28 November 2024
|
Celebrating 40 Years of Broughton Pianos
By Freddie Miller
This year marked a milestone for Broughton Pianos as we celebrated 40 years of service. To commemorate this special occasion, we hosted our very first Junior Piano Competition.
Located in the tranquil countryside village of Belbroughton, our showroom displays over 150 pianos and was the perfect space for the competition.
The competition prizes reflect our commitment to supporting music education and nurturing young pianists across the UK. This is why, in addition to generous prize money, the competition awarded a brand-new Danemann upright piano to the winner’s school or piano teacher.
The competition received an overwhelming response from talented young pianists across the UK. Narrowing it down to just 10 finalists was no easy task.
The final round showcased the exceptional talent of all 10 finalists, making the judges’ decision remarkably difficult. Every competitor shone, displaying technical brilliance and artistic expression that wowed the audience.
In the end, Aleksandra Penlington took first place with her breathtaking performances of Beethoven’s Sonata Op. 31 No. 2 (Tempest, 3rd movement) and Rachmaninov’s Prelude in G Minor Op. 23 No. 5. Judge David Quigley remarked:
“The Beethoven was really tremendous, the first thing I wrote was ‘tempestuous indeed’; the character was there from the opening notes.”
David continued about Aleksandra’s Rachmaninov performance, “You play with such strength and passion, which is exactly what was needed in this music.”
Ozwold Castle secured second place with an energetic and engaging performance of three of his own compositions. David Quigley praised his performance, saying:
”‘The Wizard’ was so imperial and fantastical, and so inventive—and that’s not just talking about the composition, that’s how you played it. Your colours, your sounds, your attention to listening to what’s going on is remarkable.”
While the judges deliberated their decision, families waited anxiously. In a delightful moment of spontaneity, one contestant’s younger sibling effortlessly began playing a Chopin study on one of the showroom’s pianos. It was a touching reminder of the talent and passion that the next generation of pianists holds, hinting at the excitement of next year’s competition.
Following the overwhelming success of this inaugural event, we are thrilled to announce plans to expand the competition next year. Multiple categories will be introduced to celebrate the talents of different age groups, ensuring an even greater celebration of young pianists’ abilities.
All 10 finalists’ performances will be uploaded to the Broughton Pianos YouTube channel (@broughtonpianos) over the coming weeks. Be sure to subscribe to relive the final and experience the talent of these exceptional young pianists.
Photographs by Freddie Miller