A young Dubliner, Finghin Collins (19), was one of 12 pianists to take part in the semifinal of the 1996 Leeds International Piano Competition last night. There were 260 entrants from all over the world participating in the competition, which is held in Leeds every three years and is regarded as one of the world's great piano competitions.
Six of those who played last night were chosen to proceed to the final round to perform a concerto with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Sir Simon Rattle.
Finghin Collins is a student of John O'Connor's at the Royal Irish Academy of Music, where he is beginning his second year of the BA in Music Performance degree.
Last night he played music by Bach, Field, Chopin, Scriabin and Berg in front of an international jury of distinguished musicians.