Sir Keir Starmer enters the Leeds Piano Competition

The prime minister has offered a tribute to the contest, presently under way. He writes:

The Leeds combines two of my greatest loves: the city that absolutely formed me when I came here as a student; and the joy and discovery of music that changed my life. Everyone involved in this competition will know what I mean when I talk about that experience of being truly moved by a piece of music – of losing yourself and finding something new in the space that artistry creates. The piano does that like no other instrument. Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 5, in particular, never fails to take me to that state. Although that may also be because my wife chose it as her entrance music for our wedding!”

[Music] gave me the confidence to perform, and taught me so much about culture and creativity. Above all, it made me believe that music was something for me. I want that same belief for everyone. So as Prime Minister I am determined to put creativity at the heart of our school curriculum and ensure that every young person has access to music and all the arts – something I know was a lifelong passion of this competition’s long-time Founder, Chair and Artistic Director, the late Dame Fanny Waterman.

That is fulsome. We have hardly ever read such words on classical music from a Conservative prime minister, not since John Major in the 1990s.

Thanks, Sir Keir. (You can keep my winter fuel payment.)

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