Finn Mannion, 24, was named the winner following a performance of Dvořák’s Cello Concerto
Cellist Finn Mannion has been named as the winner of BBC Radio Scotland Young Classical Musician 2026.
The 24-year-old cellist from Crieff, Perth and Kinross, triumphed in the finals held at Glasgow’s City Halls on Saturday 30 May, where he competed with two other finalists, pianist Anastasia-Maria Barbu and oboist Alasdair Cottee. He performed the first movement of Dvořák’s Cello Concerto in B minor op.104 with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra and conductor Jonathan Bloxham.
Mannion, who began playing both the cello (and the bagpipes) at the age of seven, studied at the National Music School in Edinburgh before moving to Switzerland to join the class of German–Japanese cellist Danjulo Ishizaka at the Musik-Akademie Basel, Switzerland, where he is currently completing his Masters in Music Performance. He was named a Royal Philharmonic Society Isserlis Scholar in 2019.
Mannion said: ‘I’m so happy and honoured to have won this award. Performing with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra and Jonathan Bloxham was incredible, and I’m very grateful to everyone who made the night so special.’
Mannion plays a cello by Giulio Cesare Gigli, c.1788, kindly loaned by a private individual. Aside from music, Finn is an avid hillwalker, lover of dogs and passionate photographer.
Victoria Easton-Riley, Head of Audio and Events, BBC Scotland, said: ‘Congratulations to Finn on his achievement, and to the other finalists for their fantastic performances. We are delighted to give these young artists an opportunity to perform with our award-winning orchestra and showcase their talents on BBC Radio Scotland.’
BBC Radio Scotland Young Classical Musician of the Year has been celebrating Scotland’s classical musical scene since 2024, giving up-and-coming Scottish musicians the opportunity to be heard by the wider industry and public.
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