The Leeds International Piano Competition
Petroc Trelawny presents highlights from the prestigious Leeds International Piano Competition, which was founded exactly 60 years ago. This will be the first year the competition has taken place without its dynamic co-founder and president emeritus Dame Fanny Waterman, following her death in December last year at the age of 100.
Under her leadership, ‘The Leeds’ helped launch the careers of the likes of Mitsuko Uchida, Radu Lupu, Murray Perahia, András Schiff and Peter Donohoe.
The early stages of the competition were a little different this year, with ‘virtual’ auditions held in 16 countries across the world, as opposed to the usual five. Juries observed the 62 pianists remotely, with 24 competitors from 18 different countries making it through to the next rounds.
Highlights from the 20th edition of the competition will be broadcast on BBC Four this September, with programmes available to catch up on BBC iplayer throughout October.
BBC Four: dates and times tbc