The Final BBC Young Musician

The search for BBC's young musician, 2012 started a year ago.

More than 450 of Britain's most talented young performers entered.

After two strongly contested audition rounds, 25 were selected

for the category finals in Cardiff. We've heard some outstanding

playing from some extraordinary young people.

Now, just three remain. This competition is like the who's

who of classical musicians in the UK. It helps you understand what

performance is. It will be an unforgettable experience for them.

I remember watching it thinking "wouldn't it be great to do that!"

It is a great start to your professional career.

It really does open doors for people.

My life has been changed. I wouldn't be here right now if I

Today, we're at The Sage gates med, where after 1 months of --

Gateshead, where after 12 months of searching one young finalist will

A very warm welcome to The Sage Gateshead for the Final of BBC

Young Musician 2012. The hall is packed. There's a sense of

anticipation in the air. Now, at the start of our coverage

four weeks ago, I said we were looking for that something extra

special. In today's final I think we have three young performers who

more than live up to that billing. Each has proved their technical

ability, but it's their musicianship, as much as anything,

that has earned them a place in this final. Today they'll perform

concertos by Vivaldi, Grieg and Walton, with the Northern Sinfonia,

under acclaimed maestro Kirill Karabits and we have a bit of BBC

Young Musician history too. For the first time ever, a recorder player

has made it through to the final. She takes her place alongside a

pianist and a cellist. Let's meet our three finalists.

Recorder player Charlotte Barbour- Condini, from London.

BBC Young Musician has given me the opportunity to up my game and all

aspects of my performance. Manchester-based pianist Yuanfan

Yang. Snie -- I want to play my heart out. From East Sussex cellist

Laura Van De Heijden. Winning would be amazing.

Three very special young people. Amazingly not one of them is older

than 16. In just under two hours one will be named BBC Young

Musician 2012 and their life will change forever. For now though they

are waiting nervously back stage, where keeping an eye on things for

us is Josie D'Arby. Josie, who is the atmosphere like back there?

well I don't know who is more nervous right now, the finalists or

me! This is such a big occasion for all three of them. Winning BBC

Young Musician will change the winner's life. They are all aware

of that. However, amazingly, they are managing to stay very calm and

very focused. Judging by this afternoon's rehearsal, I can tell

you we're in for a treat and a tightly-fought contest. We are.

Thanks. The person who has been leading those rehearsals is our

conductor Kirill Karabits. They all expect the conductor to be a very

serious man, who is telling them their mistakes in a way a teacher.

It is about experience. It's about life. I'm trying to be very relaxed.

Do you treat them like young soloists or young musicians? Like

soloists, as if we were doing a concert performance it would be

unforgetable for them, which would make them love music even more.

They would say, yes, that is what we wanted. It's this kind of

excitement and fun and joy. That is what I like them to feel.

Now, who ever wins today's final will join an impressive list of

former winners that includes pianist Freddie Kempf, violinist

nNicola Benedetti, clarinettist Emma Johnson and cellist Natalie

Clein, to name just a few. Two years ago it was Lara Melda who

gave that triumphant performance to become the 17th BBC Young Musician.

I am delighted to say that she will perform for us later. Hoping to

follow in her footsteps this year's finalists have to convince five

very important people that they should be named the next Young

Musician. Let's meet them. They are Piers

Adams. It is the ability to transport the audience to a range

of different emotions. Charlotte Bra y.

We are looking for someone who engage with the audience. Emma

Johnson, winner of BBC Young Musician. Jessica Cottis. I am

looking for a performance which has imagination and intelligence, but

also true love for the music that they are playing. Acclaimed concert

pianist Paul Lewis. If they can stay focused on the music and what

they are doing and getting that across, that's the most important

The jury have taken their seats. Before we get things rolling, I

want to introduce you to my two specialists. Eric Whitacre is one

of the most ground-breaking composers. He is currently

composing at Sydney Sussex College, Cambridge. Also he is a

distinguished conductor. He picked up a Grammy for his album Light and

Gold. The classical guitar sensation that is Milos. I know you

were recently named Young Artist of Year at the Gramophone Awards. I

know you two are passionate supporters of young musicians and

incredibly committed to engaging as wide an audience as possible with

classical music. Why is this so important? In terms of young

musicians, study after study shows that young people who work in music,

they do better in school. They are better adjusted socially. They make

for a more empa fattic society. These are the future of our art

form. You have lived in the UK since you arrived here at 16. You

used to watch this competition. What are you most excited about?

am excited to see how they have grown and how they have upped their

game. What I am most excited about tonight is so see them have the

time of their life and to have fun. To be given this opportunity so

early on, it gives them a taste of what it means to have an

international career. Hopefully we will all have the time of our lives

here as well. Thank you for joining us. We look forward to hearing more

later on. Here we go. First on in this BBC Young Musician final is

Charlotte Barbour-Condini. As well as making history as the first

recorder player to make the final, she is making her first public

performance with an orchestra. She is also celebrating her 16th

birthday today. I caught up with her a few weeks ago to see how her

preparations are coming on. The winner is... Charlotte Barbour-

Condini. Charlotte, you looked pretty

shocked when they read out your name as the winner of the woodwind

category. Was it a big shock? was quite a big shock. I hear you

didn't book an accompanist for the semi-final? Yes, that was silly.

Making it through may have been a surprise, but a polished semi-final

performance earnt her a place in the final. Preparations have added

to a busy schedule. It comes in the middle of your GCSEs is that

right?Vy A maths on the 11th. Straight after I have music in the

morning. Then I have French. It's going to be interesting. Helping

Charlotte make the grade in BBC Young Musician is her recorder

teacher Barbra Law. Tell us about the piece you have decided to play?

We decided Vivaldi. It has avy bransy and the C minute near brings

it out. It is the most challenging. She is very capable of it. That is

fine. It is the most interesting of his concertos.

Charlotte has never played the recorder with an orchestra before.

She has a run-through two weeks before. It is a great opportunity

to have the opportunity. It is really different. We have taken it

down to the orchestra that Vivaldi might have had himself. Much less

strings. We have experimented with ob bows and a bas son -- basson on

the bass line. Final rehearsals with the conductor produce some

concerns. I am questioning the balance. It is about the balance of

the instrument. We were thinking to use a little orchestra. When I

heard this I said, sorry we cannot do that. We have one player for

each instrument. Before we were worried that I

couldn't be heard. Now I think the problem is sorted. Well, what a way

to spend your 16th birthday. Charlotte, looking pretty calm

backstage. She is very shy, but you underestimate her at your peril.

Here she is, Charlotte Barbour- Condini to perform in C minute near

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 920 seconds

Charlotte Barbour-Condini, from London. 16 years old today and

celebrating in style. She is getting a very small and reaction.

Her grand father is Italian and has travelled all the way to see her

play that Italian concerto of today. Concerto in C Minor for Recorder by

Antonio Vivaldi. He will be delighted with her performance.

Well, what a way to begin this final of BBC Young Musician 2012.

Charlotte Barbour-Condini, the first of our three finalists, and

the first ever recorder player to perform in the Final of this

competition in its 34 year history. Well, I don't know how you guys

celebrated your 16th birthday! was an idiot when I was 16! It is

astonishing. It is one of those deceptively difficult instruments.

She never takes it down, she is playing for the entire time, it is

extraordinary. I could not take my eyes of her, she was extraordinary.

I am the guitarist myself so I know how it feels to be out there as a

recorder player, and keep them on their toes. She was incredible and

I love the piece. I think the balance worked well. There were

questions about the size of the ensemble but I think it worked well.

It is hard to go up against a grand piano but she did the recorder

proud. In some ways it is more difficult because you're so exposed.

Every single note counts, there is nowhere to hide. Now, Charlotte was

left speechless after winning her Category Final back in March. Let's

see if she has anything to say after her performance in this

final! She's with Josie backstage. How do you feel that went? I really

enjoyed it. The first time performing in public with an

orchestra. How was it? It was really great. I suspect this is one

birthday you will not forget! Making history and having a

birthday all in the one day. If Next to play is pianist Yuanfan

Yang. He is something of a veteran of this competition, having reached

the category finals two years ago when he was just 13, losing out to

the eventual winner Lara Melda. Now at the grand old age of 15, Yuanfan

is back. He's in the final. Born in Edinburgh he is a full-time student

at Chetham's School of Music in Manchester.

Chetham's is home to 300 young Yuanfan was awarded the The Walter

Tos Bursary - a prize for competitors who shou great promise.

Through to this year's final, he has been working on his concerto.

Tell us about the piece? It is the Grieg piano concerto. It has a

beautiful melody. It is great. How are you finding your

preparations with your teacher? teacher is fantastic. What stands

out is the creative team he manages. We bring out things that are unique

that we can do. I would never be mad enough to suggest putting the

I think he'll recreate all the amazing characterisations - there's

a lot of humour, there's a lot of playing all these notes. Nurishing

all the different aspects of the piece.

What are the big challenges in this piece for you? You have to sing the

melodies through the instrument as well. The technical bits that is

required of the pianist as well. It will be one of the biggest piecesvy

played yet. Next step is to work with the conductor, who has

valuable advice. He gave me tips like tempo-wise, colouring in the

soft sections as well. Do you mind if we do it with bassoons? They

love it when you give them time. There was a bit in the third

movement, when the orchestra was so quiet. He told me to come in loudly

to create a big shock for the audience. It was a nice tip. I

don't think I have heard anyone else do it before. It is unique.

Something - if you want, if you want - it's very funny. I was

trying to be very imaginative with him. His playing is extremely

stable. What I thought was useful for him was to be more specific

about certain colours in the concerto.

There are a few bits I need to do a bit of work on. I want to get on

and really enjoy myself and play from the heart.

Well, 15-year-old Yuanfan Yang, looking totally at ease as he waits

to take the stage in this BBC Young Musician final. Three pianists have

won this final since the competition was launched back in

1978, including of course the 2010 winner, Lara Melda. Here he is,

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 920 seconds

hoping to join their number with The Piano Concerto in A minor,

performed by 15-year-old pianist Yuanfan Yang. You are looking gob-

smacked! Incredible. Speechless. His control over the instrument,

and with an orchestra incredible. Amazingly popular with the audience.

The hall is packed to the rafters. It's a complete sell-out. The

Northern Sinfonia doing a fantastic job, conducted by Kirill Karabits

Well, Yuanfan Yang hoping very much to follow in Lara Melda's footsteps,

making an incredibly persuasive bid for the BBC Young Musician title.

Astonishing to think he's just 15. It is a huge piece. Was it the

right one for him? The way Greek has written the first part of this,

the piano opened da-da-da-dum-da- da-dum. From the first notes he was

so confident, vital. It was thrilling. We say we are looking

for something beyond the obvious. We are looking for that extra

special something. Do you think Yuanfan has got it? Absolutely. I

think he's incredible at what he does. It was in the first notes

where I thought wow! He had the authority and charisma to take the

time in those notes, which you don't see very often. We should not

talk about the fingers, the fingers are spectacular. He had the time of

his life. The jury is looking impressed.

Let's see what Yuanfan made of his performance. I believe he's back

stage with Josie. I think he had the time of his life.

He said he wanted to do it all over again. You played with your heart

this evening. I enjoyed myself so much up there. A fantastic

orchestra and conductor. audience exploded into applause.

Did you have a sense of how much they were enjoying it? I hoped they

were enjoying it when I was playing. I hope they did. They did. We will

see how much the jury enjoyed it shortly address well. We have heard

two -- As well. We have heard two of our finalists, Yuanfan Yang and

Charlotte Barbour-Condini. Completing the line-up is Laura Van

De Heijden. She is the youngest to have got into the final. She is now

15 and working towards her GCSEs. Laura goes to a school in East

grind sted. -- Grinstead.

Well, she does not normally bring her sell low into school. As the --

cello into school. As the final approaches she has brought it into

school to have a practise. Hello. I am so sorry to disturb you

because I know your practise hours are very precious. What are you

playing in the final? I am playing the William Walton concerto. It is

a fantastic piece. I know you have the Elgar - why did

you decide on the Walton? In this piece you can show everything.

Technique-wise it has so many different things in it. It is not

played very often. I think it deserves to be played. The colours

and ideas - it is an imaginative piece.

At the weekend Laura goes to the junior department of the Royal

College of Music, where she is given the chance to run through her

competition piece with their symphony orchestra. The colours

that the orchestra makes is different to that of the piano. You

need to adapt your playing to that. It is very important to play with

the orchestra. Playing with the orchestra, I think

you need to have a different type of body language. You need to do a

certain amount of leading. One person following you is a different

ball game to many people following you, so gestures and movements is

very important. Two days before the final, Laura

has a first rehearsal with Kirill Karabits.

Kirill is very helpful. He understands Walton. With that music

it's important to understand him and I think also a lot is going to

be different with an orchestra than with a piano. I am looking forward

to our first orchestra rehearsal. really understand why she waped to

play that. It suits -- wanted to play that. It suits her really well.

This piece pushes her to become different, because she enters into

the music and then it changes her. The last few months have certainly

been hectic. The whole thing has been such a learning curb and to

play in that hall is just unbelievable.

Sussex-born Laura is the last of our three finalists on BBC Young

Musician 2012. Walking on to the stage now, aged just 15. A few

weeks ago it was her birthday. She'll perform the Cello concerto

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 920 seconds

APPLAUSE A huge reaction for 15- year-old Laura Van De Heijden and

her performance of the concerto by William Walton. She is spell-

binding. Very hard to believe she's the youngest finalist we have heard

today. A wonderful job of the or Chester under Kirill Karabits. He

said it was the first time he really felt acceptance in the UK.

He seemed to be living and breathing every single moment of

that with the right amount of that orchestra. Well we promised you

this final would be rather special. We have heard three superb young

musicians. What a way to end this final. I can't speak. Eric can

hardly speak. No-one is more passionate than spreading the word

of classical music. Laura goes to a state school - she seems to be a

wonderful advertisement for what people can do with classical music

today. She has a Magnatism, which you only find with the best concert

artists. Her stage concentration is so incredible. The understanding of

the text, the taste of repertoire. You don't often hear them play the

Walton. It is such a rich piece. A monumental piece of the 20th

century. I cannot believe she has only been playing for nine years.

It does not add up in my mind. Thank you for the time being. I

will be coming back to you in a moment to hear more thoughts about

our finalists. Let's hear now from Laura. You seemed so calm and in

control. Were you? As soon as I got on the stage the music overwhelmed

me. The Walton is an amazing piece. I lived every bit of it. It is a

brave choice on your part, but I think they might just have fallen

in love with it? That was my objective. I wanted to sell the

piece because it does not get as much recognition as it deserves.

Congratulations to you. Beautifully done. Back to you Clemmie.

Thank you very much. The jury have to make a decision... Somehow! We

don't want to be in their shoes, do we!? All three are stunning

examples of what young musicians can achieve. It gives me such

optimism for the future of our art form. I certainly know who my

favourite is. I will be curious to see if the judges feel the same.

Likewise. I think they are all incredible. There is no question

about it. As a platform for young musicians this is unique - this

will launch an international career. Do you think they all have what it

could take? There'll only be one BBC Young Musician 2012. Do you

think each could have an international career? Absolutely. I

think the sky is the limit for all three of them.

It reminds us of how much talent there is and how talent does not

choose who it hits and we should encourage music in all backgrounds

and give the opportunity to everybody. I couldn't agree more.

Thank you both. While we wait tpwor the jury's decision we have a --

for the jury's decision we have a real treat in store. No-one who

watched two years ago will forget Lara Melda. She went on to win the

title. Today, she is back with us to perform again. And here to play

the ever popular second movement from rach rach's -- Rachmanov is

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 920 seconds

A very special talent. Lara Melda, the winner of BBC Young Musician

2010. And a captivating performance of the 2nd movement from

Rachmaninov's Piano Concert No. 2. Accompanied by the Northern

Sinfonia, conducted by Kirill Karabits.

Getting a very warm and enthusiastic reaction from the

audience. Now I believe we're just minutes

away from the result which is why I've come up to the stage. But

while we're waiting, I'm going to hand you over to Josie who's now

taken my place with Eric and Milos. Well, it's been quite a final,

hasn't it? I've heard it all from the wings and I think they all

deserve to win. What have been the highlights for you, Eric? I have to

say all of Laura's performance. She brought this depth to the Walton

which I did not think a young woman of 15 could bring. And Milos, who

would be your pick? The recorder is sounded like a voice. The piano

sounded like something more than human. And then at Laura San that

magnetic and special and incredible. -- sounded. I think we're moments

away from bad decision. -- a decision. I'm going to hand over to

Clemmie for the presentation. What an extraordinary concert we've

enjoyed today. And I'm sure you'll agree a fitting climax to a

wonderful competition. We've just heard three outstanding finalists,

all of whom would be a worthy winner. But sadly only one can be

named BBC Young Musician 2012. Before we find out who that is, we

have another award to announce. The Walter Todds Bursary is named after

one of the co-founders of this competition and is awarded to a

performer or performers who have shown exceptional promise, but

haven't made it to this final. I'm pleased to announce that there

are two recipients this year. They are Strings Category Finalist

Juliette Roos and Percussion Category Winner, Hyun-gi Lee.

And now the moment we've all been waiting for. The jury have made

their decision. And to announce the winner of BBC Young Musician 2012,

please welcome jury member, Charlotte Gray.

Congratulations to all three finalists for their outstanding

performances. This has been an extraordinarily difficult decision.

Three incredible musicians presenting such a diverse

repertoire. The winner of BBC Young Musician 2012 his Laura Van Der

Heijden. Huge congratulations. How are you

feeling? Amazing. I just had a really great time and I'm so lucky.

Huish congratulations. You are BBC Young Musician 2012.

I am sure it your all want to join me in giving another huge round of

applause to our other is essential finalists, Charlotte and Yuanfan

I am afraid that is it too. It has been an emotional journey.

Congratulations to Laura and all three of our fantastic finalists.

The search for the next BBC Young Musician begins early next year and