Strings Final Highlights

BBC Young Musician returns to BBC Four, showcasing the most outstanding young classical talent from across the UK. From Sunday to Thursday this week, we will bring you highlights from the five category finals in strings, woodwind, brass, percussion and keyboard. The winners of each will secure a place in the competition’s grand final, which will be broadcast in full on BBC Four on Sunday 9 October.

Presented by saxophonist Jess Gillam, herself a BBC Young Musician finalist, and pianist and composer Alexis Ffrench, the category finals were filmed at the award-winning concert venue, Saffron Hall.

The series begins with the strings final and features violinists Aki Blendis (14), Dawid Kasprzak (16), Edward Walton (16), Clara-Sophia Wernig (16), and viola player Jaren Ziegler (16).

Tonight’s jury includes violinist Jennifer Pike, who made history 20 years ago by becoming the youngest winner of BBC Young Musician, aged just 12, and Philip Dukes, a viola player whose career has spanned over 30 years, including performances at the BBC Proms and an extensive recording history. Chairing the Young Musician jury across the series is organist, conductor, broadcaster and director of music at Pembroke College, Cambridge, Anna Lapwood.