British pianist Julian Trevelyan has defied the odds to become the only British finalist in the prestigious Leeds International Piano Competition. Trevelyan, who was given a last-minute entry to the competition, beat out 60 other musicians to secure his spot in the grand final.
The 25-year-old from St Albans had initially failed to win a place in the selection rounds earlier this year. However, a stroke of luck came his way when he was on his honeymoon in France and received an email asking him to fill in for a contestant who had dropped out due to visa issues.
Despite only having two weeks to prepare four hours of music, Trevelyan is thrilled to be competing in the final. He views the competition as an opportunity to showcase his talent to a home audience and gain exposure, rather than solely focusing on winning the £30,000 prize.
Trevelyan’s journey to the final has been marked by his passion for music and his desire to touch people’s hearts through his performances. He will be competing against international pianists in the final, playing Bartók’s Concerto No.3 accompanied by the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra.
The finals of the Leeds International Piano Competition will take place on Friday 20 and Saturday 21 September, with highlights broadcast on BBC Radio 3. This year, the competition will be held at the historic St George’s Hall in Bradford, as Leeds Town Hall undergoes renovation.
