Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has shared a message of support for the Leeds International Piano Competition, stating the event combines two of his personal passions—his love for the city of Leeds and his lifelong appreciation for music.
In his message, included in the programme for the 11-day event, Sir Keir reflected on how music has shaped his life, providing him with “confidence to perform” and teaching him “so much about culture and creativity.”
The competition, which kicked off yesterday, features 24 pianists aged between 20 and 29 competing across Leeds and Bradford.
In his programme message, Sir Keir, who learned to play the flute, piano, and violin as a child, expressed his deep connection to the competition. “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,” he wrote.
He went on to describe how music has the power to move people, stating, “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.” For Sir Keir, the piano holds a special place in that experience, particularly Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 5, which he noted as having a personal significance, as it was the entrance music at his wedding to his wife, Victoria.
Sir Keir, who graduated from the University of Leeds in 1985 with a law degree, also reminisced about his own musical journey. “I was fortunate to grow up studying music, learning the flute at the Guildhall in London. It offered me incredible opportunities, gave me the confidence to perform, and taught me so much about culture and creativity,” he said.
He emphasized the importance of making music accessible to everyone, noting, “Above all, it made me believe that music was something for me. I want that same belief for everyone.”
As Prime Minister, Sir Keir is committed to prioritizing creativity in education. “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—a lifelong passion of this competition’s founder, the late Dame Fanny Waterman,” he wrote. He also expressed his dedication to celebrating British art and culture, both for its economic contributions and its impact on personal development.
In a previous interview with Classic FM, Sir Keir revealed that the flute was the instrument he played best, though he also performed on the violin and piano. He spoke fondly of his time playing in orchestras and quartets.
In his closing remarks, Sir Keir celebrated the enduring legacy of the Leeds International Piano Competition. “More than 60 years since its inception, once again this competition will launch and nurture the careers of the next generation of the world’s greatest pianists,” he said. He also highlighted the competition’s leadership in promoting environmental sustainability and gender equality in the music industry, specifically mentioning the new prize for the best performance of a work by a female composer.
He noted the significance of this year’s final being held in Bradford, strengthening the cultural ties between Leeds and Bradford and setting the stage for the 2025 UK City of Culture events.
The competition will conclude with the finals on September 20 and 21, where the top five contestants will perform concertos with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra. Audiences worldwide can watch the event via The Leeds Media Hub and the competition’s official YouTube channel, with the September 21 final also broadcast on BBC Radio 3 In Concert.
Fiona Sinclair, CEO of the Leeds International Piano Competition, expressed her excitement, stating, “Leeds has truly come alive with the sound of pianos over the last few weeks with our innovative Piano Trail Festival, and with the competition now under way, that will only increase. I wish all our competitors the best of luck and can’t wait to see them perform over the next 11 days.”
The Piano Trail Festival, held across Leeds and Bradford, has transformed public spaces into vibrant cultural venues, featuring public piano installations and performances.
