All three finalists were awesome. But Laura had something special. I loved her performance of this. I'd never heard before but now that I have, it's totally gripped me. I'm listening to the other versions of it. Thank you Laura, and what a genius Walton was.
Amazing performance and understanding of this marvelous and different music world. This Walton Composition is very well aware of all the cello possibilities. The Soloist is so beautiful and very well positioned to play the cello with force and tenderness at the same time...I love this piece. She is keeping the tonerow with a unusual mastery. It is a diamond to my music understanding...thank yuou very so much Mr. Walton and thank you so much to this wonderful cellist ...Thank you very so much!!!
I was fortunate enough to be in the audience for this brilliant final. I can honestly say that Yuanfan had us all open-mouthed at his brilliance but Laura the Cellist had us absolutely spell bound. A close call but I think Laura's personality helped the judges as she appeared to be totally in control even when interviewed, no doubt extremely important when starting a career.
What a shame that there should be such negative comments on this page when all three finalists were so outstanding. I saw nothing but an utterly sincere and deeply felt performance from Laura. It's unfortunate that her focus and calm seem to have been mistaken for arrogance or smugness. I've played cello for 40 years and she is one of the most musical exponents of the instrument I've ever heard. Astonishing maturity already - I very much look forward to seeing how she develops further.
I saw this final live (on TV) and she blew everyone away. I disagree with other commentators that she lacked emotional depth. It moved me at the time and still does on reviewing. I didn't know the piece before and thought she made a somewhat awkward and unconvincing composition really work. I subsequently looked for other performances by professionals (can't recall what I found 4 years later) and was profoundly disappointed because frankly none of them worked/made anything of the piece, so much so that one would dismiss it as a composition of one hadn't heard Laura's interpretation. I didn't acquire a recording, and I've heard it performed by someone else since on Radio 3 and again it just didn't work. So extra kudos to Laura and her teacher for very successfully making a silk purse out of a sow's ear!
This is one of the rare performances I remember. I was also watching it live and could not believe my eyes. Today, I'm composing for Cello and still remember her which is how I came to be on this video today.
I think Laura won because she has the elusive 'extra' quality the judges said they were looking for all along - the ability to communicate something special. To hold the audience spellbound with the Walton concerto which few of them had heard before is a rare achievement. As for the suggestion that she is smug or pleased with herself, that is a joke. I have met her a few times (my daughter goes to the same school) and she is a very down-to-earth and likeable person.
I met her today. She's playing this at a concert near where I live tonight and I was able to ask her some questions. I've always wandered how they don't seem nervous when they play, but she says she does get very nervous and when she plays, she tries to focus on something else, like her boyfriend or something. She's amazing
I knew from when I first heard Laura that she would at least make the final, she has a fantastic technique, an amazing ability to lift the music from off the page, and that essential connection with the audience that she establishes right from the word go! This girl's going to go a long way, might even go as far as to say she could be another Jackie du Pre!
@@mickeypip1524 Ehat reason do you have for such a cynical comment? Remember she was only 15 at the time of the competition, and reacting with such derision to the professional opinion of a fellow musician is idiotic.
Francis is right: all 3 were awesome, but Laura has the extra indefinable, but recognisable star quality. That was aready clear in the string finals, where the other 2 girls were also excellent but outshone by her. Important to recognise that many others were just wonderful ........
Wow, just reading the comments, all so positive and supportive. Is this youtube? have I slipped into a parallel universe unawares, where all the bitter, envious ne'er-do-wells keep their opinions to themselves?
somebody knows what is the cello she plays? Italian , German? so similar to my own! sweet girl, but plays very good, so she can look like Cinderella even and it doesn't disturb.
I think it's a bit unfair to say she's "pretentiously exaggerating" her expressions. To me it looks like she's just really absorbed in the music. No, perhaps this isn't technically perfect, but then neither was Yuanfan, and the competition is called "Young Musician" not "Young Technical Prodigy". As a performance, I thought Laura was just more convincing, and deserved the title. That Yuanfan didn't win doesn't really matter; the exposure he's got from this means he'll go far anyway.
I didn’t like this piece then and I still don’t. Having said that, the way Laura plays and transients the music to the audience is an act of magic. Laura is not a great cello player, she is a genuine virtuoso. Tumbs up!
Very good playing, but there's no sense of the haunting character, the wistfulness that the first movement should evoke. Very straightforward and matter-of-fact. Perfect cello playing, but...
+PTCello I listened to a program on BBC Radio 3 comparing recordings of this piece- perhaps you would find something more to your taste. In Heijden's defense, she was around 14/15.
+TheMusicZone excellent playing. I certainly didn't say otherwise. But yes it is immature. Her age might explain it. If she continues, perhaps she can revisit this piece in time. Ralph Kirschbaum is the finest recording, followed closely by Piatagorsky, and with Wallfisch and Weber at the bottom of the available performances.
PTCello Sounds like you listened to that Radio 3 program, then, because those are the recommended recordings. She still plays- I am going to see her this Saturday! I don't know too much about Walton, as I prefer Baroque music, but I still admired her performance.
+TheMusicZone please don't think I am folding her or denigrating her, she is an excellent young cellist and all she needs is life experience. I was merely commenting that she is not there yet. I did not know how young she was, or I would've been less forward. George Bernard Shaw I had a wonderful sidenote in review and he gave of a young violinist back in the 1880s or so. He said, and I paraphrase, "having become a violinist, he must now become a man."
All three finalists were awesome. But Laura had something special. I loved her performance of this. I'd never heard before but now that I have, it's totally gripped me. I'm listening to the other versions of it. Thank you Laura, and what a genius Walton was.
Amazing performance and understanding of this marvelous and different music world. This Walton Composition is very well aware of all the cello possibilities.
The Soloist is so beautiful and very well positioned to play the cello with force and tenderness at the same time...I love this piece.
She is keeping the tonerow with a unusual mastery. It is a diamond to my music understanding...thank yuou very so much Mr. Walton and thank you so much to this wonderful cellist ...Thank you very so much!!!
I was fortunate enough to be in the audience for this brilliant final. I can honestly say that Yuanfan had us all open-mouthed at his brilliance but Laura the Cellist had us absolutely spell bound. A close call but I think Laura's personality helped the judges as she appeared to be totally in control even when interviewed, no doubt extremely important when starting a career.
Absolutely Beautiful !!
I've always had a soft spot for Cello :) and this lovely little girl makes it sing like an angel.
Well deserved win !
I can't stop myself watching it over and over again. So charming. :D
What a shame that there should be such negative comments on this page when all three finalists were so outstanding. I saw nothing but an utterly sincere and deeply felt performance from Laura. It's unfortunate that her focus and calm seem to have been mistaken for arrogance or smugness. I've played cello for 40 years and she is one of the most musical exponents of the instrument I've ever heard. Astonishing maturity already - I very much look forward to seeing how she develops further.
I don't see any smugness or arrogance here. She is clearly in the moment, and her level of artistry at this age is astounding.
I saw this final live (on TV) and she blew everyone away. I disagree with other commentators that she lacked emotional depth. It moved me at the time and still does on reviewing. I didn't know the piece before and thought she made a somewhat awkward and unconvincing composition really work. I subsequently looked for other performances by professionals (can't recall what I found 4 years later) and was profoundly disappointed because frankly none of them worked/made anything of the piece, so much so that one would dismiss it as a composition of one hadn't heard Laura's interpretation. I didn't acquire a recording, and I've heard it performed by someone else since on Radio 3 and again it just didn't work. So extra kudos to Laura and her teacher for very successfully making a silk purse out of a sow's ear!
This is one of the rare performances I remember. I was also watching it live and could not believe my eyes. Today, I'm composing for Cello and still remember her which is how I came to be on this video today.
This is a great piece of music, nothing awkward about it.. Have you listened to Isserlis' recording?
I think Laura won because she has the elusive 'extra' quality the judges said they were looking for all along - the ability to communicate something special. To hold the audience spellbound with the Walton concerto which few of them had heard before is a rare achievement. As for the suggestion that she is smug or pleased with herself, that is a joke. I have met her a few times (my daughter goes to the same school) and she is a very down-to-earth and likeable person.
Smug? During all her interviews she was respectful. I particularly admired her respect for her teacher.
The ‘smug’ comment I was disagreeing with seems to have disappeared now - but it was here 9 years ago (!).
This is such an interesting piece, and I love this girl's take on it. The way she expresses the notes is sublime.
Laura!!!!!!!! You are really AMAZING!!!!
How beautiful!
I remember watching this on television, and I think we knew that Laura van der Heijden was going to win.
Great performance!
WoW! Congratulations Ms. Laura!
Stunning musician
I met her today. She's playing this at a concert near where I live tonight and I was able to ask her some questions. I've always wandered how they don't seem nervous when they play, but she says she does get very nervous and when she plays, she tries to focus on something else, like her boyfriend or something. She's amazing
I knew from when I first heard Laura that she would at least make the final, she has a fantastic technique, an amazing ability to lift the music from off the page, and that essential connection with the audience that she establishes right from the word go! This girl's going to go a long way, might even go as far as to say she could be another Jackie du Pre!
Don’t be stupid...she is a Diva with connections!
@@mickeypip1524 Ehat reason do you have for such a cynical comment? Remember she was only 15 at the time of the competition, and reacting with such derision to the professional opinion of a fellow musician is idiotic.
Lovely!
Francis is right: all 3 were awesome, but Laura has the extra indefinable, but recognisable star quality. That was aready clear in the string finals, where the other 2 girls were also excellent but outshone by her. Important to recognise that many others were just wonderful ........
Great composer!! Great cellist!!
Singing to me, beautiful, singing singing singing
Well done!!!!
Bravo!
Wow, just reading the comments, all so positive and supportive. Is this youtube? have I slipped into a parallel universe unawares, where all the bitter, envious ne'er-do-wells keep their opinions to themselves?
klasse.
nothing showy about this girl, great respect and connection to the music
Beautifull maitrise Perect Sound!! Genial!
Beautiful. In more ways than one
The cello she plays ATM is actually her teacher's and it's Italian
The best part is the mouse curser
somebody knows what is the cello she plays? Italian , German? so similar to my own!
sweet girl, but plays very good, so she can look like Cinderella even and it doesn't disturb.
I think it's a bit unfair to say she's "pretentiously exaggerating" her expressions. To me it looks like she's just really absorbed in the music. No, perhaps this isn't technically perfect, but then neither was Yuanfan, and the competition is called "Young Musician" not "Young Technical Prodigy". As a performance, I thought Laura was just more convincing, and deserved the title. That Yuanfan didn't win doesn't really matter; the exposure he's got from this means he'll go far anyway.
I though the piano player would win but I suppose she is just 14 and deserves it.
eeeeeeee solnyshko!!!!!!!
I didn’t like this piece then and I still don’t. Having said that, the way Laura plays and transients the music to the audience is an act of magic. Laura is not a great cello player, she is a genuine virtuoso. Tumbs up!
After 7 years do you still dislike it? If so why? cause i like it
@@oldbird4601 I wasn't into Walton when I watched this, but after hearing his Viola Concerto, I have become more interested in his works.
Nah... pianist had no personality at all! Amazing player but just like a machine... This girl was brilliant!
We had the same impression of the pianist.
Very good playing, but there's no sense of the haunting character, the wistfulness that the first movement should evoke.
Very straightforward and matter-of-fact.
Perfect cello playing, but...
+PTCello I listened to a program on BBC Radio 3 comparing recordings of this piece- perhaps you would find something more to your taste. In Heijden's defense, she was around 14/15.
+TheMusicZone excellent playing. I certainly didn't say otherwise. But yes it is immature. Her age might explain it. If she continues, perhaps she can revisit this piece in time.
Ralph Kirschbaum is the finest recording, followed closely by Piatagorsky, and with Wallfisch and Weber at the bottom of the available performances.
PTCello Sounds like you listened to that Radio 3 program, then, because those are the recommended recordings. She still plays- I am going to see her this Saturday! I don't know too much about Walton, as I prefer Baroque music, but I still admired her performance.
+TheMusicZone please don't think I am folding her or denigrating her, she is an excellent young cellist and all she needs is life experience. I was merely commenting that she is not there yet. I did not know how young she was, or I would've been less forward.
George Bernard Shaw I had a wonderful sidenote in review and he gave of a young violinist back in the 1880s or so. He said, and I paraphrase, "having become a violinist, he must now become a man."
+PTCello "...faulting her."
That was a typo