Hi. did anybody see saturdays BGT, there was a saxophonist who was really good, but being a mear grade 2 novice, i was really impressed, but to a professional, was he really that good? also what was it he was a playing a soprano or straight Alto Sax?

Goofs

It was a soprano.

He played his piece well : but I will reserve complete judgement 'til I hear more of his playing, particularly more technical, faster pieces.

My thoughts exactly. My mum thought he was absolutely amazing and called me into the lounge to listen, which did surprise me a little, given she's had years in the past listening to me practice, play concertos and perform etc (what does that say about my playing?! )

My wife and daughter both said, "Why can't you play like that?"

My wife was a little more tactful, "one day you might be able to play like that"

I loved him.

Shame this thread is really split across two sections but I looked at what he was playing and thought "what?" - it looked nothing like the normal sort of Sax I'm used to seeing!

Gutted for Susan Boyle to be honest, what a moving performance. I'm sure she will do well out of it though.

Well I'm going to have to beg to differ and say I couldn't stand Julian Smith - can't bear that schmaltzy, Kenny G style of playing - aarrgh!!! Also, he already has a recording contract with a record company that just happens to be related to Simon Cowells' company, so what is that all about??? One big hmmm...

And does the world really need another Kenny G? I think not.

He's very good! He's a teacher and teaches my next door neighbour's family and he has a CD-there are some lovely songs on it and I think now he probably will produce more. Obviously he didn't show much virsuosity with that song but it did sound lovely.

I'm really pleased Diversity won though, no offence to her personally but I was getting so sick of Susan Boyle when people were saying how amazing it was. Yes it wasn't bad but after hearing the song millions of times and seeing the show twice I have heard people sing it far better with much more power, emotion, control etc. Good for her to get that far though.

I haven't watched any of it though, better things to do...

i totally agree!
i know soooo many saxophonists who are much better than him, most of whom are half his age and have already acheived greater things.
i think for someone representing "classical music" on a national show, he did a poor job. he could have played some really good saxophone music, but instead he chose to play transcriptions of songs, which to be honest, a grade 5 saxophonist could play.
alright, he put emotion into his playing, but so what? you need technical ability in excess to make it as a classical recording musician!
and yes, he sounded like kenny g.....bad move!

These were my thoughts as well.

His tone is pretty poor as well - kinda thin sounding. I find his vibrato to be grating and somewhat uncontrolled sounding as well.

His knee movements and facial expressions are excellent though.

But the whole point is was it entertaining ...and to the masses who dont play sax then yes it was, Julian Smith played a wonderful melody "Theres a Place For Us" and it worked...wether or not his vibrato was correct or his tone was thick, thin or indifferent it appealed to me and many others and he did a great job...the technicalities are highly subjective and this wasnt a serious classical competition but an entertainment competition and from that standpoint he did a great job..

So what if he has a recording contract with Cowell, good luck to him I hope he makes a million...Kenny G, though sugary is laughing all the way to the bank and good for him..I am sure there are a few here who wopuld happily give up their high held classical veiws if there was serious money involved...Would I ?...In a heartbeat.. you can bet your bottom dollar I would...lets face it not many make it to the Classical top so if light entertainment and a bit of schmaltz does the trick then why not...Kathryn Jenkins, Lesley Garret, Bond, and that other string quartet I forget their name are raking it in and not slumming it day in day out, they are seeing the world, performing and having a wonderful time...ok so its not Wigmore Hall but who cares they are successful even if it isnt highbrow it sells..I dont see many serious musicians raking it in for all thier hard work and devotion, the work is gruelling, the touring even worse and they dont have recording contracts worth Five Million or if they do they are very few...The Classic FM type performers are making a fortune and good luck to them..and Aled Jones can barely sing a note god love him..

For what is worth Liberace was everything showbiz and completely over the top but he was a serious pianist who knew where and how to make money from something he loved...He realised that he would make a far better living doing what he did than just touring the classical circuit..

I hope sincerely that Julian Smith makes a ruddy fortune...would I buy his CD...well if I want that sort of music yes of course I will...in fact I will do just that to support what he does...perfect music for a relaxing evening and people will buy it in millions, just like they buy CD's like " The Most relxing Classical Album EVER" and all the others that go in that genre..its commercial and thats what makes the world go round and puts money in the bank..money many of us mere mortals wouldnt mind seeing on our bank statements...He entered the competition we didnt, he had a bit of courage and took the bull by the horns and took a chance and it will definitely pay off..

Andrew

And to all those who thought Julian Smith was Poor or had this issue or that problem....hey guys he entered a huge competition on the TV, came third and got more publicity than we could ever afford... and just saying he had great knee movments and facial expressions smacks of sour grapes...like to see you go for it and see how you get on..its very easy to be an armchair critic..Sorry but that comment really hacks me off..

It's not sour grapes at all, it's just recognizing the reality that he's really all about image over substance. I don't begrudge him success at all, I really couldn't care less about how much money he makes. I don't see how recognizing that someone is not a very good musician and plays vapid, insipid music equates to jealousy or sour grapes, it's just the truth.

And I completely disagree with your comment about "the masses who dont play sax". Schmaltz is schmaltz, whether you are a musician or not.

I'm sorry, but being famous and making money does not change the fact that you aren't a very good musician. Wearing the latest line of clothing from Top Man and a daft hat does not change the fact that you aren't a very good musician. Being praised by complete airheads like Amanda Holden and Piers Morgan does not change the fact that you aren't a very good musician.


On another note, I thought the dance group who won were fantastic. Really enjoyed their performance, very effective.

A bit like Paul Potts then? He's not that good either.

Ann

And I'm sure there's a dance forum somewhere having exactly the same conversation about how technically inaccurate they are and they're not good dancers and it's just sensationalist entertainment!

Why can't we just enjoy it for what it is, entertainment, and if you argue that it's not - well don't watch it then - you can't judge someones ability properly when they have chosen 2 pieces to appeal to a wide, non classical audience, also they are essentially amateurs who are going to be incredibly nervous at the hugeness of the occasion, which always effects performance ability anyway.

If this performance encourages a young kid to pick up a saxophone who then goes on to become the biggest thing ever to hit the classical stage surely it's a good thing.

I have to join those not impressed by the saxophone, though it was pleasant enough to listen to. Susan was very good, but she should get the fuller power and maturity with more experience. Diversity were very good and probably deserved to win, though I confess dance is not my strong point. I must say I was impressed with Hollie, especially after the unfortunate semi final. Don't know the wisdom of singing like that at 10 though.

That's precisely what I thought when I read that comment




Blimey, it's a good job it isn't sour grapes, despite appearances to the contrary - I can't imagine what comments you'd make if it was sour grapes

He played a much more interesting piece on Britain's Got More Talent, when he played a duet with Kenny G. Excuse my ignorance, but I've never really heard anything much by Kenny G, so I'm not sure what he's like - I prefer Courtney Pine myself.

We wanted him to play something faster and more interesting in the final, but alas it wasn't to be. I wasn't at alll keen on his choice of pieces.

It will be interesting to see who makes the most money first.

While I am certain there is a place out there for the dance group Diversity, I can't see them being the ones who will make a killing from it.

Absolutely..you hit the nail right on the head..

Indeed there is. One of my former violin pupils is currently studying dance at the same place as some of the guys from "Flawless", and there are discussions flying around her part of the web about how gimmicky "Diversity" were, how they weren't actually dancing and how, clearly, all you need to win is to chuck a small child around the stage for 2 minutes.

Stavros Flatley had my vote. Or would have done had I voted. They didn't even pretend to be skilled at anything, they were just hilarious and totally 'feelgood'.

You're missing the point completely, my criticism of him has nothing do with whether or not his music is "classical" or not. My main criticism isn't do with his technical ability either, it's that his playing is just insipid ultra-kitsch nonsense and makes me feel nauseous.

The same criticism obviously cannot apply to Diversity, or to any of the other dance acts. Saying they are gimmicky, or that they aren't really dancing, are completely different criticisms to the ones I am making of Julian Smith. There was nothing gimmicky about his performance. It was just rubbish.

So we can expect to see you setting the standard and winning next years Britain's Got Talent then.....

Honest criticism does not equal 'sour grapes'.

Sorry, I'm not usually this critical of other musicians, but this kind of music really makes me




http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ad_hominem

You didn't like it, and of course everyone's taste is different, but I'm struggling to see in what way his performance was rubbish (in an objective sense).

It was fine, in its own terms. He played in tune, played all the right notes, phrased the melody pretty well. He didn't play anything difficult that might show what he's capable of, but so what - this wasn't a saxophone competition. I don't particularly like his style of playing, but I thought he gave a good performance, and was better than nearly all the other acts that finished below him (perhaps Flawless deserved more, but they were overshadowed by Diverity's originality).

Chris

No - I completely agree that on what we got to see on TV, Julian Smith was nothing earth shattering. Nor were any of the singers. Proper singers do competitions like the Cardiff Singer of the World, proper instrumentalists did BBC Young Musician, or Countess of Munster or whatever, when they were young - or they just get on with their studies and go out & forge a career by the usual hard work and networking method.

This is a glorified Village Hall talent show - which is fine - but it's not the same thing. And it's why I liked the novelty acts best. Things you just don't train seriously for, but which put a smile on people's faces.

Somebody stop me...

My comment was intended as tongue in cheek not literal.

Not everyone gets those opportunities and there ARE many talented people out there who, for whatever reason, just never got to give it a go first time round. They shouldn't be denied the opportunity of a 'lucky break' just because they haven't gone the professional or formal route from the beginning.

Many professionallly trained actors/musicians/singers never get a lucky break either. A large proportion of them leave the profession entirely before they are 30, mainly because of the lack of work available.

Regardless of age, raw talent can be nurtured, there are many though who will reach a glass ceiling long before they get anywhere.

I said I'd reserve full judgement until I'd heard him more...so here goes...

There is nothing, sadly, in his performances that suggests too much in the way of uniqueness, and I'm not sure about his technical virtuosity. What he does, he does very well, but there's nothing there that for me makes him stand out.

He may well go on to show more (BGT pun) diversity, but at the moment, I'm not totally convinced, which is a shame.

It was unforced and perfectly natural, so I wouldn't be unhappy with it - unlike the 12 year old boy. I was glad for his sake that he didn't get anywhere.

Ann

I thought Flawless were wonderful...

Quite flawless, in fact.

One thing I don't understand. Why do so many singers go back to their audition song? I mean, if a dance group can come up with a whole new routine every round is it too much to ask for a singer to learn a new tune every now and then?