The recipient of AYM’s 2015 Richard Toeman Memorial Award for young pianists, 16-year old Julian from St Albans – a student of Aldeburgh Young Musicians –  has become the youngest-ever winner of the prestigious Long Thibaud Piano competition in Paris.

From an initial, international line-up of over 40 pianists, Julian was the youngest by some years. One of the judging panel commented “He was astonishing! An extraordinary musician.”

He beat 44 candidates from 14 nationalities, winning second prize (the first prize was not awarded this year, as is often the case) and, with Bartok’s Piano Concerto No.3, Julian also won the Prince Albert II of Monaco prize for best concerto performance.

Earlier this year, Julian also gained the Grand Prize of the “Concours Festival” Competition in Paris, for modern piano repertoire; and, in May both the 2nd and the Moscari Prize, in the Île-de-France piano Competition.

Before Julian set off for the competition, AYM arranged an opportunity for him to perform some of his prepared repertoire at a private event attended by AYM Angels.

Congratulations Julian on such an incredible achievement!