Pianist Sophie Cashell from Ireland has been crowned the winner of BBC Two’s Classical Star series.

Sophie beat bassoonist Karen Geoghegan and guitarist Ian Watt to the title and has secured the prize of a recording contract with top label Universal Classics and Jazz.

The judges Charles Hazlewood, Chi-chi Nwanoku, Steve Abbott and Jason Lai had to review the three candidates as they performed at LSO St Luke’s alongside the 40-piece City of London Sinfonia Orchestra. Read more & comment »

It’s an all Celt final for BBC Two’s Classical Star, with two Scots and an Irish youngster competing to win the title, it was revealed at the end of the penultimate episode on Tuesday 6 November.

Bassoonist Karen Geoghegan and guitarist Ian Watt from Scotland, along with Irish pianist Sophie Cashell have been selected by the judges to compete in the final.

The final takes place at the prestigious LSO St Luke’s, where they will be accompanied by a 40-piece orchestra, the City of London Sinfonia.

For one of these exceptional young musicians, the opportunity of a lifetime is just one step away.

To win a recording contract with top label Universal Classics and Jazz, they will have to impress the judges: conductor Charles Hazlewood; double bassist Chi-chi Nwanoku; artist manager Steve Abbott and conductor Jason Lai. There is nothing more their Music Director and mentor Matthew Barley can do to help them. Read more & comment »

The final nine classical musicians have been selected to attend the Classical Star Music Academy, it was revealed last night (Tuesday 16 October) at the end of the first episode of BBC Two’s exciting new series Classical Star.

For one exceptional young musician, the opportunity of a lifetime is one step nearer, as the judges: Charles Hazlewood, Chi-chi Nwanoku; Steve Abbott and Jason Lai revealed the nine contestants selected to attend the Music Academy under the watchful eye of Classical Star Music Director Matthew Barley.

They are:

* Danielle Audley-Wiltshier
* Sophie Cashell
* Karen Geoghegan
* Victoria Goldsmith
* Emily Hooker
* Ben MacDougall
* Tyler Rix
* Jeanine Thorpe
* Ian Watt

One of these talented youngsters will win a top record deal with Universal Classics and Jazz, and the chance to launch their dream career. Read more & comment »

The hunt for Britain’s next classical music superstar is on and, for one exceptional young musician, the opportunity of a lifetime is within reach. The winner of BBC Two’s Classical Star will win a top record deal and the chance to launch their dream career.

Acclaimed musician and Classical Star Musical Director, Matthew Barley, is searching for a top-class performer who has the ability to broaden the appeal of classical music. Aged between 12 and 19, and already at least grade 8 in their chosen instrument, the winner must have that extra-special something to impress the prestigious judging panel.

Through nationwide auditions, 18 candidates have been shortlisted but only the best nine candidates will be selected to attend the Music Academy, where Barley has developed a rigorous and demanding three-week schedule. Read more & comment »

Academy Music Director – Matthew Barley
Cellist Matthew Barley trained at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and the Moscow Conservatoire, and his activities in performance, improvisation, cross-disciplinary projects, composition and pioneering community programmes soon developed to form a unique international career.

Matthew’s musical world has virtually no geographical, social or stylistic boundaries and he lives and breathes music education, making him the ideal choice as Music Director for the academy. Read more & comment »

Thirty-three-year-old conductor Jason Lai won the BBC’s Young Conductors Workshop in February 2002 and has conducted some of the world’s top orchestras including the BBC Philharmonic, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, English Touring Opera, London Sinfonietta and the BBC Singers.

Jason started his musical studies at the age of 12 when he took cello, piano and composition lessons, which continued with the help of a scholarship at Chetham’s School of Music in Manchester. Read more & comment »

At the age of seven, Chi-chi Nwanoku discovered music on a neighbour’s piano and was so inspired by its sounds and possibilities that she began her education as a classical musician. She played piano and took up double bass at 18, after an injury ruled out her other passion – athletics.

Chi-chi studied at the Royal Academy of Music, in London, and has become one of England’s most sought-after double bassists – developing a worldwide reputation as one of the finest exponents on her instrument today. Read more & comment »

One of the most prolific and dynamic musicians of his generation, Charles Hazlewood is Principal Guest Conductor of the BBC Concert Orchestra and conducts many of the great orchestras in the UK and around the world.

He has authored and conducted the music in several groundbreaking films including Vivaldi Unmasked (BBC One), The Genius Of Mozart (BBC Two and BBC Four), Beethoven (BBC Two and BBC Four) and Tchaikovsky (BBC Two and BBC Four). Charles also presents a weekly show on BBC Radio 3, Charles Hazlewood Discovering Music. Read more & comment »

Steve is MD of Bedlam Artist Management, originally formed in 1988 to represent artists’ recording, performing and business careers and then reformed in 2003.

He manages young New Zealand soprano Hayley Westenra, violinist Nicola Benedetti and pianist Lang Lang and produces top-selling albums – recent successes of note include The Choirboys (320,000 UK sales) and All Angels (250,000 UK sales).

Steve began his career as a singer in a punk band with which he toured the world, released two albums, five singles and achieved three No. 1 records in the UK and two in the US. He then changed track to classical guitar and made a name for himself composing music for theatre and television. Read more & comment »

A Fame Acdemy for classical musicians, will be coming to BBC Two later this year.

The show will see young people aged 14 to 19 battle it out to win a prestigious recording contract.

Show boss John Silver said: “The kids are all virtuoso performers and will be judged on their musicianship.

“We’re also looking for someone who can be a soloist and appear on the cover of CDs.”