🎶 BBC Young Musician of the Year 2026

I watched with growing admiration for all the performers. Every single one of them was exceptionally talented or they would not have been in the programme.

I was intrigued by the flying fingers of the accordionist and the harmonica player who instrument sounded strangely like a violin at times.

The pianists were all so talented that it came down to whether I liked the piece they were playing rather than their expertise as to how much I enjoyed their playing. The same could be said for all the other players.

All the young musicians displayed complete control of their instruments whether brass, woodwind, strings or keyboard and the harmonica of course. I have no idea how the judges are going to choose.

It was wonderful and inspirational .

Thanks ixiom. I wasn't aware it's on. I really enjoy this competition.

I so want more of this - I felt frustrated by the small excerpts from each player - why not just broadcast the whole thing? - so many people who would love this.

I am going to the live final - which is on 15th October, so I will have to zip the lip for a few weeks before it is broadcast in November! I went to the last live final where two of the finalists were pianists and both played the same concerto - not ideal for the listener.

Proms have gone the same way - selected bit and compilations broadcast.

There are people around who can cope with a long classical music broadcast that might disrupt the schedule a bit! - it happens for sport.