Borletti-Buitoni Trust celebrates 10th anniversary with live debate

Mitsuko Uchida will open the Borletti-Buitoni Trust's 10th anniversary debate (photo: Richard Avedon)

The Borletti-Buitoni Trust is celebrating a decade of support and award-giving to young musicians with a three-day event at the Southbank Centre, running from May 17-19. Artists including Jonathan Biss, Alina Ibragimova, Antoine Tamestit, Nicolas Altstaedt, Martin Fröst, Colin Currie, Christianne Stotijn, the Elias String Quartet and Quatuor Ebène will gather for three concerts led by founding trustee Mitsuko Uchida, plus free daytime and late evening events.

At the heart of the celebrations will be a debate entitled ‘Is Talent Enough?’, held on May 18. Uchida will open the discussion by outlining what she believes to constitute real talent in a pre-recorded film. The topic will then be considered by a panel of leading arts professionals, including percussionist Colin Currie, writer and broadcaster Tom Service, Wigmore Hall’s John Gilhooly, Decca’s Paul Moseley, artist manager Sonia Simmenauer and international arts consultant Martijn Sanders. There will also be the opportunity for questions and comment from the audience.

The discussion is designed to highlight the obstacles faced by young artists when building and sustaining a career. A number of questions will be on the agenda: Is it idealistic to think talent and hard work are all it takes? Are recording and commissioning needs or indulgences? Is social networking a necessity or a distraction? How important is the cult of celebrity?

Watch Mitsuko Uchida’s opening video for the debate exclusively on the Gramophone Player below:

For full details of the Borletti-Buitoni Trust 10th anniversary events visit the Southbank Centre website.