BBC Young Musician 2022: Inspiring blind Falkirk pianist Ethan Loch takes part in grand final

Teenage Falkirk pianist, Ethan Loch, who has been blind since birth, took part in last night’s grand final of the BBC Young Musician 2022.

Ethan Loch, 18, won Thursday’s keyboard category final of the prestigious contest and progressed to the final which was broadcast on BBC Four and BBC Radio 3.

The eventual winner was percussionist Jordan Ashman, 18, from Cambridgeshire.

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Anna Lapwood, who is director of music at Pembroke College, Cambridge and chaired the judging panel, said: "All five finalists demonstrated a bravery and commitment to excellence that was incredibly moving."

Ethan Loch, 18,  - blind from birth - took part in the final of BBC Young Musician 2022. Pic: BBC Young MusicianEthan Loch, 18,  - blind from birth - took part in the final of BBC Young Musician 2022. Pic: BBC Young Musician
Ethan Loch, 18, - blind from birth - took part in the final of BBC Young Musician 2022. Pic: BBC Young Musician

Born with a genetic condition that affected his sight, Ethan grew up in Dennyloanhead, and had his first piano lesson aged four, with his mother, Larinda.

His exceptional talent was quickly recognised and as well as being invited to play at major venues around the world, he has also received international awards.

Ethan was in a radio documentary aired by the BBC, ‘Batman and Ethan’, which focused on the freedom a blind child can experience through working with renowned teacher Daniel Kish.

He has also previously appeared in the BBC’s The One Show and Little Big Shots on ITV.

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A former pupil of St Mary’s Music School in Edinburgh, he now studies at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in Glasgow.

When he was unable to perform to live audiences during lockdown, Ethan, who is also a talented composer, decided to do weekly online concerts.

Filmed by his dad, Fraser, the virtual shows proved popular, with a number of the performances helping to raise funds for The Amber Trust whose work provides musical opportunities for blind and partially sighted children.

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The keyboard final was recorded in early July at Saffron Hall in Saffron Walden, Essex, where the other finalists were pianists Dida Condria, 19, Duru Erdogan, 18, Firoze Madon, 18, and Jacky Zhang, 14.

The panel of judges included pianist and composer Tom Poster and pianist and BBC Young Musician 1992 finalist Daniel Tong.

During the interview as part of the category final, Ethan talked movingly about always being attracted to sounds: from the whirring of a washing machine to the engine starting – and how this interest simply evolved into a deep love for music, and for the piano in particular, playing which he feels he can fully express himself.

Also in the grand final were viola player Jaren Ziegler, flautist Sofía Patterson-Gutiérrez and trumpeter Sasha Canter.

The BBC Young Musician grand final, recorded at Manchester’s Bridgewater Hall on September 29, is scheduled for broadcast on BBC Four and BBC Radio 3 this Sunday, October 9, with a presenting team featuring Jess Gillam, Alexis Ffrench and BBC Young Musician regular Josie d’Arby.

Each finalist performed a concerto with the BBC Philharmonic conducted by Mark Wigglesworth in front of the expert jury.

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