LIGHTS! Camera! Action! BBC Radio 3 presenters Andrew McGregor and 1996 Leeds finalist Katya Apekisheva; Medici Television’s Petroc Trelawney and 1978 Leeds Prizewinner Kathryn Stott occupy the commentary boxes. The resplendent Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, conductor Andrew Manze and a gleaming Steinway grand piano are centre stage.

The Beeb have been relaying the Leeds Finals ever since the 1966 Competition. Medici’s livestreaming of every note of Leeds 2021 has reached several million music lovers worldwide - including 800,000 in China.

There is nothing quite like the audience buzz at these Concerto Finals. The immediacy of a live broadcast creates that extra frisson of excitement in a packed Leeds Town Hall.

Many of those present had listened intently to every note played by twenty four competitors on their journey towards a coveted place in the last five. These outstanding young pianists will never play for a more knowledgeable, or a more supportive audience.

The International Jury’s awarding of prizes has always been based on performances in every round of the competition and not solely the concerto finals. Dame Imogen Cooper, eloquent Chairman of the Jury, addressed a hushed audience: “The First Prize and Dame Fanny Waterman gold medal goes to Alim Beisembayev.”

I must confess to developing, at that moment, a sneaky preference for Ariel Lanyi’s performance of the Brahms Second Piano Concerto; Kaito Kobayashi’s playing of Bartok’s Third and Thomas Kelly’s interpretation of Beethoven’s Fourth, to the Kazahkstan born winner’s reading of Rachmaninov’s Rhapsody on a Theme by Paganini.

My reaction naturally reflected performances that I had just experienced. The eminent Jury, of course, carefully considers the bigger picture. Beisembayev also secured the Medici.tv Audience Award and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Society Prize for a contemporary work - his breathtaking performance of Ligeti studies in the semi-finals.

The Competition continues to spread beyond the confines of formal indoor settings: Adam Gatehouse, artistic director of The Leeds since 2018, has aimed to create a vibrant festive atmosphere around the prestigious fortnight-long triennial event. Leeds Piano Trail animated shopping precincts and public spaces with bold contemporary sculptures and ‘pop-up’ performances given on a dozen colourful pianos. Meanwhile, pianists from far and wide were drawn to the White Swan to compete for the title of Leeds Pub Pianist of the Year.

Look back on the entire Competition at leedspiano.medici.tv