Princess Diana 97's video: Rachmaninov Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini Variations 18-24 - Leeds Piano Competition 1996

Armen Babakhanian completes his highly energetic, flamboyant and compelling performance of the Paganini Rhapsody with Simon Rattle and the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. He makes a mistake in Variation XVIII but covers his tracks beautifully. Most people in the audience may not have noticed. However, the Jury decided to place him fifth out of the six finalists and not in the top three as I'm sure he would have been without the mistake. Howard Goodall commented in a section of the tape that got wiped for the Diana footage that it took emmence courage and determination to finish that piece after an embarassing moment in the spotlight. You can see a flicker of disappointment in the virtuoso's eyes when he finally finishes. This is one of my favourite television clips of classical music I've ever seen. I recorded it in September 1996, while at University.