0:00:05 > 0:00:07Nearly 500 entered.
0:00:07 > 0:00:09Just five remain.
0:00:09 > 0:00:12The search for the next BBC Young Musician
0:00:12 > 0:00:14has now reached its penultimate stage.
0:00:14 > 0:00:19Tonight, our five category winners perform again,
0:00:19 > 0:00:22but this time, they are up against each other.
0:00:22 > 0:00:24Given such a talented line-up,
0:00:24 > 0:00:26and five contrasting instruments,
0:00:26 > 0:00:30it's going to be quite a night with tough decisions ahead.
0:00:30 > 0:00:34This is the semifinal of BBC Young Musician 2014.
0:00:58 > 0:00:59Tonight, we'll hear from
0:00:59 > 0:01:03five very gifted and very individual young musicians.
0:01:03 > 0:01:07We've both been so impressed by the overall level in the competition
0:01:07 > 0:01:11and all of our performers tonight are worthy category winners,
0:01:11 > 0:01:14but tonight we are searching for something special.
0:01:14 > 0:01:17Yeah, the pressure is now really on
0:01:17 > 0:01:18and, for our five semifinalists,
0:01:18 > 0:01:21the trophy is now within touching distance.
0:01:21 > 0:01:24With a new jury to impress, who will rise to the challenge
0:01:24 > 0:01:26and secure their place in the final?
0:01:28 > 0:01:30It's all to play for.
0:01:31 > 0:01:33This is a huge competition.
0:01:33 > 0:01:36These are young musicians who've really dedicated their lives
0:01:36 > 0:01:40to being the best musicians they possibly can be.
0:01:40 > 0:01:44Winning a category already is a huge achievement.
0:01:44 > 0:01:47The pressure has been ranked up another gear
0:01:47 > 0:01:48by getting through to the next round.
0:01:48 > 0:01:49To set themselves apart,
0:01:49 > 0:01:52they've got to give the performance of their lives.
0:01:52 > 0:01:54The challenge is going to be huge for all of them.
0:01:54 > 0:01:55They've shone already
0:01:55 > 0:01:58and I'm looking forward to seeing them shine even more.
0:01:58 > 0:02:02This competition could be a real launch pad for future careers.
0:02:02 > 0:02:03The people who've won it
0:02:03 > 0:02:07have gone on to become the musical leaders of today.
0:02:07 > 0:02:09ANNOUNCER: Nicola Benedetti!
0:02:09 > 0:02:12It was the biggest musical experience of my life.
0:02:12 > 0:02:14ANNOUNCER: Laura van der Heijden.
0:02:14 > 0:02:16It's been the most amazing start
0:02:16 > 0:02:18to what I hope will be a long career in music.
0:02:24 > 0:02:26Tonight, our five semifinalists
0:02:26 > 0:02:30repeat their category final programme in front of a new panel of judges.
0:02:32 > 0:02:35With only three places available in tomorrow night's final,
0:02:35 > 0:02:37the stakes are high.
0:02:43 > 0:02:47From Lancashire, 15-year-old Elliott Gaston-Ross.
0:02:49 > 0:02:53He gave an energetic and captivating performance
0:02:53 > 0:02:55to win the percussion final.
0:02:58 > 0:03:00He is a really fantastic performer.
0:03:00 > 0:03:05So honest and so true and totally 100% believing in what he's doing.
0:03:07 > 0:03:11I just went out there and was myself and enjoyed it.
0:03:11 > 0:03:15I've been practising on average about four hours every day
0:03:15 > 0:03:19and I was just really, really pleased that it paid off.
0:03:19 > 0:03:23And when the winner was announced at the category finals,
0:03:23 > 0:03:27I have to say, I think your face was the best of all the reactions,
0:03:27 > 0:03:30of all the winners. You looked completely shocked.
0:03:30 > 0:03:33'Elliott Gaston-Ross.'
0:03:34 > 0:03:37I just didn't expect to hear my name being called
0:03:37 > 0:03:41and, when it did, it came as a little bit of a shock.
0:03:41 > 0:03:45So, how's it going to feel to perform in tonight's semifinal?
0:03:45 > 0:03:47Oh, I'm absolutely ecstatic
0:03:47 > 0:03:49and I'm really, really excited
0:03:49 > 0:03:52to see if I can give a better performance
0:03:52 > 0:03:55and lift it, lift the performance up a notch.
0:03:58 > 0:04:0018-year-old trumpet player Matilda Lloyd
0:04:00 > 0:04:04gave a technically assured performance to win the brass final.
0:04:09 > 0:04:12She played with a lot of flair
0:04:12 > 0:04:14and her sound, within the first few notes that she played,
0:04:14 > 0:04:16really grabbed me.
0:04:17 > 0:04:19Your programme was fabulous.
0:04:19 > 0:04:21How did you arrive on your repertoire choice?
0:04:21 > 0:04:25I just wanted a programme that I really enjoyed playing
0:04:25 > 0:04:29and that I knew that I could convey that enjoyment to the audience.
0:04:29 > 0:04:31I love having a live audience.
0:04:31 > 0:04:33I really thrive off it.
0:04:33 > 0:04:35I know love seeing them enjoying my playing.
0:04:39 > 0:04:43I came off stage with a massive buzz. It was fantastic.
0:04:47 > 0:04:50With a dazzling display on the piano,
0:04:50 > 0:04:5317-year-old Martin James Bartlett took the keyboard title.
0:04:58 > 0:05:01I was looking for somebody who really had something unique
0:05:01 > 0:05:03and interesting to say,
0:05:03 > 0:05:06and Martin had that in abundance.
0:05:06 > 0:05:08He's a wonderfully talented young musician.
0:05:08 > 0:05:10We were all completely blown away.
0:05:10 > 0:05:12How did you feel?
0:05:12 > 0:05:14I was very happy with how I played
0:05:14 > 0:05:16because it felt very comfortable.
0:05:16 > 0:05:18When I walked out there
0:05:18 > 0:05:21and sat down and I started playing the Bach,
0:05:21 > 0:05:22it feels like home.
0:05:22 > 0:05:24The happiest I am
0:05:24 > 0:05:26is when I'm there, playing.
0:05:29 > 0:05:32Sometimes I just go somewhere else
0:05:32 > 0:05:37and you feel it here, in your gut, rather than your mind.
0:05:37 > 0:05:38I love it so much.
0:05:42 > 0:05:4515-year-old recorder player Sophie Westbrooke
0:05:45 > 0:05:48gave a mesmerising performance to win the woodwind final.
0:05:56 > 0:05:58It was such a complete performance.
0:05:58 > 0:06:00Every hand gesture, you know,
0:06:00 > 0:06:02even when she just picked up an instrument,
0:06:02 > 0:06:04it was sort of part of the music,
0:06:04 > 0:06:06so it was just a wonderful performance altogether.
0:06:06 > 0:06:10I kind of wanted to show as much a variety as possible.
0:06:10 > 0:06:13I wanted to show off loads of different skills
0:06:13 > 0:06:15and different styles of playing.
0:06:15 > 0:06:18There are always things as a performer you're going to think,
0:06:18 > 0:06:21"I could have played that slightly better,
0:06:21 > 0:06:22"I could have put more into that."
0:06:22 > 0:06:24But I'm proud of getting here.
0:06:27 > 0:06:30And finally, 19-year-old William Dutton
0:06:30 > 0:06:34clinched the strings title with a virtuosic display on the violin.
0:06:42 > 0:06:44William is a risk-taker
0:06:44 > 0:06:46and I quite like that in a violinist.
0:06:46 > 0:06:47He came on and sort of
0:06:47 > 0:06:50with an attitude that whatever happens happens,
0:06:50 > 0:06:52and he really played his socks off.
0:06:57 > 0:07:00From the moment you played the very first note,
0:07:00 > 0:07:04we all felt as if we were in front of a well-seasoned professional.
0:07:04 > 0:07:05Do you get nervous?
0:07:05 > 0:07:08I do get nervous, especially before,
0:07:08 > 0:07:11quite a long time before, a performance, on and off.
0:07:11 > 0:07:14So, my teacher's been talking me through
0:07:14 > 0:07:16ways of getting over the nerves.
0:07:16 > 0:07:19I really wanted to play my absolute best
0:07:19 > 0:07:22and I managed to just about calm the pre-nerves
0:07:22 > 0:07:25and was able to go on stage feeling very comfortable.
0:07:27 > 0:07:28So, that's our line-up.
0:07:28 > 0:07:32I don't know about you, but I can't wait to hear them all perform again.
0:07:32 > 0:07:35Before we get started, let's take a quick look ahead to the final,
0:07:35 > 0:07:39which this year takes place at the Usher Hall in Edinburgh.
0:07:40 > 0:07:43The three competitors who make it through from tonight
0:07:43 > 0:07:46will each perform a complete concerto of their choice
0:07:46 > 0:07:49with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra,
0:07:49 > 0:07:52conducted by Kirill Karabits.
0:07:52 > 0:07:56One will be awarded the coveted title -
0:07:56 > 0:07:58BBC Young Musician 2014.
0:08:00 > 0:08:03I think it's safe to say we're in for a very special final.
0:08:03 > 0:08:06Join Clemency Burton-Hill, Milos and me
0:08:06 > 0:08:09for full coverage right here on BBC Four tomorrow evening.
0:08:09 > 0:08:12Trust me, you won't want to miss it.
0:08:15 > 0:08:17Our five semifinalists
0:08:17 > 0:08:20are making their final preparations backstage.
0:08:20 > 0:08:24With such a variety of instruments, and five distinctive personalities,
0:08:24 > 0:08:28it is going to be really hard to choose between them.
0:08:28 > 0:08:31Thankfully, it's not up to me. Let's meet the jury.
0:08:33 > 0:08:35They are...
0:08:42 > 0:08:46What I'm looking for is a mastery of their instrument,
0:08:46 > 0:08:47that they have imagination,
0:08:47 > 0:08:50that they can make a piece come to life.
0:08:57 > 0:09:01It's a clever winner who can choose the programme
0:09:01 > 0:09:03that can show off their own instrument
0:09:03 > 0:09:07and then can define that instrument amongst the others.
0:09:12 > 0:09:15I just want to be transported by what I hear.
0:09:15 > 0:09:17I don't want to think in numbers.
0:09:17 > 0:09:18I just want to sit there
0:09:18 > 0:09:22and enjoy exactly what the musicians will be bringing to us.
0:09:28 > 0:09:31They just need to let go because, by letting go,
0:09:31 > 0:09:33their performance will be even more engaging
0:09:33 > 0:09:36and they'll have an even better chance of winning.
0:09:39 > 0:09:42Good luck to all our semifinalists.
0:09:42 > 0:09:45First on is the winner of the percussion title,
0:09:45 > 0:09:4715-year-old Elliott Gaston-Ross.
0:09:54 > 0:09:57Elliott Gaston-Ross lives with his mum and dad
0:09:57 > 0:09:59in a small town near Preston.
0:09:59 > 0:10:03My mum and dad first bought me a drum kit when I was seven years old.
0:10:03 > 0:10:06The drum kit came about, really,
0:10:06 > 0:10:09because he used to drive us a bit nuts.
0:10:09 > 0:10:12He used to tap and bang and knock everything.
0:10:12 > 0:10:14They were getting a bit fed up,
0:10:14 > 0:10:17so they said, "Tap on that," basically.
0:10:17 > 0:10:19So then I got a local drum teacher
0:10:19 > 0:10:22and I just really enjoyed it.
0:10:24 > 0:10:27On his percussion kit, squeezed into the lounge,
0:10:27 > 0:10:29Elliott uses every precious moment
0:10:29 > 0:10:31to practise in the run-up to the competition.
0:10:31 > 0:10:35It was only six, seven months ago
0:10:35 > 0:10:38that my teacher asked me, "Would you like to go in for it?"
0:10:38 > 0:10:40And I never thought I was really good enough,
0:10:40 > 0:10:44but I did it anyway and it really has done wonders for my playing.
0:10:44 > 0:10:47I've improved massively because of the competition.
0:10:47 > 0:10:51I have the music as a background to my dreams
0:10:51 > 0:10:53because I hear it so often,
0:10:53 > 0:10:56and yet Elliot seems to be completely oblivious.
0:10:56 > 0:10:58He sleeps perfectly soundly,
0:10:58 > 0:11:02gets up in the morning and is ready to do it all over again.
0:11:02 > 0:11:05My dad does sometimes mention, you know,
0:11:05 > 0:11:07"You have practised quite a lot today.
0:11:07 > 0:11:11"You sure you don't want to do any more?"
0:11:11 > 0:11:14Elliot's hoping that all those hours of practice will pay off,
0:11:14 > 0:11:18and dreams of following in the footsteps of Adrian Spillett,
0:11:18 > 0:11:21who won the overall title in 1998
0:11:21 > 0:11:24and remains the only percussionist to have done so.
0:11:26 > 0:11:29It has really been a thing that all percussionists,
0:11:29 > 0:11:32since Adrian won, has dreamed of.
0:11:32 > 0:11:37It's a top competition and it would be a dream come true, really.
0:11:37 > 0:11:39APPLAUSE
0:11:39 > 0:11:42And here is Elliott to open the semifinal
0:11:42 > 0:11:44with a piece for the snare drum,
0:11:44 > 0:11:46A Minute Of News, by Eugene Novotney.
0:11:47 > 0:11:50I chose because it shows a few different techniques,
0:11:50 > 0:11:52it has a clear groove to it
0:11:52 > 0:11:56and I feel it's a really entertaining open to the programme.
0:14:15 > 0:14:17APPLAUSE
0:14:17 > 0:14:21Elliott getting the semifinal under way with real flair.
0:14:21 > 0:14:23A physically demanding piece next.
0:14:23 > 0:14:27The first movement of Trilogy, by Dave Maric.
0:14:27 > 0:14:30Trilogy is probably the biggest piece in my programme.
0:14:30 > 0:14:32It requires so many instruments
0:14:32 > 0:14:36and I really like how it has a CD backing track with sample sounds.
0:14:40 > 0:14:41It's a really energetic piece,
0:14:41 > 0:14:45and I plan to make it an energetic performance.
0:18:10 > 0:18:12APPLAUSE
0:18:14 > 0:18:17An energetic performance there from Elliott.
0:18:17 > 0:18:19Also in his programme, Prism,
0:18:19 > 0:18:22by Japanese composer Keiko Abe.
0:18:22 > 0:18:24And to end we're going to hear another Japanese piece,
0:18:24 > 0:18:27Land, by Takatsugu Muramatsu.
0:18:28 > 0:18:31It's one of the most famous marimba pieces ever written
0:18:31 > 0:18:35and I chose it because it's a really peaceful piece.
0:18:35 > 0:18:39The idea is quite simple, but it's just such a beautiful piece
0:18:39 > 0:18:42and it really does lend itself really well to the marimba.
0:22:09 > 0:22:12APPLAUSE
0:22:15 > 0:22:1715-year-old Elliott Gaston-Ross there,
0:22:17 > 0:22:20with a magnificent start to tonight's semifinal.
0:22:20 > 0:22:21He said to me earlier
0:22:21 > 0:22:25that he thought he could have done better in his category final.
0:22:25 > 0:22:27I think he's got to be delighted with that.
0:22:27 > 0:22:29It was mesmerising!
0:22:34 > 0:22:38Elliott, opening the competition with fireworks.
0:22:39 > 0:22:43I always enjoy going out on that stage and this wasn't an exception.
0:22:43 > 0:22:45I did enjoy it.
0:22:47 > 0:22:50Incredible technicality, unbelievable speed across...
0:22:50 > 0:22:52I think he was using three limbs at once
0:22:52 > 0:22:54in one of the moments, which was pretty impressive.
0:22:54 > 0:22:59He dared to play quietly, he dared to draw us in.
0:22:59 > 0:23:03And that's not heard of that often, so bravo to him there.
0:23:03 > 0:23:05I felt very proud and pleased for him
0:23:05 > 0:23:07and he looked as if he was enjoying it.
0:23:10 > 0:23:11So, we're up and running.
0:23:11 > 0:23:15Next on stage is 18-year-old trumpet player Matilda Lloyd,
0:23:15 > 0:23:16who charmed the jury
0:23:16 > 0:23:19with her winning performance in the brass category final.
0:23:30 > 0:23:33Tonbridge, in Kent, where 18-year-old Matilda Lloyd
0:23:33 > 0:23:36lives with her rather musical family.
0:23:36 > 0:23:40It was her dad that introduced her to the trumpet at a young age.
0:23:40 > 0:23:42Matilda picked it up and some people, I think,
0:23:42 > 0:23:44have a sort of natural affinity
0:23:44 > 0:23:47to being able to make a sound straightaway out of a trumpet.
0:23:50 > 0:23:51He was completely amazed,
0:23:51 > 0:23:54because it's actually quite hard to get a sound out of the trumpet.
0:23:54 > 0:23:58And she said, "Oh, I like this! Can I have some lessons?"
0:23:58 > 0:24:00And that was really the start of it.
0:24:00 > 0:24:02Virginia is an accomplished pianist
0:24:02 > 0:24:05and is Matilda's regular accompanist.
0:24:09 > 0:24:12It's really helpful to have her there,
0:24:12 > 0:24:14because we can work together
0:24:14 > 0:24:17and I can familiarise myself with the piano parts.
0:24:17 > 0:24:20For Matilda there are no gaps in the schedule...
0:24:21 > 0:24:24with every Saturday taken up with lessons
0:24:24 > 0:24:27at the Junior Guildhall School of Music.
0:24:27 > 0:24:30Matilda's day starts with a trumpet lesson from Andy Mitchell.
0:24:34 > 0:24:36She comes in at eight o'clock on a Saturday morning
0:24:36 > 0:24:39and we normally have a pretty good hour's work-out.
0:24:39 > 0:24:41And then she'll go on through the day
0:24:41 > 0:24:44with the various groups that she's involved in,
0:24:44 > 0:24:45she seems to be tireless.
0:24:45 > 0:24:48But it was joining the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain
0:24:48 > 0:24:52three years ago that really helped develop Matilda's playing.
0:24:52 > 0:24:55Working with top conductors, top trumpet tutors,
0:24:55 > 0:24:58hearing other people all playing to an amazingly high standard,
0:24:58 > 0:25:00that has really spurred her on.
0:25:00 > 0:25:04Recently, we played Mahler's 5th Symphony at the Barbican in London,
0:25:04 > 0:25:08erm...which was THE most incredible experience of my life.
0:25:08 > 0:25:10APPLAUSE Some trumpet players
0:25:10 > 0:25:12regard playing Mahler
0:25:12 > 0:25:15as being the zenith of orchestral playing.
0:25:15 > 0:25:18The lights went down and I picked up my trumpet
0:25:18 > 0:25:22and then I played by myself for about 11 bars.
0:25:27 > 0:25:30It was the most terrifying experience,
0:25:30 > 0:25:32but exhilarating at the same time.
0:25:38 > 0:25:39Not just the opening,
0:25:39 > 0:25:42which demands tremendous nerve and control,
0:25:42 > 0:25:45but all the way through.
0:25:45 > 0:25:47I've never heard it played better, really.
0:25:54 > 0:25:57Matilda's clearly someone who can handle pressure,
0:25:57 > 0:26:00but how is she going to approach this semifinal?
0:26:00 > 0:26:01SHE EXHALES LOUDLY
0:26:01 > 0:26:04At the start of my performance in the category final
0:26:04 > 0:26:06I think maybe I was a bit reserved,
0:26:06 > 0:26:10sort of dipping my toes in the water before jumping in, so...
0:26:10 > 0:26:13tonight I really want to just dive straight in at the very beginning.
0:26:15 > 0:26:17APPLAUSE
0:26:17 > 0:26:19It's a family affair for Matilda
0:26:19 > 0:26:23as she takes to the stage accompanied by her mother Virginia
0:26:23 > 0:26:26and her sister Verity as page-turner.
0:26:26 > 0:26:28Honegger's Intrada -
0:26:28 > 0:26:31it was written in 1947 by Honegger,
0:26:31 > 0:26:33who was a Swiss composer.
0:26:33 > 0:26:35And "intrada" means entrance,
0:26:35 > 0:26:39so it starts off with this very bold, loud fanfare
0:26:39 > 0:26:41which just sort of says, "Here I am!" to everyone.
0:28:34 > 0:28:37Matilda, with a confident opening to her programme.
0:28:37 > 0:28:42Next, she plays the rhapsodic Legende, by George Enescu.
0:28:42 > 0:28:44He lived and worked in Paris
0:28:44 > 0:28:48so a lot of his work is influenced by the impressionist movement
0:28:48 > 0:28:49of the early 20th century,
0:28:49 > 0:28:52and I think you can really hear that in Legende,
0:28:52 > 0:28:54it's very impressionistic and bubbly.
0:31:29 > 0:31:31APPLAUSE
0:31:32 > 0:31:35And to end her programme with a flourish,
0:31:35 > 0:31:37Matilda plays Toccata,
0:31:37 > 0:31:40the 3rd Movement from Flor Peeters' Trumpet Sonata.
0:31:40 > 0:31:42It's very Spanish-influenced.
0:31:42 > 0:31:45You can really hear the flamenco dancing
0:31:45 > 0:31:47and the castanets in it, and it's...
0:31:47 > 0:31:50It's just a really fun end piece to the programme.
0:36:31 > 0:36:33APPLAUSE
0:36:36 > 0:36:3818-year-old trumpeter Matilda Lloyd
0:36:38 > 0:36:40playing three really difficult trumpet pieces there
0:36:40 > 0:36:43and making them look like the most easy thing in the world.
0:36:43 > 0:36:46She said she wanted to make an impression with the Intrada,
0:36:46 > 0:36:47and she really did.
0:36:51 > 0:36:53Matilda, Matilda! That was awesome!
0:36:53 > 0:36:54Thank you very much.
0:36:54 > 0:36:57- How did it feel?- Oh, it was amazing.
0:36:57 > 0:36:59I really love playing the trumpet
0:36:59 > 0:37:01and I just wanted to show them all that,
0:37:01 > 0:37:03and I hope they enjoyed it.
0:37:03 > 0:37:06Just captivating, she drew the audience in.
0:37:06 > 0:37:10That really beautiful way that she carved out the melodies
0:37:10 > 0:37:14and made really delicate transitions of dynamics
0:37:14 > 0:37:16was really impressive.
0:37:16 > 0:37:19The tone is really rock solid all the way through.
0:37:19 > 0:37:21She's got lots of lovely colours.
0:37:21 > 0:37:23Overall it's a very convincing performance.
0:37:23 > 0:37:26It was spectacular. It's the greatest privilege and honour
0:37:26 > 0:37:29to be able to sit there and see, you know, your whole family
0:37:29 > 0:37:31performing in front of you, it's extraordinary!
0:37:37 > 0:37:41So, we have heard the winners of percussion and brass categories.
0:37:41 > 0:37:44Still to come - woodwind and strings.
0:37:44 > 0:37:47But up next is the 17-year-old Martin James Bartlett,
0:37:47 > 0:37:49the winner of the keyboard final.
0:37:56 > 0:37:58APPLAUSE
0:37:58 > 0:38:00Martin's no stranger to BBC Young Musician.
0:38:00 > 0:38:04Two years ago he reached the category final stage.
0:38:04 > 0:38:06It was really exciting to be able to do it
0:38:06 > 0:38:08and I think I've learned quite a lot from last time.
0:38:11 > 0:38:14The whole experience was really positive.
0:38:14 > 0:38:17I think it gave him a real sense of what he could do
0:38:17 > 0:38:19and, I think, made him feel that, you know,
0:38:19 > 0:38:22that this long-held ambition of being a concert pianist
0:38:22 > 0:38:24was something that could be achieved.
0:38:24 > 0:38:29Two years on and he's made it to the semifinal.
0:38:29 > 0:38:32A student at the Purcell School of Music,
0:38:32 > 0:38:34Martin has lessons with Emily Jeffrey,
0:38:34 > 0:38:38who is helping him to realise his ambition.
0:38:38 > 0:38:40I've studied with Emily for 10 years.
0:38:40 > 0:38:43Lessons with her are the most important part of my week.
0:38:43 > 0:38:46She just makes me believe more in myself than I would do without her.
0:38:47 > 0:38:51OK, I think you're taking far too much time there, yeah?
0:38:51 > 0:38:52'He's really one of the most'
0:38:52 > 0:38:54talented students I've ever taught,
0:38:54 > 0:38:56and I've had some very talented students.
0:38:57 > 0:39:02In fact, Emily has quite a track record in this competition.
0:39:02 > 0:39:04She taught 2010 winner Lara Omeroglu.
0:39:06 > 0:39:09Now Martin is bringing his own unique personality
0:39:09 > 0:39:11to BBC Young Musician.
0:39:12 > 0:39:15Martin is a bit of a joker,
0:39:15 > 0:39:17a bit mischievous, er...
0:39:17 > 0:39:19he does love to have a laugh
0:39:19 > 0:39:21and quite a personality, I think, really.
0:39:21 > 0:39:22Pretend you're a teacher.
0:39:22 > 0:39:24SHE LAUGHS
0:39:25 > 0:39:28- OK.- He's got a great sense of humour
0:39:28 > 0:39:31and he tends to lighten a room up when he walks in, you know.
0:39:31 > 0:39:35He has great fun and people around him enjoy it as well.
0:39:35 > 0:39:39I think his personality shines through his music.
0:39:39 > 0:39:43And that will have great effect on his future.
0:39:43 > 0:39:46I try and practise five or six hours a day.
0:39:46 > 0:39:49It's hard if there's a piano in the room not to start playing it.
0:39:49 > 0:39:51And it's all, really, I think about,
0:39:51 > 0:39:54even though when I'm in lessons and things like that, it's just...
0:39:54 > 0:39:55I've got pieces going round in my head
0:39:55 > 0:39:57and I want to start playing again.
0:39:57 > 0:40:00It's a passion that's all-consuming,
0:40:00 > 0:40:02even at weekends.
0:40:02 > 0:40:04On Saturdays, I go to the Royal College.
0:40:04 > 0:40:07My morning starts with some piano duo work, which I love,
0:40:07 > 0:40:09and then I have piano trio.
0:40:09 > 0:40:11And it's great fun to go to the Royal College
0:40:11 > 0:40:14and to mix both Purcell and the Royal College -
0:40:14 > 0:40:16they bounce off each other so well.
0:40:16 > 0:40:20So, two years on from his first appearance in BBC Young Musician,
0:40:20 > 0:40:22has Martin got what it takes
0:40:22 > 0:40:26to secure one of the coveted places in the final?
0:40:26 > 0:40:28I would love to get through,
0:40:28 > 0:40:31more than anything to go and play my concerto with the orchestra.
0:40:31 > 0:40:33It means, really, everything to me.
0:40:33 > 0:40:35Do you have any special approach
0:40:35 > 0:40:38- to how you will get out there and shine?- I think... You know,
0:40:38 > 0:40:40you've just got to have fun.
0:40:40 > 0:40:43'It doesn't matter whether, you know, whether there are wrong notes.
0:40:43 > 0:40:45'You've just got to be true to yourself
0:40:45 > 0:40:48'and the composer. If you're true to yourself and the composer
0:40:48 > 0:40:50'then it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks.'
0:40:50 > 0:40:52APPLAUSE
0:40:52 > 0:40:55Martin looking relaxed as he walks on stage.
0:40:55 > 0:40:59He certainly has a distinctive voice as a performer.
0:40:59 > 0:41:03His first piece - Capriccio, a partita by JS Bach.
0:41:03 > 0:41:04I love this so much
0:41:04 > 0:41:07because of the counterpoint and the imitation.
0:41:07 > 0:41:09There's something edgy about Bach
0:41:09 > 0:41:11and then the notes with the long line.
0:41:11 > 0:41:15And so, for me, it's a balance of so many different things
0:41:15 > 0:41:17to get this perfect quality.
0:43:15 > 0:43:16APPLAUSE
0:43:19 > 0:43:22A truly impressive start by Martin.
0:43:22 > 0:43:26Next, the emotional Sonnet 104 by Liszt.
0:43:26 > 0:43:28It's so beautiful.
0:43:28 > 0:43:31It's about being in love and the feelings of, actually,
0:43:31 > 0:43:34hate and love when you're really in love.
0:43:34 > 0:43:38Whereas, looking back at it and saying, "Oh, that was nice."
0:43:38 > 0:43:40It's different to this, that's why I love playing it so much,
0:43:40 > 0:43:43because I feel like I'm on a journey when I play it.
0:47:48 > 0:47:50APPLAUSE
0:47:52 > 0:47:5617-year-old Martin taking us through a whole range of emotions there.
0:47:57 > 0:48:01Also in his programme - Etincelles by Moszkowski.
0:48:01 > 0:48:03To end, we're going to hear a more modern piece -
0:48:03 > 0:48:06the 4th Movement of Barber's Sonata for Piano.
0:48:06 > 0:48:09It's quite contrasting to lots of other Barber's works.
0:48:09 > 0:48:11I mean, there's so much fire in it
0:48:11 > 0:48:13but there's also so much beauty in the middle.
0:48:13 > 0:48:16When I play these massive chords it's like the end of the world
0:48:16 > 0:48:18and everything is falling down, it's just so gripping.
0:51:26 > 0:51:28APPLAUSE AND CHEERING
0:51:33 > 0:51:35Well, I think the audience reaction says it all.
0:51:35 > 0:51:37Occasionally a musician can transcend
0:51:37 > 0:51:39even the instrument they're playing
0:51:39 > 0:51:41and simply bring the music to life
0:51:41 > 0:51:43in all its technicoloured glory.
0:51:48 > 0:51:51I loved it, it's always so much fun to play
0:51:51 > 0:51:54and get the reaction like that from the audience.
0:51:54 > 0:51:56Because it makes me want to do it even more and...
0:51:56 > 0:51:59I don't know what to say, I just love doing that so much.
0:51:59 > 0:52:03Martin was outstanding, he's come up trumps today
0:52:03 > 0:52:05with a fantastic, very...
0:52:05 > 0:52:08enthralling performance across all the pieces.
0:52:10 > 0:52:12Absolutely brilliant. The Barber, the fugue at the end there,
0:52:12 > 0:52:16was just incredible, unbelievable speed and technicality
0:52:16 > 0:52:18and the ferocious virtuosity
0:52:18 > 0:52:20that came out of him.
0:52:20 > 0:52:21Very emotional...indeed.
0:52:21 > 0:52:24But he pulls out all the stops all the time.
0:52:28 > 0:52:32Next to take the stage here is 15-year-old Sophie Westbrooke,
0:52:32 > 0:52:35who gave us a completely enchanting performance on the recorder
0:52:35 > 0:52:36in the woodwind final.
0:52:46 > 0:52:50Recorder player Sophie Westbrooke goes to school in Sevenoaks in Kent
0:52:50 > 0:52:55where, alongside her studies, she's kept very busy with music.
0:52:55 > 0:52:58I'm in two orchestras, three choirs and three chamber groups.
0:52:58 > 0:53:01Symphony Orchestra, String Orchestra, the Sennocke Consort,
0:53:01 > 0:53:04which is the senior choir. Choral Society, which is all the choirs...
0:53:04 > 0:53:05Girls' Choir...
0:53:05 > 0:53:07and, yeah...
0:53:07 > 0:53:10SHE CHUCKLES
0:53:10 > 0:53:12I started playing the recorder in class,
0:53:12 > 0:53:15had lessons when I was about six.
0:53:15 > 0:53:18I don't think I ever really intended it to be my main instrument
0:53:18 > 0:53:21when I was that young, it just kind of...
0:53:21 > 0:53:23happened!
0:53:23 > 0:53:27Sophie's mum, Nicola, who studied piano when she was younger
0:53:27 > 0:53:31spotted her daughter's musical promise at a very young age.
0:53:31 > 0:53:34She sang before she could really talk,
0:53:34 > 0:53:35she used to come out with the noises
0:53:35 > 0:53:38that matched the nursery rhymes in the car,
0:53:38 > 0:53:42and I used to sing her to sleep every night and she, erm,
0:53:42 > 0:53:46sang in harmony, which I thought was quite strange for a three-year-old.
0:53:48 > 0:53:50To develop her musical talents further,
0:53:50 > 0:53:53at weekends Sophie travels to London
0:53:53 > 0:53:56to study at the Royal Academy of Music.
0:53:56 > 0:53:59I started going to Academy in year four.
0:53:59 > 0:54:02I just found it so exciting to be in a place where
0:54:02 > 0:54:06everybody felt the same way about music as me.
0:54:06 > 0:54:09Sophie's taught by Barbara Law.
0:54:09 > 0:54:10Barbara's a really good teacher,
0:54:10 > 0:54:12she always pushes us to do something...
0:54:12 > 0:54:14outside of our comfort zone.
0:54:14 > 0:54:18A few things, I think this needs to be much more theatrical, generally.
0:54:18 > 0:54:20I think, maybe some alternative fingerings for there,
0:54:20 > 0:54:21for the D and the F,
0:54:21 > 0:54:24because that would be nice to have a really wistful sound.
0:54:24 > 0:54:26Once more...
0:54:26 > 0:54:30The repertoire available for the recorder is limited
0:54:30 > 0:54:33but, for Barbara, this can be an advantage.
0:54:33 > 0:54:34You have to be more creative
0:54:34 > 0:54:37and you have to go out and find things,
0:54:37 > 0:54:39you have to transcribe things,
0:54:39 > 0:54:41yeah... so I think it can be an exciting instrument
0:54:41 > 0:54:42from that point of view.
0:54:42 > 0:54:44And Barbara should know -
0:54:44 > 0:54:47her other star pupil is Charlotte Barbour-Condini,
0:54:47 > 0:54:49who made history in 2012
0:54:49 > 0:54:51by becoming the first recorder player
0:54:51 > 0:54:54to reach the final of BBC Young Musician.
0:54:58 > 0:55:01Seeing Charlotte two years ago made me think...
0:55:01 > 0:55:04"Well, maybe it is possible for someone playing the recorder...
0:55:04 > 0:55:05"to get through."
0:55:06 > 0:55:09Sophie's programme features a range of different recorders
0:55:09 > 0:55:14and is designed to run as one continuous performance.
0:55:14 > 0:55:18Tell me, what is the challenge of going from one instrument to the next
0:55:18 > 0:55:20- all the time?- That is one of the big challenges -
0:55:20 > 0:55:22because my fingers have to go in different positions,
0:55:22 > 0:55:24I have to use different breath pressures,
0:55:24 > 0:55:27and in my programme I really don't have too much time
0:55:27 > 0:55:28to adapt to the recorders,
0:55:28 > 0:55:30I have to kind of pick them up quickly.
0:55:30 > 0:55:33But I think it's a nice variety to bring.
0:55:34 > 0:55:36APPLAUSE
0:55:36 > 0:55:39Bringing the sounds of the Far East to Cardiff,
0:55:39 > 0:55:43Sophie opens her programme with Meditation - a modern piece
0:55:43 > 0:55:45by Japanese composer Ryohei Hirose.
0:55:46 > 0:55:51It's kind of based on the shakuhachi sounds that they make, erm...
0:55:51 > 0:55:55It's really good fun to play, it uses lots of extended techniques,
0:55:55 > 0:55:58different types of tonguing... Yeah, it's really good fun.
0:58:18 > 0:58:20To the early baroque period now,
0:58:20 > 0:58:24with Sonata Prima by Italian composer Dario Costello.
0:58:25 > 0:58:27It's a really good showpiece
0:58:27 > 0:58:29cos it's got really, really fast passages
0:58:29 > 0:58:31and really slow, lyrical passages
0:58:31 > 0:58:34and shows lots of different skills and styles.
1:01:58 > 1:02:01We continue our journey with Sophie's final piece - Choro.
1:02:01 > 1:02:04Accompanied by David Gordon on harpsichord
1:02:04 > 1:02:05and Carl Herring on guitar.
1:02:07 > 1:02:10It was originally a CPE Bach keyboard melody
1:02:10 > 1:02:14that Dave has arranged to sound like a Brazilian choro.
1:02:14 > 1:02:16Normally I would end a competition
1:02:16 > 1:02:19with something showy, something dramatic,
1:02:19 > 1:02:23but I kind of wanted to leave it on a kind of...
1:02:23 > 1:02:24thoughtful note instead.
1:05:58 > 1:06:01APPLAUSE
1:06:05 > 1:06:08Well, what an original and inspired choice of programme there
1:06:08 > 1:06:10from Sophie Westbrooke.
1:06:10 > 1:06:11She's a true storyteller
1:06:11 > 1:06:14and, more than that, it seems like she weaves a spell over me
1:06:14 > 1:06:16and the whole audience here.
1:06:16 > 1:06:17It's truly magnificent.
1:06:22 > 1:06:24Whenever you pick up to play this instrument
1:06:24 > 1:06:27it kind of like becomes this most soft beautiful voice
1:06:27 > 1:06:29and you just sing for us.
1:06:29 > 1:06:32I love playing, I love performing, it's so much fun.
1:06:32 > 1:06:34And, hopefully, people will now
1:06:34 > 1:06:38have a more realistic view of what the recorder is.
1:06:38 > 1:06:40It was almost like travelling in time
1:06:40 > 1:06:43but it begins with a really contemporary work
1:06:43 > 1:06:46and that's, I think, what a really wonderful musician can do.
1:06:46 > 1:06:49Wow! It was incredibly mesmerising.
1:06:51 > 1:06:54She explored an incredible array of different colours
1:06:54 > 1:06:56and different sounds
1:06:56 > 1:06:58and I was just completely blown away by that.
1:06:58 > 1:07:00I think there's something very special here.
1:07:00 > 1:07:02We are very proud of Sophie, that was, erm...
1:07:02 > 1:07:04That was phenomenal, I think.
1:07:08 > 1:07:09Plenty for the jury to ponder,
1:07:09 > 1:07:14having heard four outstanding competitors so far.
1:07:14 > 1:07:17Last to perform in this BBC Young Musician semifinal
1:07:17 > 1:07:19is violinist William Dutton,
1:07:19 > 1:07:21who showed tremendous flair
1:07:21 > 1:07:24in his winning performance in the strings final.
1:07:30 > 1:07:3319-year-old William is in his final year
1:07:33 > 1:07:37at the prestigious Yehudi Menuhin School.
1:07:37 > 1:07:39His violin playing was in its early stages
1:07:39 > 1:07:43but he demonstrated such musicality and passion for music
1:07:43 > 1:07:45that we thought this was the right place for him to be.
1:07:45 > 1:07:47His teacher at the Menuhin
1:07:47 > 1:07:50is Russian violinist Loutsia Ibragimova.
1:07:50 > 1:07:52And remember about changing colours
1:07:52 > 1:07:54when you are changing fingers and strings.
1:07:54 > 1:07:58- Hm.- We're doing it for some... making different colour, yeah?
1:08:01 > 1:08:05From September William has set his sights
1:08:05 > 1:08:08on continuing his studies further afield.
1:08:09 > 1:08:11I'm in Italy today, in Bergamo,
1:08:11 > 1:08:15to have some violin lessons with Professor Pavel Vernikov.
1:08:15 > 1:08:17Because I intend, next year,
1:08:17 > 1:08:21to audition for a place in his class in Sion in Switzerland.
1:08:22 > 1:08:26The lessons take place at the Accademia Musicale Santa Cecilia.
1:08:33 > 1:08:35Not every note...
1:08:35 > 1:08:36HE HUMS
1:08:36 > 1:08:38One note here, not five.
1:08:42 > 1:08:44One...
1:08:44 > 1:08:46Better...
1:08:47 > 1:08:51HE SPEAKS IN OWN LANGUAGE
1:08:51 > 1:08:54I like this boy, he is very simpatico.
1:08:56 > 1:08:59He understand very quick, very quick...
1:08:59 > 1:09:04He change a lot of... this last time... For me...
1:09:04 > 1:09:05it's a great pleasure.
1:09:10 > 1:09:15That was very intense, we worked on lots of things together.
1:09:15 > 1:09:18Things about intonation, things about phrasing.
1:09:18 > 1:09:22He teaches me how to listen more, not to sort of say to yourself -
1:09:22 > 1:09:25"OK, I think that sounds quite good, it's fine, let's just move on."
1:09:25 > 1:09:28You know, really think, "What sound am I producing now?
1:09:28 > 1:09:29"Why am I making the sound?"
1:09:31 > 1:09:33Now in the semifinal
1:09:33 > 1:09:35Will is presented with a different problem.
1:09:35 > 1:09:38His good friend Menachem -
1:09:38 > 1:09:40who accompanied him during the strings final
1:09:40 > 1:09:43became ill just days before the semifinal.
1:09:43 > 1:09:45The school has two accompanists
1:09:45 > 1:09:48and one of them, Nigel Hutchinson,
1:09:48 > 1:09:49bravely said that he'd do it.
1:09:49 > 1:09:51Erm, we rehearsed for two days.
1:09:51 > 1:09:53We rehearsed this morning for a couple of hours
1:09:53 > 1:09:55and yesterday for a couple of hours
1:09:55 > 1:09:57and it's another challenge
1:09:57 > 1:10:00to try and make music in a completely different way and...
1:10:00 > 1:10:03I hope that tonight we'll be able to give a performance
1:10:03 > 1:10:05that Menachem would be proud of.
1:10:06 > 1:10:08APPLAUSE
1:10:08 > 1:10:09So, here is William Dutton,
1:10:09 > 1:10:13the last of our competitors in this BBC Young Musician semifinal.
1:10:13 > 1:10:17He opens his programme with a piece full of Jewish motifs,
1:10:17 > 1:10:20Nigun by Ernest Bloch.
1:10:20 > 1:10:22For me, the Bloch Nigun
1:10:22 > 1:10:25is a really special piece.
1:10:25 > 1:10:28I first learnt it about four or five years ago
1:10:28 > 1:10:31with my old teacher, Simon Fischer.
1:10:41 > 1:10:46Fischer was a student of Yfrah Neaman at the Guildhall School,
1:10:46 > 1:10:49who studied, himself, with Bloch,
1:10:49 > 1:10:52and there's things that Bloch didn't write down in the score
1:10:52 > 1:10:56that have been passed down to Yfrah Neaman to Simon to me.
1:15:33 > 1:15:36APPLAUSE
1:15:37 > 1:15:41Will's proud parents and brother in the audience
1:15:41 > 1:15:43enjoying his performance.
1:15:46 > 1:15:49To end his programme and this semifinal,
1:15:49 > 1:15:52an arrangement of Rimsky-Korsakov's Le Coq d'Or
1:15:52 > 1:15:54by Efrem Zimbalist.
1:15:54 > 1:15:57It makes me feel like I'm having a good time.
1:15:57 > 1:15:59You can be as romantic as you like.
1:15:59 > 1:16:01You can really, really play around with it
1:16:01 > 1:16:03and use so many different colours.
1:16:03 > 1:16:05You can try different things every time you play it,
1:16:05 > 1:16:07and you can still be convincing
1:16:07 > 1:16:09even though you're doing it a completely different way,
1:16:09 > 1:16:11because there are so many possibilities.
1:20:34 > 1:20:36APPLAUSE
1:20:38 > 1:20:42A really expressive performance from 18-year-old William Dutton,
1:20:42 > 1:20:44bringing this semifinal to a close.
1:20:44 > 1:20:46He has that thing that all great violinists have,
1:20:46 > 1:20:49which is a real ability to play with elegance and grace
1:20:49 > 1:20:53but also strength and power. Brilliant.
1:20:59 > 1:21:01I felt you were taking risks.
1:21:01 > 1:21:04Yes, taking a few risks. Taking a few risks.
1:21:04 > 1:21:07I tried to really let go and just play.
1:21:07 > 1:21:10I really enjoyed William's playing. I thought it was incredible.
1:21:10 > 1:21:13An unbelievable kind of chromatic wizardry.
1:21:13 > 1:21:16His fingers are like an octopus, whizzing up and down the fretboard.
1:21:16 > 1:21:18But I might have liked a little bit more variety
1:21:18 > 1:21:20in the pieces that he performed.
1:21:20 > 1:21:22Really, really strong performance.
1:21:22 > 1:21:24Very relaxed stage presence,
1:21:24 > 1:21:28but this incredible sound that filled every corner of the hall.
1:21:28 > 1:21:31I think he played really, really well, so hopefully,
1:21:31 > 1:21:33you know, he can get through.
1:21:35 > 1:21:39Well, another hugely enjoyable, if nerve-racking, evening
1:21:39 > 1:21:41here at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.
1:21:41 > 1:21:44Five outstanding young musicians
1:21:44 > 1:21:46giving their all in this semifinal.
1:21:46 > 1:21:50For me, they took their playing to another level this evening -
1:21:50 > 1:21:52really owning their space on the stage,
1:21:52 > 1:21:54looking completely at home.
1:21:54 > 1:21:55Sadly, for two of them,
1:21:55 > 1:21:57their Young Musician dream ends here,
1:21:57 > 1:22:00but for three of them, the final awaits.
1:22:02 > 1:22:07Making that all-important decision...
1:22:40 > 1:22:44I'm incredibly impressed with all five performances.
1:22:44 > 1:22:48I agree. I think the level was incredibly high.
1:22:51 > 1:22:55So, Elliot - did you enjoy his performance as much as I did?
1:22:55 > 1:22:58I thought he was top-class, actually.
1:22:58 > 1:23:02There was a really infectious enthusiasm in his music-making.
1:23:02 > 1:23:05For me, it was almost as though
1:23:05 > 1:23:07he was making music in the moment.
1:23:07 > 1:23:10It was all from the heart.
1:23:10 > 1:23:13Such showmanship all the way through
1:23:13 > 1:23:15and then, with the marimba,
1:23:15 > 1:23:18such a massive instrument but then such an intimate sound.
1:23:24 > 1:23:27With Matilda, it's no mean feat
1:23:27 > 1:23:30to have such technical security on the trumpet at that kind of age.
1:23:30 > 1:23:32Her strongest piece was the Enescu,
1:23:32 > 1:23:34because that's when we heard
1:23:34 > 1:23:36more of the singing quality of the sound
1:23:36 > 1:23:40and some of that really fine tonguing and articulation.
1:23:40 > 1:23:44I was captivated. I think she did a beautiful job.
1:23:44 > 1:23:47MICHAEL: Technically flamboyant in many places
1:23:47 > 1:23:49and lots of light and dark and contrast, loud or soft,
1:23:49 > 1:23:51I thought she brought that out.
1:23:51 > 1:23:53But it's a little bit difficult, sometimes, isn't it,
1:23:53 > 1:23:56to be able to communicate, and I'd have liked to have seen
1:23:56 > 1:23:57a little bit more of that from her.
1:23:57 > 1:24:00Some of the pieces had long passages of piano in them.
1:24:00 > 1:24:01Again, if you're just a soloist...
1:24:01 > 1:24:04- That's when she can communicate.- Indeed.
1:24:06 > 1:24:09There's something very satisfying about Martin.
1:24:09 > 1:24:13- There's amazing clarity in that opening Bach piece.- Very.
1:24:13 > 1:24:16- Fantastic voice-leading and... - The articulation was superb.
1:24:16 > 1:24:19Often, you hear it, the left hand's a little bit muddy.
1:24:19 > 1:24:23The left hand had so much character and shaping. Really strong there.
1:24:23 > 1:24:27What a clever way to bring a programme together.
1:24:27 > 1:24:31You begin with the Bach and you end with another contrapuntal piece
1:24:31 > 1:24:33centuries later.
1:24:33 > 1:24:36I love the idea of time travel in programming,
1:24:36 > 1:24:39and I think he managed to do that.
1:24:41 > 1:24:42But the Liszt, especially,
1:24:42 > 1:24:46was full of massive phrases and huge leaps.
1:24:46 > 1:24:50- Real depth and maturity in the playing, generally.- Very much.
1:24:55 > 1:24:58Sophie's performance is so delightfully surprising, isn't it?
1:24:58 > 1:25:00I found it absolutely mesmerising.
1:25:00 > 1:25:03I noticed not just the sound, actually, the entire performance,
1:25:03 > 1:25:05she allowed us to come inside
1:25:05 > 1:25:08that kind of elfin-like world that she's created.
1:25:08 > 1:25:11All sorts of different mysticism...
1:25:11 > 1:25:14One moment it's a Japanese shakuhachi,
1:25:14 > 1:25:16the next it's a kind of Irish pipe. It's an amazing variety.
1:25:16 > 1:25:18Very, very clever performance.
1:25:18 > 1:25:21I think what was particularly interesting with her
1:25:21 > 1:25:22is that she was one of the few
1:25:22 > 1:25:24who really interacted with her accompanists,
1:25:24 > 1:25:28almost as though it was chamber music. She was in control.
1:25:28 > 1:25:30- But she let them perform... - Exactly.
1:25:30 > 1:25:32- It's very sophisticated.- Yeah.
1:25:35 > 1:25:39William's programme showed off a lot of his qualities.
1:25:39 > 1:25:42Technically, he's clearly absolutely on the button.
1:25:42 > 1:25:45There could have been a little more variety in what he was performing.
1:25:45 > 1:25:49- Would have been amazing to hear him play some Bach.- Some Bach.
1:25:49 > 1:25:52- Beethoven.- Or Beethoven, yes. - The different qualities.
1:25:52 > 1:25:55Just the colours that he was getting out from those two pieces -
1:25:55 > 1:25:59imagine all the colours that he can get out from other repertoire as well.
1:25:59 > 1:26:03Well, we've got to choose three out of those five
1:26:03 > 1:26:07- to go through to the final and play their concertos.- Hmm.
1:26:11 > 1:26:14So, the wait is almost over.
1:26:14 > 1:26:17The audience have their favourites,
1:26:17 > 1:26:19but who have the jury chosen to go through to the final
1:26:19 > 1:26:21of BBC Young Musician 2014?
1:26:21 > 1:26:24To make the announcements - Meurig Bowen.
1:26:24 > 1:26:27We've been treated to an extraordinary display
1:26:27 > 1:26:29of musicianship and virtuosity tonight
1:26:29 > 1:26:32and, of course, it's been incredibly hard for us
1:26:32 > 1:26:35to whittle these five exceptional young people
1:26:35 > 1:26:39down to the three who will get to play concertos in the final.
1:26:39 > 1:26:41It's my pleasure to announce
1:26:41 > 1:26:46that the three performers who will progress to the final
1:26:46 > 1:26:48of BBC Young Musician 2014 are...
1:26:50 > 1:26:53Martin James Bartlett,
1:26:53 > 1:26:55Sophie Westbrooke
1:26:55 > 1:26:57and Elliot Gaston-Ross.
1:26:59 > 1:27:02APPLAUSE
1:27:02 > 1:27:06And there we have our three finalists -
1:27:06 > 1:27:09Elliot, Martin and Sophie -
1:27:09 > 1:27:13who gave their all in tonight's performance,
1:27:13 > 1:27:15delighting the audience and jury alike.
1:27:16 > 1:27:20Huge congratulations also to Will and Matilda,
1:27:20 > 1:27:25who leave this competition as outstanding category winners.
1:27:26 > 1:27:30All three, for me, touched my heart
1:27:30 > 1:27:32and they made me want to listen.
1:27:32 > 1:27:34The things that I was looking for
1:27:34 > 1:27:37were communication, personality and maturity,
1:27:37 > 1:27:40and I feel that the three finalists that we have
1:27:40 > 1:27:43exhibited that in bucket-loads.
1:27:43 > 1:27:45You are in the final. Yay!
1:27:47 > 1:27:50When I applied for this competition,
1:27:50 > 1:27:52the final was just so far up here.
1:27:52 > 1:27:56It's unthinkable. It's just happened now, and it's... Oh!
1:27:56 > 1:28:00It doesn't feel real. It feels like this doesn't happen in real life.
1:28:00 > 1:28:03I can't believe it and I can't wait to play in the concerto final.
1:28:03 > 1:28:05CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
1:28:05 > 1:28:07It's been such a journey.
1:28:07 > 1:28:11I'm so happy for him. He's worked so hard.
1:28:11 > 1:28:14I've never been to Usher Hall. I've never been to Edinburgh before.
1:28:14 > 1:28:17- Yes, you have. > - I HAVE been to Edinburgh before!
1:28:17 > 1:28:19THEY LAUGH
1:28:21 > 1:28:23I have to learn a concerto.
1:28:23 > 1:28:25I don't know what I'm going to do. Ah!
1:28:25 > 1:28:28APPLAUSE
1:28:28 > 1:28:31We might have to rent you a house...
1:28:32 > 1:28:34- ..that you can practise in.- Wow...
1:28:34 > 1:28:36I'm so pleased.
1:28:36 > 1:28:38Oh, it's fantastic.
1:28:40 > 1:28:44Huge congratulations to all of our semifinalists,
1:28:44 > 1:28:48and massive well done to Sophie, Martin and Elliot,
1:28:48 > 1:28:51who make it to our final at the Usher Hall in Edinburgh.
1:28:51 > 1:28:54Join us here on BBC Four tomorrow evening
1:28:54 > 1:28:56for the full coverage,
1:28:56 > 1:28:58as our three finalists compete for the title
1:28:58 > 1:29:01of BBC Young Musician 2014.