The concert has been sold out for a fortnight. Such a clamour for seats hasn't been known at the Harrogate International Festival since Evelyn Glennie first appeared here, years ago. Today's eagerness is for a programme of chamber music for clarinet and piano, played mid-morning by Julian Bliss, clarinet, with Andrew Zolinsky, piano.

Make no mistake; the public enthusiasm is justified. Julian is a truly outstanding clarinettist. I've heard him for myself at a previous recital, playing pieces that I know well. But I didn't really appreciate Julian's impact on British musical life until I sat next to his mum, Maureen, during Julian's performance at Harrogate - which, incidentally, was brilliant.

Before the concert, during the interval and afterwards, there came a continuous stream of folk approaching Maureen to ask questions, congratulate, and enquire whether they could book Julian for concerts and recitals. "I saw you on TV," was the invariable opening gambit. Lest you didn't see any of the four Channel 4 programmes about him, let me explain.

Julian was thirteen this June, 2002. He began playing the clarinet at four. Before he was five he won a woodwind class at Watford Festival. The class was for under-thirteens. The adjudicator's comment was: 'Is this the beginning of your concert career?'

At the age of eight he achieved a distinction at Associated Board Grade Eight. He began on the revolutionary Lyons C Clarinet, which is small, light, tough and simple. His early teachers included David Johnston (who started him off, and for whom Maureen has special praise), Michael Collins and Paul Harris. At nine, Julian gained a distinction from both the Associated Board and Trinity College for his Performer's Certificates. Trinity subsequently awarded him an Exhibition after he gained a higher mark than any other candidate in the world that year.

By now playing a top quality conventional wooden instrument made by the British manufacturer Peter Eaton, Julian attended the Purcell School in Hertfordshire from September 1997. Then, in 2000, he accepted a place at The School of Music at Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, studying with Professor Howard Klug as an Artist Diploma student. The Artists Diploma Course is a postgraduate course, designed for 'Finishing the Young Professional Player'. Julian, now an eleven-year-old postgraduate, was awarded a full scholarship. During this period of American study, Maureen travelled with Julian. As a climax to this transatlantic sojourn, Julian won the prestigious Philadelphia Young Soloists Competition.

Was the American stay successful? "Yes, on many different levels," says Maureen. "Julian loved the Catholic Junior school he went to, and did very well in academia. He mostly enjoyed the environment of the University. He enjoyed working with students of all ages, and benefited greatly from being around a host of wonderful professors. He would regularly go to the opera and ballet. One night, he worked as an usher so he could watch Lucia di Lammermoor again!" On returning to Britain, Julian performed at the Queen's Golden Jubilee Concert, to great acclaim

Now Julian is due to commence further study at the Royal Academy of Music this Autumn. He's not following a whole course. Most importantly, he'll be interacting with other students in chamber music. Conducting, Music Technology and Performance will be on his timetable. Composition will be considered later. Julian also has regular piano lessons with Harvey Dagul in St. Albans.

It's a demanding schedule, as Julian will also attend a tutorial college. He's starting on GCSE subjects immediately, with the aim of gaining double science and German in the first year. Currently Julian makes twice-monthly visits to study with Sabine Meyer in Lubeck, North Germany. "I like the wonderful sound she makes," says Julian. "And the style of her teaching." He is also friendly with the eminent British clarinettist Anthony Pay, whom Maureen Bliss praises highly: "He's been really nice. Anthony and Julian get on well. He's a very intelligent man; he hasn't any hidden agenda at all."

The concert in Harrogate was, deliberately, one of only a few this year. Maureen has agreed that IMG Artists agency will represent Julian. "They're going to get him some wonderful concerts," she says. "It's easier for someone else to be involved in making the decisions for him now. They're very knowledgeable, very protective of him. Julian did three London concerts. The Artist Manager was next to him all the time. She was there the whole day at the Palace." Among IMG's stellar roster of conductors and soloists, Julian is the only clarinettist.

Paradoxically, Julian doesn't feel that there's any pressure in his life. He loves the media attention, likes meeting people, and says he doesn't get nervous. Maureen's view is that he has some sort of performance adrenalin. "Something happens to tweak him up a bit."

The ambition to become an international soloist doesn't monopolise Julian's life. He reckons to do three hours clarinet practice each day, but also rides, swims, and rides his little four-wheel motorbike off-road.

Julian loves travel. He confesses that he did miss home when he was in the USA, but being busy helped him to cope. At Harrogate he was looking forward to the journey to the next concert, in Chester. Maureen admits that at times she finds the travel tiring. She also gets homesick, but her presence is necessary. "Most of the time Julian's fine without me, but occasionally, only a mum will do. Some things he can't sort out for himself. He hasn't the experience."

The following day Maureen told me that at Chester, people paid to stand through Julian's recital.

I'm not surprised.