CALLING TUNE FOR LAST TIME
Last Leeds with Dame Fanny at helm under way
AS STRIPS of burnished sunlight poured through the stained glass windows, the queues snaked all the way down the Gothic staircase of the Great Hall.
Classical music fans from across all generations waited patiently to get in to watch the start of the widely-anticipated Leeds International Piano Competition 2015.
‘The Leeds’, as it is affectionately known, got underway yesterday and for the next couple of weeks the sound of artists from Beethoven and Bach to Rachmaninov and Rubinstein will drift melodically through the corridors of the impressive, Grade II-listed building in the heart of the University of Leeds campus.
It is a venue that befits such a prestigious music competition, widely regarded as one of the top piano competitions in the world.
Nearly 80 of the world’s finest young pianists from 19 different countries are taking part in this year’s competition as the judges hope to unearth another classical music superstar.
Some members of the audience who arrived in Leeds yesterday had travelled from across the North of England to watch these talented young musicians perform on stage.
Yasmin Rowe, who travelled from Manchester to watch the opening sessions, knows all about the history of ‘the Leeds’.
“It’s a very prestigious competition and I’ve followed it for a long time,” she said. “I’m a pianist myself so it’s interesting for me to come and hear people play and see how they play, I’m really looking forward to it.”
Jonathan Oliver and Melvyn Osborne travelled from Sheffield to watch the start.
For Mr Osborne, a retired medic, it was his first time at ‘the Leeds’, while for Mr Oliver, a music teacher, it was a chance to reacquaint himself with the event.
He said: “I came here 10 years ago and really enjoyed it, you’re talking about the highest quality competition.”
This year’s competition, the 18th in its history, will be the last with Dame Fanny Waterman at the helm.
Dame Fanny, who co-founded ‘the Leeds’ in 1961, announced she was stepping down last December after 52 years in charge.
Adam Gatehouse, who is taking over as joint artistic director of the competition with acclaimed pianist Paul Lewis after this year’s event, is looking forward to the performances over the coming weeks.
Speaking to The Yorkshire Post, he said: “It’s a bit like the Grand National, there’s been a real buzz here as there is on the first day of any big competition.
“There’s a sense of excitement and anticipation as the competitors walk on stage and for those taking part it’s a chance to win one of the greatest musical accolades.”
Mr Gatehouse, who is among the jurors at this year’s competition, also paid tribute to Dame Fanny’s influence and the legacy she has created.
“The competition has the hallmark of Dame Fanny right across it. She is almost singlehandedly responsible for raising it to the very top. She has had some help along the way but this really is her achievement.”
The piano competition, which is held every three years in the city, is taking place at the Great Hall up until September 8.
The finals will then take place at Leeds Town Hall on September 11 and 12, with a gala finale on September 13.
This year, to coincide with ‘the Leeds’, Chinese superstar pianist Lang Lang and the 2012 competition winner Federico Colli are performing at Leeds Town Hall on September 9.