I did think it was great that there was such a sense of camaraderie among the woodwind finalists.
Full Version: Young Musician 2008
I've just caught up with the woodwind finals (was teaching on Monday evening) and MUCH preferred the oboist to the flautist. Yes, he was a good performer, but I felt that the oboist had far more music in her, and I much preferred listening to her playing - the only thing I didn't like was her rather annoying (nervous?) laugh in the snippets of interview.
I did think it was great that there was such a sense of camaraderie among the woodwind finalists.
I did think it was great that there was such a sense of camaraderie among the woodwind finalists.
On the schools thing: I got in to the Royal Scottish Academy from one of the most ordinary comprehensive schools you could find. I didn't go to any 'Junior' academy either. I just did my 5hours-a-day practice at home before and after school and still have a string of 'O' and 'H' grades too (as they were in those days).
I would have given a bodypart to go to a specialist school but my parents couldn't afford it.
I'm really pleased about the guitarist - I like him even better than the flautist
I would have given a bodypart to go to a specialist school but my parents couldn't afford it.
I'm really pleased about the guitarist - I like him even better than the flautist
No contest last night - Guitar by a mile! How on earth did that violinist get so far ! 
The guitarist was definitly the right choice in my eyes, I liked the harp player too it was quite refreshing to have 2 minority instrument in the semis. I was suprised that the violinist was even picked to go through having messed up in the round before she really wasnt ready, but maybe in 2 year time she will be.
I like the trombone for tonights performance.
I like the trombone for tonights performance.
The violinist played repertoire that even a professional would avoid with such a short preparation period. The Ysaye is just monumentally difficult, I just can't believe she thought she'd pull it off under the pressure of a competition.
The guitarist was the right choice to go through, although I'd hoped the harpist might have stolen it. I love the sound of the harp
so wonderfully calming and ethereal.... [sigh] One day.... when I've got a bit more room to myself 
......
The guitarist was the right choice to go through, although I'd hoped the harpist might have stolen it. I love the sound of the harp
so wonderfully calming and ethereal.... [sigh] One day.... when I've got a bit more room to myself ......
[quote name='AmandaL' date='May 7 2008, 11:15 AM' post='695906']
The violinist played repertoire that even a professional would avoid with such a short preparation period. The Ysaye is just monumentally difficult, I just can't believe she thought she'd pull it off under the pressure of a competition.
Perhaps better guidance from her teacher would have resulted in a more suitable choice of repertoire.
Lottie now you wouldn't have to sell a body part as there is funding for all uk entrants to specialist music school through the Music and Dance scheme.
Jumper they do do English etc in the specialist schools they just don't do as many GCSE's eg 6 or 7 rather than 10 + that many teens do now.
Looking at who's left there's a real possibility that it could be an all male final. Does anyone know if that's happened before?
The violinist played repertoire that even a professional would avoid with such a short preparation period. The Ysaye is just monumentally difficult, I just can't believe she thought she'd pull it off under the pressure of a competition.
Perhaps better guidance from her teacher would have resulted in a more suitable choice of repertoire.
Lottie now you wouldn't have to sell a body part as there is funding for all uk entrants to specialist music school through the Music and Dance scheme.
Jumper they do do English etc in the specialist schools they just don't do as many GCSE's eg 6 or 7 rather than 10 + that many teens do now.
Looking at who's left there's a real possibility that it could be an all male final. Does anyone know if that's happened before?
QUOTE(Larsen @ May 6 2008, 08:00 PM) 
early warning, i may sound a little harsh, here goes
why is everyone complaining that only people from specialist music schools get into conservertoires? there are lots of people who get in without having gone to one? it's good that lots of young people have ambitions to go further with their musical training, but to be honest, the UK has some of the best conservertoires in the world, and you will not only be up against the people from specialist music schools, but those really genius of a musicians from continental europe. and to be fair, you have to appreciate what people from special music schools go through, they are stuck there, a lot of them boarding, with minimal academia, and around 4hrs basic practice everyday. they are also coached by some of the most inspirational coaches - if you ask me, they deserve that place, and people who don't go to special music schools, if you ever want a chance to study at london conservertoires, take my word for it, they are a hot house, you will be playing 8hrs day min, if you don't have the basic intensive atmosphere of a practicing day, you will not get very far even if you do get in. so, practice as if you DO go to a specialist school, and keep in mind the kind of competition you are up against - UK conservertoires wouldn't be where they are today if they didn't specially hand pick every single ugrad. good luck
oh, and the results for the cat finals were in AGES ago. they just haven't published them yet.. or have they now? i know the pianist final 5 personally, i had a class with him last year
- enough of giving it awayWow.
I agree that sadly there is no way they should or could take in to account someones background in a college audition. But I do still think it's sad that more often than not people aren't given insight in to the amount of work they would have to do at the top so they can make that decision to practise like ######, or not. Equally, I do think that unless you understand the amount of work you've got to do, you might not cope....!
Re: Katherine Robb the violinist, as the judges said, with some more experience and perhaps if she learns to deal with the nerves and tries not to get upset before walking on, she will be formidable one day. I heard her Schnittke in the semi's and it was so good. (Apart from stopping.) I just think that she's not very experienced and a little ill advised and underprepared. I did what she did in a small concerto competition the other day. I thought I could pull off a piece I'd just started working on, but I wasn't technically on top of it, so I wasn't making music. I wasn't comfortable. Trying to pull of the Ysaye on national television having picked it up relatively recently was not a good decision.
QUOTE(AmandaL @ May 7 2008, 11:15 AM)
The violinist played repertoire that even a professional would avoid with such a short preparation period. The Ysaye is just monumentally difficult, I just can't believe she thought she'd pull it off under the pressure of a competition.
The guitarist was the right choice to go through, although I'd hoped the harpist might have stolen it. I love the sound of the harp
so wonderfully calming and ethereal.... [sigh] One day.... when I've got a bit more room to myself ......In my opinion no-one should enter unless they have the repertoire for all the rounds pretty much under their belt before the competition starts. That way, short preparation periods between rounds aren't an issue.
QUOTE(DiscoPants @ May 7 2008, 02:56 PM)
In my opinion no-one should enter unless they have the repertoire for all the rounds pretty much under their belt before the competition starts. That way, short preparation periods between rounds aren't an issue.
I'm not actually certain they get that opportunity. I think there is a set list of repertoire that they can choose from for each round, but they may not have knowledge of it until they get through the respective audition.
QUOTE(AmandaL @ May 7 2008, 06:22 PM)
QUOTE(DiscoPants @ May 7 2008, 02:56 PM)
In my opinion no-one should enter unless they have the repertoire for all the rounds pretty much under their belt before the competition starts. That way, short preparation periods between rounds aren't an issue.
I'm not actually certain they get that opportunity. I think there is a set list of repertoire that they can choose from for each round, but they may not have knowledge of it until they get through the respective audition.I don't think thats right because 2 of the percussionists performed their own compositions and they wouldn't have been on any set list. I am fairly confident that the performers can choose their own repertoire.
QUOTE(AmandaL @ May 7 2008, 06:22 PM)
QUOTE(DiscoPants @ May 7 2008, 02:56 PM)
In my opinion no-one should enter unless they have the repertoire for all the rounds pretty much under their belt before the competition starts. That way, short preparation periods between rounds aren't an issue.
I'm not actually certain they get that opportunity. I think there is a set list of repertoire that they can choose from for each round, but they may not have knowledge of it until they get through the respective audition.No, apart from one or two rules restricting repetition of pieces in different rounds, and the requirement that the concerto chosen for the final does not exceed 25minutes duration, the choice of pieces is entirely free. To the best of my knowledge the BBC has always been like this.
There is usually some requirement that at least one of the pieces in each round has to be by a living composer, composed in the last 10 years, but even here, the choice is free, subject to these criteria. This time, I believe they scrapped even this requirement after the regional finals.
QUOTE(Scurra @ May 6 2008, 10:37 PM)
Well, Delia Stevens goes to my school... which certainly isn't a specialist music college! She's also 16, and in the thick of GCSEs - lovely
yes...but she goes to junior RNCM on a saturday...but is A-mazing!
they are all incredibly gifted, and i think pretty much all of them deserve to be there!
Trombone player really impressed the judges apparently and is the brass finalist!
it may just be me, but, are the standards of young musicians these days slipping? it seems that it has gone WAY down hill. i remember when i was young, i always used to look up to young musicians who are my age now in awe, and i also remember BBCYM being EXTREMELY hottly contended...
have i just gotten old? or have the standards gone? (they are still very talented dont get me wrong!!!)
have i just gotten old? or have the standards gone? (they are still very talented dont get me wrong!!!)
Em I certainly felt that way this year with the strings. Much less so with the wind and brass.
QUOTE(Larsen @ May 7 2008, 09:11 PM)
it may just be me, but, are the standards of young musicians these days slipping? it seems that it has gone WAY down hill. i remember when i was young, i always used to look up to young musicians who are my age now in awe, and i also remember BBCYM being EXTREMELY hottly contended...
have i just gotten old? or have the standards gone? (they are still very talented dont get me wrong!!!)
have i just gotten old? or have the standards gone? (they are still very talented dont get me wrong!!!)
I also feel this way. Just comparing the flautist (what I know best) his standard is indeed very good, but I have heard better by other young flautists out there. In the end it depends on if they actually enter or not and what the judges are looking for. I heard the flautist perform at the British Flute Society competition this february, where the flute professionals judging awarded him a runner up prize, with some very very strong performances in the top 3.
I am however looking forward to seeing a flute concerto being performed.....not done so often (well I cant find any performances in London anyway!)
QUOTE(Larsen @ May 7 2008, 09:11 PM)
it may just be me, but, are the standards of young musicians these days slipping? it seems that it has gone WAY down hill. i remember when i was young, i always used to look up to young musicians who are my age now in awe, and i also remember BBCYM being EXTREMELY hottly contended...
have i just gotten old? or have the standards gone? (they are still very talented dont get me wrong!!!)
I don't think the average standard of musicianship of the entrants has gone down at all. What has deteriorated, in my opinion, is the standard of the judging and the general ethos of the competition. The BBC now seem more interested in attempting to produce a TV show with populist appeal than in conducting a fair search for genuine artistic merit. I know several genuinely outstanding violinists who were knocked out in the earlier rounds that must have watched the string final with their jaws on the floor in disbelief.
QUOTE(DiscoPants @ May 8 2008, 05:52 AM)
The BBC now seem more interested in attempting to produce a TV show with populist appeal than in conducting a fair search for genuine artistic merit. I know several genuinely outstanding violinists who were knocked out in the earlier rounds that must have watched the string final with their jaws on the floor in disbelief.
Do you think it was ever that fair? I know someone roughly my age (30s) who entered in his youth, and he was told he was very good but not 'televisual' enough to go through to the televised rounds (ie. he's a little odd-looking).
QUOTE(Claire21 @ May 8 2008, 07:37 AM)
QUOTE(DiscoPants @ May 8 2008, 05:52 AM)
The BBC now seem more interested in attempting to produce a TV show with populist appeal than in conducting a fair search for genuine artistic merit. I know several genuinely outstanding violinists who were knocked out in the earlier rounds that must have watched the string final with their jaws on the floor in disbelief.
Do you think it was ever that fair? I know someone roughly my age (30s) who entered in his youth, and he was told he was very good but not 'televisual' enough to go through to the televised rounds (ie. he's a little odd-looking).
Come on. They would never have said that to a contestant (even if it were true).
QUOTE(DiscoPants @ May 8 2008, 05:52 AM)
QUOTE(Larsen @ May 7 2008, 09:11 PM)
it may just be me, but, are the standards of young musicians these days slipping? it seems that it has gone WAY down hill. i remember when i was young, i always used to look up to young musicians who are my age now in awe, and i also remember BBCYM being EXTREMELY hottly contended...
have i just gotten old? or have the standards gone? (they are still very talented dont get me wrong!!!)
I don't think the average standard of musicianship of the entrants has gone down at all. What has deteriorated, in my opinion, is the standard of the judging and the general ethos of the competition. The BBC now seem more interested in attempting to produce a TV show with populist appeal than in conducting a fair search for genuine artistic merit. I know several genuinely outstanding violinists who were knocked out in the earlier rounds that must have watched the string final with their jaws on the floor in disbelief.
hmm, yes, maybe. the dark cynicalness of classical music x factor. must have been rather disappointing for the outstanding ones who are "untelevisable". sad really
Well I agree with the percussion judges last night who narrowly preferred Jim, but it was close.
QUOTE(DiscoPants @ May 8 2008, 09:26 PM)
QUOTE(Claire21 @ May 8 2008, 07:37 AM)
Do you think it was ever that fair? I know someone roughly my age (30s) who entered in his youth, and he was told he was very good but not 'televisual' enough to go through to the televised rounds (ie. he's a little odd-looking).
Come on. They would never have said that to a contestant (even if it were true).
How can you be so sure? I don't see why he would make it up.
QUOTE(Claire21 @ May 9 2008, 07:38 AM)
QUOTE(DiscoPants @ May 8 2008, 09:26 PM)
QUOTE(Claire21 @ May 8 2008, 07:37 AM)
Do you think it was ever that fair? I know someone roughly my age (30s) who entered in his youth, and he was told he was very good but not 'televisual' enough to go through to the televised rounds (ie. he's a little odd-looking).
Come on. They would never have said that to a contestant (even if it were true).
How can you be so sure? I don't see why he would make it up.
Oh I'm sure it's true. I've written on the Beeb website to register my disgust at the way this comp has gone. I sat through the string final and there was no music just 'personalities' hurmph. It was like Strictly Come Dancing without the dancing!! If I needed to listen to the pieces I was suppose to go 'online' which I can't because I'm not on broadband - and hey are all the family suppose to sit around the laptop and watch a full concert? I dunno. It's rubbish. What I saw of the string player was painful. Had they chosen her because she was 14 (o.k. she can play better than me but then my apirations don't extend beyond the pleasure of playing). Blah blah blah. I'm proper mad about all this.
I've quoted it before and I'll quote it again - remember a judge's evaluation of the piano finalist's performance of a Shostakovich concerto in the final of Classical Star?
"Loved the green dress, loved the red hair."
Enough said.
"Loved the green dress, loved the red hair."
Enough said.
Does anyone know what programmes the people will be playing in this Saturday concerto thing?
I am really excited at hearing the trombonist again. And I am interested in what repertoire the flautist choses.
I am really excited at hearing the trombonist again. And I am interested in what repertoire the flautist choses.
QUOTE(benjaminja @ May 10 2008, 11:18 AM)
I've quoted it before and I'll quote it again - remember a judge's evaluation of the piano finalist's performance of a Shostakovich concerto in the final of Classical Star?
"Loved the green dress, loved the red hair."
Enough said.
As soon as I heard that comment, somehow I just KNEW who was going to win...
QUOTE(Cyrilla @ May 10 2008, 04:32 PM)
QUOTE(benjaminja @ May 10 2008, 11:18 AM)
I've quoted it before and I'll quote it again - remember a judge's evaluation of the piano finalist's performance of a Shostakovich concerto in the final of Classical Star?
"Loved the green dress, loved the red hair."
Enough said.
As soon as I heard that comment, somehow I just KNEW who was going to win...
Yes....
QUOTE(nicki_flute @ May 10 2008, 03:31 PM)
I am interested in what repertoire the flautist choses.
Me too. They have to keep it within a 25 minute time limit which takes out a lot of the really nice concertos In my opinion.
Probably going to be another Nielsen or Ibert.
Francaix would be an interesting choice. Rodrigo would also be nice, but slightly too long. The Khachaturian is also amazing but too long. I think the repetoire is just quite limited, and to put a 25 minute limit takes out the majority of the really good concertos. Even Mozart G major would be pushing it.....!
Another thing.........how do they choose the judges?! No guitarist, no wind player, no percussionist, no brass player, just a collection of string players and conductors!!!
Has anyone got this silly stream working?
Finally I get it to work...
Finally I get it to work...
Stupid RealPlayer!!! Arggh!!!!!!!
QUOTE(joolsters @ May 10 2008, 07:23 PM)
The quality of the live streaming is so poor, it is bordering pathetic...and here I was struggling to get realplayer working, only to be greeted by something that is not even of YouTube quality. Why is it not live on any BBC channel? Seriously...
I know! I thought it might be Durham not liking Realplayer, but it sounds rubbish!
Is it on anywhere? BBC interactive?
I realised it was actually my (and realplayers) imcompetence... It's working alright now, although I still stand by my point about it not being on any of the BBC channels... 
EDIT: Rachmaninov's Paganini Variations!
EDIT: Rachmaninov's Paganini Variations!
No, it took me about 6 attempts to get it to work, and I am still not sure how, and my friend can't get it either.
What did he play before this? I recognised it, but can't put my finger on it...
And do the judges do any judging tonight?
What did he play before this? I recognised it, but can't put my finger on it...
And do the judges do any judging tonight?
I didn't even have real player installed and didn't think it'd be a problem as everything else works fine through media player!
So, missed the first 20 minutes - unimpressed
Plus, the quality isn't that great and I agree, don't see why they couldn't put it on one of the other BBC channels - I mean, it's not like they couldn't have switched the programmes round <grrrr>
So, missed the first 20 minutes - unimpressed
Plus, the quality isn't that great and I agree, don't see why they couldn't put it on one of the other BBC channels - I mean, it's not like they couldn't have switched the programmes round <grrrr>
Yeh, usually they let you play it on media player.
Well, I've just seen 10 minutes of the pianist...
Well, I've just seen 10 minutes of the pianist...
YES YES YES the piano performance was great! Thank God it is working now.
Did he just play the Rach? Would that be 25 mins worth?
No, #######, a general error can't occur!
No, #######, a general error can't occur!
Yes, it's about twenty odd minutes. Very tough piece too
Ah ok I have heard it before. His 10 minutes was wonderful.
The flute is going to sound really tinny on this...
I have heard it before. His 10 minutes was wonderful.The flute is going to sound really tinny on this...
*snore*
I am leaving dinner till later to watch this too, looks like the crisps are going to make an appearance.
I am leaving dinner till later to watch this too, looks like the crisps are going to make an appearance.
I have goosebumps in anticipation about hearing the trombonist
QUOTE(Claire21 @ May 9 2008, 07:38 AM)
QUOTE(DiscoPants @ May 8 2008, 09:26 PM)
QUOTE(Claire21 @ May 8 2008, 07:37 AM)
Do you think it was ever that fair? I know someone roughly my age (30s) who entered in his youth, and he was told he was very good but not 'televisual' enough to go through to the televised rounds (ie. he's a little odd-looking).
Come on. They would never have said that to a contestant (even if it were true).
How can you be so sure? I don't see why he would make it up.
For what it's worth I suspect that the above comment id perfectly true, being liked by the camera goes a huge way to having a succesful career...Yes even in the classical music industry. Record companies love a pretty face, they look good on the Album cover and make good "Copy" for the press release dept... Just take a look at the all male singing groups that pop up from time to time, all good looking men. Kathryn Jenkins, the "Pamela Anderson" of the light classical world has made huge headway not only because she can sing but that the Camera Adores Her, the press love her and the public adore her frankly sensual appeal, lets be honest here she is very attractive...yes she can sing but she's not the greatest singer in the world and I wonder what sort of career she would have had without her stunning looks and figure...There are exceptions to the rule where sheer talent overides any physical failings..I won't name names but I am sure we can all think of a few absolute mingers who have graced the covers of CD's heavily bespectacled faces peering out at us from amongst the huge selection of the "More marketable" faces shall we say...
Sad as it is we live in a media obsessed world and a pretty face goes a long way influencing career paths, many a highly talented person has gone by the by simply because their face didn't fit....
Andrew
Don't like the trombonist's piece but I like the way he presented it though
Looks like it's the guitarist next. Oooo, Rodrigo
Looks like it's the guitarist next. Oooo, Rodrigo
I thought the trombonists piece was a bit boring 
*tries to connect to it again*
Yeh, it didn't wow me as much really. But I am not sure whether that was because it was the piece, my speakers or both.
Oooohh, I love this piece
Yeh, it didn't wow me as much really. But I am not sure whether that was because it was the piece, my speakers or both.
Oooohh, I love this piece
Hmmm I fell asleep during the trombonists performance, dont think the piece was great so hard to do it justice to show what he could really offer. The guitarist is amazing so far...!
Nicki - its a shame you cant get it to work! Ive had it on since the very start, picture isnt great but connect a pair of headphones to the laptop and audio quality is excellent.
Nicki - its a shame you cant get it to work! Ive had it on since the very start, picture isnt great but connect a pair of headphones to the laptop and audio quality is excellent.
It going to take something to match the guitarist's performance!
QUOTE(sags_3 @ May 10 2008, 08:11 PM)
Hmmm I fell asleep during the trombonists performance, dont think the piece was great so hard to do it justice to show what he could really offer. The guitarist is amazing so far...!
Nicki - its a shame you cant get it to work! Ive had it on since the very start, picture isnt great but connect a pair of headphones to the laptop and audio quality is excellent.
I've got it working now. I missed half of the pianist, and it keeps stopping, but it connects quite quickly. I've tried it connected to speakers, via my laptop speakers also, but I might put headphones in when it comes back from its interval.
I've just bought some chocolate (Lindt) to eat whilst I watch this, but it's quite warm so it's really flexible
I have a party to go to, but wont leave until I hear the flautist! I bet it will be the percussionist next as well........
Is this competition international? I know the guitarist was born here but he lives in Norway.....So does that mean British citizens can enter, or can anyone?
Is this competition international? I know the guitarist was born here but he lives in Norway.....So does that mean British citizens can enter, or can anyone?
I thought all of them so far were great!
I wonder what the Flautist's going to play...
I wonder what the Flautist's going to play...
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