The Finals: Part 1
The first of two live concerts from Leeds Town Hall featuring each night three of six young competitors out of a total entry of nearly 100 from all over the world.
Each finalist will play a complete concerto with orchestra to a distinguished jury including such well-known pianists as Nina Milkina, Victoria Postnikova, Peter Frankl, Hans Graf, Bela Siki and Abbey Simon.
First prize is £2,000 and a Steinway grand piano, but this is insignificant compared with the opportunities offered to appear on the concert platforms of the world.
Previous winners are Michael Roll, Rafael Orozco, Radu Lupu, Murray Perahia, Dmitri Alexeev and Michel Dalberto. All are now internationally established concert pianists.
Who will this year's winner be?
Tonight and tomorrow compare your judgment of musicianship, artistry and technique with that of the jury and BBC commentators Richard Baker and Bernard Keeffe. The final results will be announced tomorrow night.
Chairman of the Jury The Rt Hon Lord Boyle of Handsworth
Competition Joint Chairmen Mrs Jeremy Thorpe and Miss Fanny Waterman
Philharmonia Orchestra leader CHRISTOPHER WARREN-GREEN conducted by Sir Charles Groves
Assistant producer ANITA CRUM Director ROY TIPPING
Producer KENNETH CORDEN
(Competition given in association with Harveys of Bristol)