Performer: Ray Chen

Few violin concertos soar from the first bar as Erich Korngold’s does, especially as in Ray Chen's high-wire account at the Royal Albert Hall. 

At the Seoul Arts Center, the Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra achieves a luminous balance of historically informed insight and modern orchestral splendour, delivering performances that feel at once deeply rooted and thrillingly alive.

An Usher Hall fire alarm interrupts Thomas Søndergård and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra's rendition of Dvořák’s Sixth Symphony.

The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra present a programme of Rossini, Paganini and Dvořák with Michele Mariotti conducting, but it’s Ray Chen who steals the show.

Elim Chan lead the Los Angeles Philharmonic through a high-powered program of Chinese and French music that began and ended with virtuoso showpieces written less than 30 years apart.

Chen plays a fine solo part in Bruch and delights with his encore; Orozco-Estrada and the LPO provide some good moments but fall short of their best form.

Competitions are a tangible goal for the young musician, so choose wisely, don't be disheartened and keep practising...