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 The 24-year-old is taking part
in the Leeds International Piano Competition,
hoping to win over a jury that will see his
performance by video.
Held every three years, The Leeds has had to
change its processes due to the COVID-19
pandemic, with no live jury or audience watching
the pianists compete for the career-making prize
package.
"I thought it might be a bit challenging at
first, but once I started playing, I just forgot
about everything," the Edinburgh-born musician
said. "It was just literally just me and the
music."
With travel restrictions in place, The Leeds
invited some 60 competitors from around the
world to its virtual first round held in 17
different cities.
From one competitor in Miami to 14 in Berlin,
they all performed their 25-minute recitals
under the same conditions: playing on a Steinway
Model D grand piano and with identical camera
set ups.
"We realised very quickly that we couldn't do it
in the way which we would love to do it ... with
an audience and the jury present," Adam
Gatehouse, The Leeds artistic director, told
Reuters.
"Clearly we were not going to be able to travel
a jury from London to Berlin to wherever all
around the world so we will watch the videos at
home online and judge them in that way."
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 First held in 1963, The Leeds
offers its winner a recording and management
deal, recitals at London's Wigmore Hall and
international tours. "Up until
the last minute I thought (The Leeds) would be
cancelled," Italian pianist Giulia Contaldo, who
practiced playing in front of a cameraman before
the competition, said.
"So many of my colleagues don’t have this
opportunity, or don’t have any opportunities at
the moment. So whatever happens, I am grateful."
While the first round is virtual, organisers
plan to hold the second round, semi-final and
final in Leeds, northern England, in September,
hopefully with a live audience.
"It's not only about the music itself but it's
also about the people in the hall and that is
how it's supposed to be," Israeli competitor
Ariel Lanyi said.
(Reporting by Sarah Mills; Additional reporting
by Marie-Louise Gumuchian; Writing by
Marie-Louise Gumuchian; Editing by Alison
Williams)
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