 > 0:09:54Probably some of James's best shirts are mine,
0:09:54 > 0:09:58- I think I would have to say. - It's his trademark now.
0:09:58 > 0:10:01Well, shirts are one thing but right from an early age,
0:10:01 > 0:10:03James's biggest passion has been percussion.
0:10:03 > 0:10:07- He was forever drumming on the table and doing things like that. - Tapping, tapping!
0:10:07 > 0:10:10He was involved in a lot of things at school,
0:10:10 > 0:10:14he was in a samba band and he entered competitions
0:10:14 > 0:10:16and won a cup and he was very proud of that.
0:10:16 > 0:10:19As he got better, it took over more.
0:10:19 > 0:10:23Once he had been at the Royal College for a year or so,
0:10:23 > 0:10:26he then knew that's what he wanted to be, a musician.
0:10:29 > 0:10:33James has attended the Junior Department of the Royal College of Music
0:10:33 > 0:10:37for the past seven years and has percussion lessons with teacher Claire Hasted.
0:10:37 > 0:10:40James loves performing.
0:10:40 > 0:10:42He loves showboating.
0:10:42 > 0:10:46He loves all the fast flashy crazy things.
0:10:46 > 0:10:50James will thrive under the pressure on the performance night.
0:10:50 > 0:10:52He loves... Not leaving it to the last minute,
0:10:52 > 0:10:56but in years gone by I have called him Last-minute Larter.
0:10:56 > 0:10:59He loves to kind of leave it to the last minute, have a surge,
0:10:59 > 0:11:02he gets the extra adrenaline and goes for it.
0:11:02 > 0:11:05He somehow pulls it out of the bag. I think that's how he works.
0:11:05 > 0:11:09It's always really good. And on the edge. Which is exciting.
0:11:11 > 0:11:15James Larter is ready for this competition.
0:11:15 > 0:11:20He's arrived at the right place at exactly the right time.
0:11:22 > 0:11:27Well, it's time to find out as bedecked in another splendid shirt,
0:11:27 > 0:11:32James Larter opens this category final.
0:11:32 > 0:11:33APPLAUSE
0:11:36 > 0:11:40The first piece I am going to play is Hugh's Chilled Red by Alan Emslie.
0:11:40 > 0:11:44It's technically challenging with lots of fast stick work
0:11:44 > 0:11:48and it also uses quite a few extended techniques on the snare drum.
0:14:20 > 0:14:23APPLAUSE
0:14:23 > 0:14:26Well, James does look completely comfortable up there.
0:14:26 > 0:14:30What a cracking start to this evening's performances.
0:14:30 > 0:14:34The second piece I am going to play is the first movement
0:14:34 > 0:14:36from Trilogy by Dave Maric.
0:14:36 > 0:14:39It's got a whole load of instruments - marimba, vibraphone,
0:14:39 > 0:14:41lots of little bits.
0:14:41 > 0:14:44And I think the most challenging thing about that is
0:14:44 > 0:14:48getting it together with the CD and really grooving with it.
0:17:00 > 0:17:04APPLAUSE
0:17:04 > 0:17:06It's just great theatre, isn't it?
0:17:06 > 0:17:09It's absolutely incredible to watch James just
0:17:09 > 0:17:12leaping around the stage - the first time we've seen a real
0:17:12 > 0:17:14multi-percussion ensemble piece going on.
0:17:14 > 0:17:18He seemed to love it. The CD backing track,
0:17:18 > 0:17:22I know the influences range far and wide from trance music and drum and bass.
0:17:22 > 0:17:26He was just completely into it. A great way to start this final.
0:17:29 > 0:17:33The third piece I am going to play is Marimba Spiritual
0:17:33 > 0:17:35and I will play both movements.
0:17:35 > 0:17:41The first movement is a requiem to the 1980s African famine in Ethiopia.
0:17:41 > 0:17:48It's got a mixture of angry emotions, pity, sadness.
0:18:59 > 0:19:02The second movement is a lively sort of resurrection.
0:19:02 > 0:19:04There's lots of shouting.
0:19:11 > 0:19:14I think it'll be really exciting, especially as I am being
0:19:14 > 0:19:19accompanied by one of my good friends on the Japanese drums.
0:20:53 > 0:20:58APPLAUSE
0:20:58 > 0:21:01Electrifying performance from James Larter.
0:21:01 > 0:21:03Wow, he has set the bar incredibly high.
0:21:03 > 0:21:06He looked like he was having the time of his life
0:21:06 > 0:21:09and the audience clearly loved it.
0:21:09 > 0:21:12His teachers look pretty delighted, too. I wonder what James is feeling.
0:21:12 > 0:21:15It's over!
0:21:15 > 0:21:18Understandably relieved. So, what did the judges make of that?
0:21:20 > 0:21:23- Very, very energetic performance from James.- It was exciting.
0:21:23 > 0:21:26He definitely engaged the audience, no doubt.
0:21:26 > 0:21:30What a performance, what a way to open the final. How does it feel?
0:21:30 > 0:21:34Very exhausting. I picked a very exhausting programme.
0:21:34 > 0:21:37- You did look like you were having the time of your life. - Yeah, definitely.
0:21:37 > 0:21:42I thought he was fantastic. It was a wonderful performance. I was so proud of him.
0:21:47 > 0:21:50Next up, Richard Rayner, and in a first for this competition,
0:21:50 > 0:21:53he'll go head-to-head with his younger brother, Peter,
0:21:53 > 0:21:55who we'll see later on in this final.
0:21:55 > 0:21:58It's obviously a very musical but rather noisy household.
0:22:06 > 0:22:12# So quiet Shh, shh
0:22:12 > 0:22:16# It's oh, so still... #
0:22:16 > 0:22:21Richard comes from the tranquil countryside near Chelmsford in Essex.
0:22:21 > 0:22:25# And so peaceful until... #
0:22:25 > 0:22:26DRUM KIT PLAYS
0:22:26 > 0:22:29Well, it's not only Richard.
0:22:29 > 0:22:32There's his brother, Peter, who is also in this category final.
0:22:32 > 0:22:34Luke.
0:22:34 > 0:22:38And Rebecca. Four very noisy siblings in the Rayner household.
0:22:38 > 0:22:39How do the parents cope?
0:22:39 > 0:22:42We just let them get on with it, to be honest with you.
0:22:42 > 0:22:43We stick them outside
0:22:43 > 0:22:46and let the neighbours put up with it.
0:22:50 > 0:22:52Richard, the eldest of the Rayner Fab Four,
0:22:52 > 0:22:55was determined to play the drums from an early age.
0:22:55 > 0:22:58I got into drums when I was about five.
0:22:58 > 0:23:01There was always a drum kit at our house cos dad was in a band
0:23:01 > 0:23:03and I was never allowed to touch it.
0:23:03 > 0:23:07So that immediately made me want to touch it, and so I did.
0:23:07 > 0:23:11Well, Richard's determination certainly paid off.
0:23:11 > 0:23:15He won the title Young Drummer of the Year in 2009.
0:23:15 > 0:23:19He also became well known for his hairstyles.
0:23:19 > 0:23:21It started off in, like, a fan Mohican.
0:23:21 > 0:23:24And then it turned into these big spikes.
0:23:24 > 0:23:27They just sort of stuck on my head.
0:23:27 > 0:23:30Yeah, that was a lot of fun. But no more.
0:23:30 > 0:23:32Got to take it seriously now.
0:23:36 > 0:23:41When he was 16, Richard gained a scholarship to Felsted School,
0:23:41 > 0:23:43where he now boards.
0:23:43 > 0:23:47Here, he has plenty of support to focus on his music studies and practice.
0:23:47 > 0:23:52Richard is one of the most single-minded
0:23:52 > 0:23:54and driven young people I've ever known.
0:23:54 > 0:23:57To have someone so focused on where he's going
0:23:57 > 0:24:00and where he sees himself ending up is really inspirational.
0:24:00 > 0:24:02Whether that means conservatoire,
0:24:02 > 0:24:04or whether that means rock stardom,
0:24:04 > 0:24:05at this stage, who knows?
0:24:05 > 0:24:08But whatever it is, he'll be great at it
0:24:08 > 0:24:09and he will inspire other people.
0:24:12 > 0:24:16It's Saturday and the Rayner family are reunited.
0:24:16 > 0:24:19Both Richard and brother Peter attend Junior Guildhall
0:24:19 > 0:24:22for a full day of music making.
0:24:27 > 0:24:30Richard's a very natural performer, always has been.
0:24:30 > 0:24:34That's one of his strengths. He's always looked comfortable at an instrument.
0:24:34 > 0:24:35You just believe what he's playing.
0:24:35 > 0:24:37That sounds like the X Factor but it's true.
0:24:40 > 0:24:44He is one of the very few people who can play the drum kit the way he does,
0:24:44 > 0:24:48and then walk to a marimba and play that equally sensitively.
0:24:48 > 0:24:51We can go between genres so easily.
0:24:51 > 0:24:55He's always been able to feel music, no matter what style of music it is.
0:25:01 > 0:25:06He does lots and lots of different things, which makes him very open-minded.
0:25:06 > 0:25:10He'll do this jazz lesson at 8.30 on Saturday morning
0:25:10 > 0:25:14after playing in the Carling Academy with his rock band the night before.
0:25:17 > 0:25:18I've just done three weeks in Thailand
0:25:18 > 0:25:21and I've got a UK tour starting next week.
0:25:24 > 0:25:27So I haven't had much time to practise recently.
0:25:27 > 0:25:28Indeed.
0:25:28 > 0:25:32Richard's currently going down a storm drumming with his band, Franco.
0:25:32 > 0:25:37ROCK MUSIC
0:25:45 > 0:25:48# Take me to your foreign land... #
0:25:48 > 0:25:51I've been in Franco for about nine months now.
0:25:51 > 0:25:54Since I've joined, it's just been an amazing experience.
0:25:54 > 0:25:56It's just so different to classical music and jazz,
0:25:56 > 0:25:58which is what I'm used to.
0:25:58 > 0:26:00I think I've been able to take things away from that
0:26:00 > 0:26:02and adapt it to orchestral music.
0:26:02 > 0:26:06Hopefully that's something I'll be able to show in the percussion finals.
0:26:06 > 0:26:09# All hands on deck... #
0:26:09 > 0:26:12Richard's certainly no stranger to the spotlight
0:26:12 > 0:26:15and he clearly loves playing to a crowd.
0:26:15 > 0:26:19But will this confidence be reflected on the BBC Young Musician stage?
0:26:19 > 0:26:22I would like to think that performing is one of my strengths.
0:26:22 > 0:26:26I just get into the moment, really. I enjoy performing to people.
0:26:26 > 0:26:29And hopefully people enjoy watching as well.
0:26:32 > 0:26:35Well, with the support of his bandmates in the wings,
0:26:35 > 0:26:38Richard has just 20 minutes to impress the judges
0:26:38 > 0:26:42in his bid to win this percussion title.
0:26:42 > 0:26:45He's opening with the same piece that James played earlier.
0:26:46 > 0:26:50Hugh's Chilled Red, I think is going to be a good opener for me.
0:26:50 > 0:26:53I really enjoy playing the piece. There's bits where it's loud, quiet,
0:26:53 > 0:26:54where it's unexpected,
0:26:54 > 0:26:57things you do with the sticks you wouldn't normally do in a piece.
0:26:57 > 0:27:00And I think it's going to be a lot of fun and it'll go quite well.
0:28:43 > 0:28:45AUDIENCE MEMBER CLAPS
0:29:00 > 0:29:02APPLAUSE
0:29:02 > 0:29:03Big smile from Richard.
0:29:03 > 0:29:07It'll be interesting to see how the judges compare his and James'
0:29:07 > 0:29:11interpretation of that piece, Hugh's Chilled Red.
0:29:11 > 0:29:13The second piece I'm going to play is called Rotations.
0:29:13 > 0:29:16It's a softer piece on the marimba and it's going to bring the mood down,
0:29:16 > 0:29:21so hopefully when I play the next piece it will be a massive contrast.
0:30:47 > 0:30:51- APPLAUSE - I thought that was just absolutely fantastic from Richard Rayner.
0:30:51 > 0:30:54Really, really involved with his marimba playing there.
0:30:54 > 0:30:58I think it was a tough one for him to start with the same piece that James Larter started with,
0:30:58 > 0:31:01but he really came into his own with the marimba there.
0:31:01 > 0:31:03He's got this wonderful enigmatic little smile.
0:31:03 > 0:31:07He's very involved in it and it's very compelling to watch.
0:31:12 > 0:31:15The third piece, I wrote myself.
0:31:15 > 0:31:19It's called Uprising, for drum kit and some extra little bits and bobs.
0:31:19 > 0:31:23I think it shows off what I can do and because I've written it for myself,
0:31:23 > 0:31:26I've chosen things I know I can do well, and hopefully show off.
0:32:50 > 0:32:55The last piece I'm going to play is called Little Friendly Giant by Lalo.
0:32:55 > 0:32:58It's a lot of fun, because I'm playing it with my bandmates from Franco.
0:32:58 > 0:33:00So the guitarist is playing drums,
0:33:00 > 0:33:03the bass player's playing bass. It's going to be a laugh.
0:35:40 > 0:35:43APPLAUSE AND CHEERING
0:35:49 > 0:35:52Richard seemed completely in his element there, joined on stage
0:35:52 > 0:35:57by a couple of his bandmates and all of them clearly loving every second.
0:35:57 > 0:36:00From the sound of it, the audience loved his performance too,
0:36:00 > 0:36:02but did it impress the judges?
0:36:08 > 0:36:11It departed from the classical music side of things a bit
0:36:11 > 0:36:14more than most people have so far and was a bit more rock and roll.
0:36:14 > 0:36:16So suddenly I feel like I'm backstage at a rock gig,
0:36:16 > 0:36:20not a classical music competition, but for the best possible reasons.
0:36:20 > 0:36:22You totally stormed it out there. How did it feel?
0:36:22 > 0:36:23It was a lot of fun, weren't it?
0:36:23 > 0:36:26It was a really good atmosphere, a really good vibe.
0:36:26 > 0:36:29The audience were really enjoying it, so we were just giving it back.
0:36:29 > 0:36:32Richard's programming was excellent.
0:36:32 > 0:36:34The way he linked worked really well.
0:36:36 > 0:36:40Well, some swaggering bravado from our first two finalists.
0:36:40 > 0:36:42I'm still buzzing after that.
0:36:42 > 0:36:45Still to come, Richard's younger brother Peter
0:36:45 > 0:36:46as well as Hyun-Gi Lee.
0:36:46 > 0:36:49Next up, it's 18-year-old Molly Lopresti.
0:37:03 > 0:37:07Molly Lopresti lives in Totnes in Devon.
0:37:07 > 0:37:10She attends the local school, where her love for percussion
0:37:10 > 0:37:13and performing has flourished.
0:37:14 > 0:37:16I'm not in a specialist music school,
0:37:16 > 0:37:19but I feel that here there's a lot of opportunity
0:37:19 > 0:37:23to play in different ensembles, be involved in different productions.
0:37:23 > 0:37:27I don't feel like I've missed out on anything from being here.
0:37:27 > 0:37:31One of Molly's biggest influences has been Kathy Banks,
0:37:31 > 0:37:33her percussion teacher.
0:37:33 > 0:37:35'When she was 13,
0:37:35 > 0:37:38'she started having lessons with me.
0:37:38 > 0:37:40'She was just an average, lovely student.'
0:37:40 > 0:37:44Within two years, she gained a distinction at Grade 8.
0:37:44 > 0:37:47'It was just amazing to watch her.
0:37:47 > 0:37:51'She really drew you in when she played.'
0:37:52 > 0:37:57Now in her final year at school, it's a busy time for Molly,
0:37:57 > 0:38:00fitting in her practice with her A Levels.
0:38:00 > 0:38:03'Molly is very self-motivated.
0:38:03 > 0:38:05'I've never met an individual'
0:38:05 > 0:38:09who has a focus in her head of what she wants to do and does it.
0:38:09 > 0:38:13I'm just repeating that section that keeps coming back through the piece.
0:38:13 > 0:38:16'It's a delight to have her in the class.'
0:38:16 > 0:38:18I've used her quite a few times to do some actual
0:38:18 > 0:38:21individual teaching and leading sessions in the group.
0:38:21 > 0:38:24That's really good. When you play the scale, look where you're playing it.
0:38:24 > 0:38:26'She is inspiring.'
0:38:26 > 0:38:28There are now lots of young percussionists
0:38:28 > 0:38:30coming up through the school,
0:38:30 > 0:38:33'following in her footsteps.'
0:38:33 > 0:38:35Well done!
0:38:35 > 0:38:38Molly lives at home with her parents
0:38:38 > 0:38:40and her younger sister Tilda.
0:38:40 > 0:38:44It's here that her musical journey began.
0:38:44 > 0:38:47My mum's musical. She plays lots of instruments,
0:38:47 > 0:38:49so music's always been around.
0:38:49 > 0:38:51Also my dad's an actor,
0:38:51 > 0:38:55so he likes to help with my performance, giving me tips.
0:38:55 > 0:38:57They're both really helpful.
0:38:57 > 0:39:00She had been playing music since she was six or seven,
0:39:00 > 0:39:03because she did play at primary school as well.
0:39:03 > 0:39:05Recorder, African drumming.
0:39:05 > 0:39:08It wasn't until she was at secondary school
0:39:08 > 0:39:11that she suddenly moved on very quickly, I think.
0:39:11 > 0:39:14Then we were faced with having to buy a marimba.
0:39:14 > 0:39:17We always knew that was what she really wanted and it was serious.
0:39:22 > 0:39:24Every other Saturday,
0:39:24 > 0:39:28I travel to London on the train to get to Trinity.
0:39:30 > 0:39:33Molly's been taking that four-hour journey to London for lessons
0:39:33 > 0:39:38with percussion teacher Joby Burgess for the past two years.
0:39:38 > 0:39:41Solid.
0:39:41 > 0:39:44'Musically, now, what she's playing compared to two years ago'
0:39:44 > 0:39:49is really technically difficult stuff. Stuff you might be playing
0:39:49 > 0:39:51'third or fourth year at music college or beyond.'
0:39:51 > 0:39:54Just think about cherry blossoms falling from the sky.
0:39:54 > 0:39:57'Whenever I come back from a lesson with Joby, I always feel
0:39:57 > 0:40:01'really inspired, really ready to start practising again.'
0:40:04 > 0:40:07She's just completely devoted to music,
0:40:07 > 0:40:10but she's also devoted to her friends.
0:40:10 > 0:40:15So I think, you know, thank goodness she hasn't become a geeky musician!
0:40:15 > 0:40:17She's also committed to having fun,
0:40:17 > 0:40:21as long as she's done X number of hours' practice that day.
0:40:21 > 0:40:25My friends' support means everything
0:40:25 > 0:40:27and I don't think I could've got this far without them.
0:40:27 > 0:40:30We're so proud of her and definitely wish her the best of luck.
0:40:30 > 0:40:33Really best of luck, we're so pleased.
0:40:33 > 0:40:36ALL: Good luck, Molly!
0:40:42 > 0:40:44Well, there's plenty of Totnes support here,
0:40:44 > 0:40:47ready to cheer Molly on.
0:40:47 > 0:40:51But as she prepares herself for her performance, how is she feeling?
0:40:51 > 0:40:56I'm really worried about just getting on stage and getting so nervous
0:40:56 > 0:40:59that I can't really control the notes and just getting into a mess.
0:40:59 > 0:41:02But hopefully I'll just go on and I'll be calm,
0:41:02 > 0:41:04and I just want to enjoy it.
0:41:04 > 0:41:07APPLAUSE
0:41:07 > 0:41:09Well, Molly likes to play barefoot.
0:41:09 > 0:41:11Hopefully that'll calm her nerves in her first piece.
0:41:11 > 0:41:16Mexican Dance for Marimba by composer Gordon Stout.
0:42:44 > 0:42:48APPLAUSE
0:42:48 > 0:42:52Really engaging start by Molly. Lots of smiles there from Mum and Dad.
0:42:54 > 0:42:58The second piece I'm going to play is A Little Prayer by Evelyn Glennie.
0:42:58 > 0:43:02You really have to imagine maybe a big church just to get
0:43:02 > 0:43:04yourself in the mood, so the audience can really feel
0:43:04 > 0:43:07what you're feeling when you're playing the piece.
0:45:27 > 0:45:30APPLAUSE
0:45:30 > 0:45:33Well, she's absolutely lovely to watch, Molly.
0:45:33 > 0:45:37Really holding the stage. She's got a lot of presence.
0:45:37 > 0:45:39I really enjoyed in particular, her second piece,
0:45:39 > 0:45:43because it showed how lyrical and expressive percussion can be.
0:45:43 > 0:45:46Next, Molly will perform a multi-percussion piece,
0:45:46 > 0:45:50The Love of l'Histoire, by Charles DeLancey.
0:47:58 > 0:48:00APPLAUSE
0:48:00 > 0:48:03Molly, dancing her way barefoot around the instruments
0:48:03 > 0:48:06in that multi-percussion piece.
0:48:06 > 0:48:09To end her repertoire, now, she returns to the marimba.
0:48:10 > 0:48:12The final piece I'm playing tonight
0:48:12 > 0:48:14is Dream of the Cherry Blossoms.
0:48:14 > 0:48:17It's the one that shows off all of the different runs on the marimba
0:48:17 > 0:48:21and there's so much you can do with it.
0:48:21 > 0:48:22It's quite a loud and impressive piece.
0:50:02 > 0:50:05CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:50:05 > 0:50:09Molly is getting a very enthusiastic reaction there from the audience.
0:50:09 > 0:50:13Such a graceful player. Very warm presence on stage.
0:50:14 > 0:50:18Her teacher and friends look happy. As does Molly herself.
0:50:18 > 0:50:20Let's hear what the judges have to say.
0:50:21 > 0:50:24It was lovely to see the softer side of the marimba
0:50:24 > 0:50:26explored in Molly's programme.
0:50:26 > 0:50:28I also really enjoyed her performance
0:50:28 > 0:50:29of Love of the l'Histoire.
0:50:29 > 0:50:33A fun character to watch, and she really thought about the performance side of things.
0:50:33 > 0:50:35- How does it feel? - I really enjoyed it, actually.
0:50:35 > 0:50:39I enjoyed it more than I thought I would. I didn't get too nervous.
0:50:39 > 0:50:42And the pieces were OK. So, yes, I'm happy.
0:50:42 > 0:50:44I thought she played absolutely beautifully.
0:50:44 > 0:50:47I thought she looked absolutely stunning up there.
0:50:47 > 0:50:50And the emotion that poured out of her was absolutely beautiful.
0:50:53 > 0:50:57Following Molly, it's another of those Rayner brothers - Peter,
0:50:57 > 0:51:00the youngest competitor in this final.
0:51:10 > 0:51:14In the noisy, musical Rayner household, 15-year-old Peter
0:51:14 > 0:51:16likes to escape to the studio at the bottom of the garden.
0:51:18 > 0:51:22I usually practise about three hours a day.
0:51:22 > 0:51:24Percussion being a physical instrument,
0:51:24 > 0:51:27you can get blisters, especially for this competition.
0:51:27 > 0:51:32I've just had to put plasters on and get over it, really.
0:51:35 > 0:51:38I like to practise as if I am the worst percussionist,
0:51:38 > 0:51:40so I can practise even more.
0:51:44 > 0:51:48Peter is very focused on whatever he does, so if he decides
0:51:48 > 0:51:53to learn a new piece, he will put a lot of time in and he will learn it.
0:52:03 > 0:52:04Peter attends the local comprehensive.
0:52:04 > 0:52:08As it doesn't specialise in music, the head teacher has tailored
0:52:08 > 0:52:12Peter's timetable, enabling him to fit in some extra practice.
0:52:14 > 0:52:16We have a lot of youngsters who take music,
0:52:16 > 0:52:18but Peter clearly needs to practise more than most.
0:52:18 > 0:52:21He has his own practice room that he works in, with his own drum kit.
0:52:21 > 0:52:25He's incredibly driven, and very keen to work hard and succeed.
0:52:25 > 0:52:28We're really proud and pleased for him.
0:52:31 > 0:52:33A month before this category final,
0:52:33 > 0:52:35Peter and his mum are in London for a rehearsal
0:52:35 > 0:52:37with the Docklands Sinfonia Orchestra,
0:52:37 > 0:52:40who Peter has been playing with almost a year.
0:52:41 > 0:52:44With so much kit to get organised,
0:52:44 > 0:52:48there's plenty to do before the orchestra rehearsal begins.
0:52:48 > 0:52:52But Mum is always ready to give Peter a helping hand.
0:52:54 > 0:52:57I'm the youngest in the orchestra, which adds pressure,
0:52:57 > 0:52:59but I do enjoy it.
0:52:59 > 0:53:02It's just a great opportunity to be playing with them, really.
0:53:06 > 0:53:10Peter is four or five years younger than the youngest person
0:53:10 > 0:53:13in the orchestra, and he's playing beautifully.
0:53:13 > 0:53:16His confidence has grown. And actually, he's now two concerts in
0:53:16 > 0:53:20and he's really earned the respect of the orchestra.
0:53:28 > 0:53:32Two days later, Peter's in London again. This time,
0:53:32 > 0:53:34he's back for lessons at Junior Guildhall,
0:53:34 > 0:53:37along with brother Richard and sister Rebecca.
0:53:39 > 0:53:41Peter has a full day of music-making ahead of him,
0:53:41 > 0:53:44including a percussion lesson with Rob Farrer.
0:53:46 > 0:53:48Peter is quite a reserved performer.
0:53:48 > 0:53:51Sometimes I really have to get out of him
0:53:51 > 0:53:54the sort of ups and downs of the music.
0:53:54 > 0:53:56Diddle-ah, diddle-ah, dah, dah, dah, dah.
0:53:56 > 0:53:58A bit more rock about it.
0:53:58 > 0:54:01'For his age, you know, he's got a fantastic technique'.
0:54:03 > 0:54:05He's quite a serious-minded performer, and I think that
0:54:05 > 0:54:08will possibly come across in his performance on the day.
0:54:11 > 0:54:13During his day at Junior Guildhall,
0:54:13 > 0:54:16Peter quite enjoys playing alongside Richard.
0:54:16 > 0:54:19But when it comes to the BBC Young Musician Percussion Final,
0:54:19 > 0:54:21the question is,
0:54:21 > 0:54:23will it be brotherly love or rivalry between them?
0:54:25 > 0:54:28On the day, I will be watching Richard,
0:54:28 > 0:54:31because he's my brother, to see how well he's doing.
0:54:31 > 0:54:33And to see where his mistakes are,
0:54:33 > 0:54:37so I can improve where his mistakes are! THEY LAUGH
0:54:37 > 0:54:40So, I could have a better chance of winning, hopefully.
0:54:48 > 0:54:51Peter Rayner, ready to prove he's got what it takes.
0:54:51 > 0:54:55And for the time being at least, it looks like brotherly love prevails.
0:54:55 > 0:54:59The first piece I'm playing is Prism, by Keiko Abe.
0:54:59 > 0:55:05It's very fast and hopefully I will hit all the right notes.
0:57:32 > 0:57:35APPLAUSE
0:57:35 > 0:57:40Peter, getting his recital off to a confident start on the marimba.
0:57:40 > 0:57:43My second piece is Cold Pressed, by David Hollinden
0:57:43 > 0:57:45for multi-percussion.
0:57:45 > 0:57:49With this piece, I have to make sure the setup is 100%
0:57:49 > 0:57:50where I want it, because recently,
0:57:50 > 0:57:53I've played it and had it all the wrong way round.
1:01:24 > 1:01:25APPLAUSE
1:01:25 > 1:01:27Well, one of Peter's instruments
1:01:27 > 1:01:31rather dramatically broke there, but he doesn't look too fazed.
1:01:31 > 1:01:34He's a very different personality to his brother, Richard,
1:01:34 > 1:01:37but he's got a strong sense of his own musical identity,
1:01:37 > 1:01:39and he's doing a fantastic job.
1:01:39 > 1:01:43Peter now returns to the marimba to play Michi,
1:01:43 > 1:01:46the second of his two pieces by Keiko Abe.
1:03:28 > 1:03:33APPLAUSE
1:03:35 > 1:03:37Well, a great response to Peter's performance there.
1:03:37 > 1:03:40Our youngest competitor in the percussion final,
1:03:40 > 1:03:43and the whole family look very pleased and proud.
1:03:43 > 1:03:46Let's hear what the judges thought.
1:03:48 > 1:03:51I thought Peter's performance was really musical.
1:03:51 > 1:03:54There were some lovely moments in it. Especially in his Cold Pressed.
1:03:54 > 1:03:56I thought that went very, very well.
1:03:56 > 1:04:01- Your Chinese temple block broke - what happened?- I don't really know!
1:04:01 > 1:04:03- It just fell off. - Did it throw you, do you think?
1:04:03 > 1:04:05Or were you quite cool about it?
1:04:05 > 1:04:09No, it definitely threw me, but I'm sure it's understandable.
1:04:09 > 1:04:12- I guess it's all part of the thrill of the live performance, really. - Yeah.
1:04:12 > 1:04:15I loved his choir playing on the marimba.
1:04:15 > 1:04:18I thought it was really very, very evocative,
1:04:18 > 1:04:20and really well-controlled.
1:04:23 > 1:04:27What a completely thrilling category this is turning out to be.
1:04:27 > 1:04:30Time now for our final percussionist, Hyun-gi Lee.
1:04:44 > 1:04:49Born in South Korea, 16-year-old Hyun-gi Lee now lives in the UK.
1:04:49 > 1:04:52And since being here, she's adopted another name.
1:04:52 > 1:04:56I'm known as Gina here, because that's easier.
1:04:59 > 1:05:02Gina has attended the Purcell School of Music
1:05:02 > 1:05:05since she moved to the UK when she was 12 years old.
1:05:06 > 1:05:10I practise about six hours a day.
1:05:10 > 1:05:14And it's not that hard, cos this is what I want to do.
1:05:16 > 1:05:19Gina is an interesting girl.
1:05:19 > 1:05:23She's quietly very, very confident, and she's probably one of the
1:05:23 > 1:05:27most sensitive marimba players that I've ever come across.
1:05:30 > 1:05:32I just love this instrument so much.
1:05:32 > 1:05:38It goes into your heart. It's just so pretty, I can't, like, let it go.
1:05:38 > 1:05:41# Magnificat
1:05:41 > 1:05:43# Magnificat... #
1:05:43 > 1:05:47Between her practice and GCSE studies, Gina also enjoys
1:05:47 > 1:05:51taking part in a whole range of musical activities at the school.
1:05:53 > 1:05:57Gina's made an amazing impact in a very short time at Purcell School.
1:05:57 > 1:05:59She very quickly made herself at home.
1:05:59 > 1:06:03One concerto opportunity within about a week.
1:06:03 > 1:06:06And she totally took us by storm.
1:06:08 > 1:06:11Within two years of Gina and her family moving to the UK,
1:06:11 > 1:06:15her parents had to return to Seoul.
1:06:15 > 1:06:19Gina, however, wanted to stay on at Purcell School,
1:06:19 > 1:06:20and continue her musical studies.
1:06:20 > 1:06:24It was quite a hard choice to stay here on my own
1:06:24 > 1:06:27without my family around. Yeah.
1:06:31 > 1:06:35Holidays mean a chance to return home to Seoul.
1:06:35 > 1:06:38Gina likes to make the most of this precious time,
1:06:38 > 1:06:41having fun with her family and friends.
1:06:41 > 1:06:44THEY SING
1:06:48 > 1:06:54My mum is a piano teacher, so I started music since I was born.
1:06:58 > 1:07:02When I go to Korea, there are little nieces of mine.
1:07:02 > 1:07:07They like me so much, and they always miss me, they always ask,
1:07:07 > 1:07:09"Mum, when's Gina coming?
1:07:12 > 1:07:17It's quite difficult to be far away from Seoul, but I need to work hard
1:07:17 > 1:07:23and just go to Korea every holidays and have fun, and come back again.
1:07:26 > 1:07:29Back in the UK, Gina's attending the junior department
1:07:29 > 1:07:32at the Royal College of Music for a percussion lesson
1:07:32 > 1:07:34with teacher Cameron Sinclair.
1:07:36 > 1:07:38I think Gina is the consummate musician.
1:07:38 > 1:07:42In many ways, she's got it all. She's got a fantastic technique.
1:07:42 > 1:07:45She plays things with such clarity, and a great feel.
1:07:45 > 1:07:49But the most important thing about her is her musicality.
1:07:49 > 1:07:52She plays with incredible love and care, and that was very clear
1:07:52 > 1:07:55when she came to the RCM for her audition as a 13-year-old.
1:07:55 > 1:07:58It was obvious that she was really playing from the heart.
1:08:01 > 1:08:04She does get nervous, but I know that she's going to be able
1:08:04 > 1:08:07to keep a lid on it and give a really good performance.
1:08:07 > 1:08:09- Ah, ah!- OK. - THEY LAUGH
1:08:09 > 1:08:11I think I'll be nervous,
1:08:11 > 1:08:18but I'm just going to enjoy myself there and play it with my heart.
1:08:18 > 1:08:20I hope it's going to be OK.
1:08:25 > 1:08:28Standing by to go on. OK. Stand by.
1:08:28 > 1:08:30'Unfortunately, my parents can't come,
1:08:30 > 1:08:33'because they're in Korea right now.'
1:08:33 > 1:08:39- Going on.- 'But my teachers are going to be here supporting me, hopefully'.
1:08:39 > 1:08:40APPLAUSE
1:08:40 > 1:08:45My parents said they will always be supporting me in their hearts.
1:08:47 > 1:08:50To begin, Hyun-Gi will perform Marimba Spiritual,
1:08:50 > 1:08:52the same piece that James Larter played earlier.
1:09:00 > 1:09:01Yo!
1:10:30 > 1:10:32Yo!
1:10:42 > 1:10:47'I chose this piece, because it can show my technical skills'.
1:10:47 > 1:10:51As well as some drumming skills, because I'm going to move into drum
1:10:51 > 1:10:56in the middle bit, and do some Japanese kind of drumming.
1:11:17 > 1:11:20Hah!
1:11:20 > 1:11:23THEY SHOUT
1:11:31 > 1:11:32Yo!
1:12:31 > 1:12:33CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
1:12:34 > 1:12:36What a way to start.
1:12:36 > 1:12:39Hyun-gi immediately showing that she is a force to reckoned with
1:12:39 > 1:12:41in this percussion final.
1:12:43 > 1:12:49The second piece I'm going to play is Garage Drummer, by James Campbell.
1:12:49 > 1:12:51It's accompanied by a CD track.
1:12:51 > 1:12:54It involves some guitar in the accompaniment as well,
1:12:54 > 1:12:56so it's quite funky.
1:12:56 > 1:13:00But it's very percussionic in a way.
1:15:37 > 1:15:39CYMBALS CONTINUE TO RING
1:15:45 > 1:15:47SHE DAMPENS THE SOUND
1:15:57 > 1:15:59SOUND FINALLY DIES AWAY
1:16:00 > 1:16:01APPLAUSE
1:16:05 > 1:16:07CHEERING
1:16:07 > 1:16:09Well, Hyun-gi's schoolteacher looks thrilled
1:16:09 > 1:16:11with the way she's performing tonight.
1:16:15 > 1:16:18The third place I'm going to play is called Caritas.
1:16:18 > 1:16:23I'm playing the third movement, which is Majestic, by Michael Burritt.
1:16:23 > 1:16:27It is very musical. I love this piece so much.
1:16:27 > 1:16:30I think it's my favourite piece out of all.
1:19:14 > 1:19:16APPLAUSE
1:19:19 > 1:19:21Wow! I never thought a marimba player
1:19:21 > 1:19:23was going to bring a tear to my eye.
1:19:23 > 1:19:24In the best possible way,
1:19:24 > 1:19:28but normally it's just about the fireworks and the virtuosity.
1:19:28 > 1:19:29That was so moving.
1:19:29 > 1:19:32I think she is just playing astoundingly.
1:19:32 > 1:19:34For me, she is now the one to beat.
1:19:37 > 1:19:40Hyun-gi also played her own arrangement
1:19:40 > 1:19:44of a Chopin etude on the marimba, in a fantastic conclusion to this percussion final.
1:19:47 > 1:19:52Well, she looks cool as a cucumber. What do the judges think?
1:19:53 > 1:19:55Superb tone quality
1:19:55 > 1:19:57and different sounds coming from the instrument,
1:19:57 > 1:19:59and I loved her multi-percussion piece.
1:19:59 > 1:20:03Seamless movement between instruments and complete control.
1:20:03 > 1:20:04Very impressive.
1:20:04 > 1:20:06Really massive dynamic range, and by that
1:20:06 > 1:20:10I don't just mean the extremes, but all the grades in between.
1:20:10 > 1:20:12Hyun-gi, that was absolutely mesmerising.
1:20:12 > 1:20:15Completely spellbinding. How do you feel?
1:20:15 > 1:20:20I am quite pleased with my performance. I'm exhausted now.
1:20:20 > 1:20:21I bet you are!
1:20:23 > 1:20:25It was completely heartfelt.
1:20:25 > 1:20:29You could see her, in a way, floating above the stage somewhere.
1:20:29 > 1:20:32It was almost like she had an out-of-body musical experience.
1:20:32 > 1:20:35It was just incredibly exciting music making.
1:20:38 > 1:20:42Well, that's it. What an absolutely thrilling and dramatic way
1:20:42 > 1:20:46to end this year's BBC Young Musician category finals.
1:20:46 > 1:20:48Our five percussionists really gave it their all.
1:20:48 > 1:20:51I can only imagine how nervous they are feeling backstage
1:20:51 > 1:20:54because only one of them is going through to the semi-final.
1:20:57 > 1:20:59And, making the decisions -
1:20:59 > 1:21:02former BBC Young Musician winner, percussionist Adrian Spillett.
1:21:02 > 1:21:07Acclaimed performer and educator Andrea Vogler.
1:21:07 > 1:21:11And Gareth Jones, founder and director of Sinfonia Cymru.
1:21:15 > 1:21:18So, a wonderful final tonight, really such a high standard.
1:21:22 > 1:21:23First up was James.
1:21:25 > 1:21:28The Marimba Spiritual I thought was a real tour de force.
1:21:33 > 1:21:36Did a bit of ad lib improvisation and changed the drumming section.
1:21:37 > 1:21:41Actually, I found it quite inventive. I wasn't upset by it at all.
1:21:41 > 1:21:44For me, personally, I would have liked to hear
1:21:44 > 1:21:47- just a little bit more of the softer range of the instrument.- OK.
1:21:47 > 1:21:49Good communicator with the audience?
1:21:49 > 1:21:51Yes, and a very, very energetic performer.
1:21:51 > 1:21:55You can tell he meant every single note that he played.
1:21:58 > 1:22:02And secondly, we heard Richard.
1:22:02 > 1:22:06Very flamboyant - it seems quite natural for him to be on the stage.
1:22:06 > 1:22:09A big dynamic range. One of the only ones to really fill the hall
1:22:09 > 1:22:10with a massive sound.
1:22:12 > 1:22:16I liked his programming, I felt that gave a really lovely contrast.
1:22:16 > 1:22:20And the seamless link into his last piece where he was joined by two friends to make music.
1:22:20 > 1:22:25It had a lovely informality to it and you really got the sense of colleagues enjoying making music.
1:22:25 > 1:22:26Definitely.
1:22:31 > 1:22:35We then had Molly, who gave us quite a lot of marimba in her programme.
1:22:37 > 1:22:40The final piece, the Cherry Blossom, seems a tough ask.
1:22:40 > 1:22:42It is, it's a tough piece, certainly the dynamics.
1:22:42 > 1:22:46You really had to draw your ear in to hear those really quiet sounds.
1:22:46 > 1:22:48But I like the fact she took the risk.
1:22:48 > 1:22:51Yes, it was lovely to hear the softer side of the marimba,
1:22:51 > 1:22:56because that is often neglected these days in terms of... more for the hard-hitting playing.
1:23:00 > 1:23:01Peter followed.
1:23:01 > 1:23:03I loved the Hollinden piece.
1:23:03 > 1:23:06I thought that was really very successful.
1:23:07 > 1:23:11I know that piece very well and he really played every note as it should be.
1:23:11 > 1:23:15He was the only percussionist to play some really quiet playing
1:23:15 > 1:23:18which wasn't on a marimba or vibraphone, which is nice to hear.
1:23:20 > 1:23:23Prism was a piece that I know very well.
1:23:23 > 1:23:26For me there could have been just a little bit more room for breath.
1:23:26 > 1:23:30Having said that, he made up for that in Michi. I really liked his phrasing.
1:23:30 > 1:23:32I thought that was much more mature playing.
1:23:37 > 1:23:38The final competitor was Hyun-gi Lee.
1:23:38 > 1:23:41The balance of her programme, I thought, was terrific.
1:23:43 > 1:23:47Really engaging. I was drawn in by everything she played.
1:23:47 > 1:23:50And all the subtle stick changes she had, from sticks to bows.
1:23:52 > 1:23:55I just was always with her, every time she was doing something.
1:23:55 > 1:23:56I thought it was terrific.
1:23:59 > 1:24:02I loved her dynamic range on the marimba.
1:24:02 > 1:24:04And the tone quality from the instrument,
1:24:04 > 1:24:07she just had exactly the right stick for the Burritt.
1:24:12 > 1:24:15So we have a decision to make. We'd better crack on with it.
1:24:21 > 1:24:23As the jury continue their deliberations,
1:24:23 > 1:24:27what did the audience make of tonight's percussion category final?
1:24:27 > 1:24:30What a fantastic advert for percussion playing
1:24:30 > 1:24:32and for percussionists, and for young people.
1:24:32 > 1:24:34It's just a brilliant occasion.
1:24:34 > 1:24:36Oh, God, I was blown away.
1:24:36 > 1:24:40The talent and just the whole musicality of the evening
1:24:40 > 1:24:41I thought was great.
1:24:41 > 1:24:44The standard was absolutely fantastic.
1:24:44 > 1:24:48Very humbling, actually. Of music making, not just of percussion playing.
1:24:48 > 1:24:51Really talented, they all deserve to win.
1:24:51 > 1:24:53It's a shame there's only one winner.
1:24:53 > 1:24:55I really wouldn't like to be the judges.
1:24:55 > 1:24:59I think they've got a really difficult decision now to make.
1:25:08 > 1:25:13Well, the judges have made their decision and the wait is almost over.
1:25:14 > 1:25:18Our five fantastic finalists are waiting backstage to hear the verdict
1:25:18 > 1:25:21from jury member and former BBC Young Musician Adrian Spillett.
1:25:22 > 1:25:24Wow, what a day, what an evening!
1:25:24 > 1:25:26Some really gutsy performances tonight
1:25:26 > 1:25:30and it's been lovely to hear some really interesting new pieces.
1:25:30 > 1:25:31I won't waste any more time.
1:25:31 > 1:25:35The winner of the BBC Young Musician 2012 Percussion Category Final...
1:25:37 > 1:25:38is Hyun-gi Lee.
1:25:41 > 1:25:42APPLAUSE
1:25:42 > 1:25:46Hyun-gi Lee, known to her friends as Gina,
1:25:46 > 1:25:51triumphs in what has been a truly sensational percussion final.
1:25:53 > 1:25:56Judging by the reaction of the audience in the hall,
1:25:56 > 1:25:59she is a hugely popular winner too.
1:26:13 > 1:26:15Hyun-gi's technique was just so smooth
1:26:15 > 1:26:19and so fluid that it drew you in to what she was playing.
1:26:19 > 1:26:20There's a grace, there's a fluidity,
1:26:20 > 1:26:23she just almost dances around the stage.
1:26:23 > 1:26:26She created an atmosphere which just stood out from the rest
1:26:26 > 1:26:28that little bit more.
1:26:28 > 1:26:31Gina, huge congratulations. How are you feeling right now?
1:26:31 > 1:26:35I'm so thrilled, I'm happy, I can't explain.
1:26:35 > 1:26:39You don't have to find the words. Your percussion just says it all.
1:26:39 > 1:26:43Your mum's in Korea. What do you think she's going to say when you tell her the news?
1:26:43 > 1:26:48She'll be very happy and then she'll be, like, next one, semi-final.
1:26:48 > 1:26:50Go and enjoy this moment - go and ring your mum!
1:26:52 > 1:26:54I am absolutely bowled over.
1:26:56 > 1:26:58'That, tonight, came absolutely from the heart.'
1:26:58 > 1:27:00She had a wow factor.
1:27:00 > 1:27:02Give us five! Whoa!
1:27:02 > 1:27:05If you see a marimba, you'd want to play it like Gina.
1:27:05 > 1:27:07I would!
1:27:09 > 1:27:11SHE SPEAKS IN KOREAN
1:27:19 > 1:27:21She's crying.
1:27:31 > 1:27:33What an extraordinary night.
1:27:33 > 1:27:36Huge congratulations to Hyun-gi Lee,
1:27:36 > 1:27:40winner of the BBC Young Musician 2012 Percussion category.
1:27:40 > 1:27:42So, we now have all five semi-finalists
1:27:42 > 1:27:44and it is quite a formidable line-up.
1:27:46 > 1:27:47This round is different
1:27:47 > 1:27:50because they're competing against other instruments.
1:27:53 > 1:27:56It will get the adrenaline going.
1:27:56 > 1:27:59I think it will open people's eyes and change views about the recorder.
1:27:59 > 1:28:01I was completely blown away.
1:28:01 > 1:28:05I'm hoping to play a concerto, fingers crossed.
1:28:06 > 1:28:10- She wasn't afraid to really go for it.- It's just overwhelming.
1:28:10 > 1:28:12This girl makes such a wonderful sound.
1:28:12 > 1:28:14I'm quite determined.
1:28:14 > 1:28:16I'll be overjoyed if I manage to make it to the next round.
1:28:16 > 1:28:18Impressed us all.
1:28:18 > 1:28:20Really get into the music, try and be at one with it.
1:28:20 > 1:28:23It was a difficult one for the judges.
1:28:23 > 1:28:25The three semi-finalists going through
1:28:25 > 1:28:27to the BBC Young Musician 2012 final are...
1:28:32 > 1:28:35So, join me over on BBC Two tomorrow night
1:28:35 > 1:28:38for the semi-final of BBC Young Musician 2012.
1:28:38 > 1:28:42At stake, just three places in Sunday's final.
1:28:42 > 1:28:45It promises to be nail-biting to the end.
1:29:03 > 1:29:05Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd