Last-minute entrant makes final of Leeds Piano Competition

Classical music fans may know that Bartók wrote the concerto during the final months of his life, as a surprise birthday present for his second wife Ditta Pásztory-Bartók.

Did that backstory contribute to his decision to play it at Leeds, given that he had to cut short his honeymoon?

“Yes, somewhat,” he laughs. “Although hopefully I won’t die like Bartok did before he got to play it.”

And, he adds, his wife is behind him all the way.

“Luckily enough, the competition called two days before the end of the honeymoon, so we’d already had a good time.

“And there was an excitement that I’m going to Leeds, because I’ve been talking about it a lot to her. She’s very happy that I’m here.”

The finals of the piano competition take place on Friday 20 and Saturday 21 September, with highlights broadcast on BBC Radio 3.

For the first time, the contest will be held at the historic St George’s Hall in Bradford, while Leeds Town Hall undergoes renovation.