Congratulations to our three The Talent finalists, who returned to the stage on Tuesday 11 November for their final performances.
A special congratulations to this season’s winner, pianist Seth Raudam!
Violinist Daniel Feng was awarded second place, and cellist Hugo Wang, third place.
Daniel Feng (violin)
At 17, Daniel is a dedicated violinist. In 2024, he achieved his LMusA with distinction and received the Robert Stolz Viennese Society Music Scholarship. He has won numerous awards, including first place in the 16 and under category at the Ringwood Eisteddfod and first place in the 18 and under category at the Boroondara Eisteddfod. A keen orchestral player, Daniel has participated in programs such as the ACO Academy and AYO Young Symphonists. In April 2024, he toured Germany and the Czech Republic with the Melbourne String Ensemble, performing with youth orchestras in Leipzig, Liberec, and Stuttgart. He has also enjoyed performing solos at major venues such as the Melbourne Recital Centre. His favourite piece is currently Ravel’s Pictures at an Exhibition.
Repertoire with associate artist Konrad Olszewski
- Charody: Dance of the Clowns
- Gershwin: Three Preludes (arr. Heifetz)
Hugo Wang (cello)
Hugo is 15 years of age and is currently a Year 9 student at Melbourne Grammar School. Since the age of 5 he has studied cello with Svetlana Bogosavljevic.
Hugo enjoys both solo and chamber performances and is a member of the MGS Symphony and String Orchestras. He is also a member of the Melbourne Conservatory Chamber Music Academy, involved in multiple chamber piano trio ensembles, taught under the expertise of Caroline El Monte, Odette Creanga-Kurth and Svetlana Bogosavljevic. Hugo is looking to develop his cello playing both musically and technically, especially when performing in concerts. He obtained his AmusA in 2024.
For his performance tonight, he will be playing the Suite for Violoncello by Cassado and the 2nd movement of Prokofiev’s Cello Sonata in C. Heavily influenced by his teacher Casal’s performance of Bach Suites, Cassado’s suite reflects the audacious flair of the flamenco Spanish dance combined with aspects of a Sarabande. His second piece contains Prokofiev’s musical wit, satirising Stalin’s regime through dramatic chords and bitter-sweet melodies.
Outside of music, Hugo is a keen chess player and hopes to pursue medicine in the future.
Repertoire with associate artist Otis Wang
- Cassado: Suite Preludium Fantasia, mvt.1
- Prokofiev: Sonata in C, mvt.2
Seth Raudam (piano)
Seth Raudam began his musical journey at the age of 11, playing the piano and composing, and soon realised it was his life's dedication. He began using a small electric keyboard, then, driven by his passion, he eventually saved up for an acoustic piano, which he financed through the help of an online fundraising campaign.
Seth is studying with Kevin Suherman and Carmel Slater, achieving an AMusA Diploma with Distinction at 15. He is part of Melbourne Recital Centre’s Accelerando Program and has won numerous awards in various Eisteddfods and competitions, earning adjudication scores as high as 98 points.
As a composer, he has written a 20-minute Piano Sonata titled “Mystic Grove” which he was invited to perform on 3MBS Radio after winning the 2023 Musical Society of Victoria’s David Henkels Composition Award. He is currently being mentored by Carl Vine AO.
Repertoire:
- Carl Vine: Five Bagatelles