Every year, hundreds of young virtuosi slog it out in competitions hoping to catch the ears of agents, A&R people and concert management.Those exceptional enough to forge a career face the pressure of standing out in a crowded field while dodging sniping critics. As recreative interpreters they walk a tightrope – be praised for letting the music speak for itself and a snarky writer will damn you as a bland anonymity, take the risk of putting your stamp too firmly and they scream “mannered affectation”.

Boris...