The Arts Club in London hosted the final stage of its inaugural Classical Music Award last night (June 2) in collaboration with Decca Records. Bartholomew LaFollette took first place worth £5000 and an opportunity to perform for the Yellow Lounge classical club series. Launched professionally by the Young Classical Artists Trust (YCAT) in 2007, the young cellist has made successful debuts across the UK, with performances at Wigmore Hall, the Barbican and the Royal Festival Hall.

LaFollette performed alongside three fellow finalists to compete for the winning title - Ksenija Sidorova (accordion), Viviana Lasaracina (piano) and Rebeca Omordia (piano). On the panel of judges were executive producer from Decca Classics, Alexander Van Ingen; James Williams from the Philharmonia Orchestra; composer Gabriel Prokofiev; and bassist Chi-chi Nwanoku.
 
The Arts Club and Decca Records have joined forces ‘to not only provide a prominent platform for nurturing and supporting young musicians but to also identify the most exciting young classical talent in Britain’.