What did you think of it?

I hope the poor cello player has recovered from his ordeal!

Yes I did, and entirely agree with Alex's selections ! The two violinists were a class above the rest, and he chose the best cellist.

Yes they were my choice too. I just felt sorry for the other cellist for the manner of his dismissal. I hope it doesn't put him off from playing.

Someone beat me to this thread!!! Re the cello player, I guess you have to take the cons with the pros of living on a deserted island eh?? If there's noone to communicate with then you don't learn to communicate.

I did rather like the harp player though but don't know if that was her or the instrument that had me mesmorised.

It'd have been nice to hera the full performances as it's hard to judge properly from snippets. I guess timing wouldn't allow that much screen time.

So he's off to China to discover a pianist next.

Does the woodwind get a look in anyone know (or Brass for that matter?)

Yes, and I would have happily taken that obnoxious Alex down a peg or five. I don't care how talented he is, his arrogance made my blood boil!

I must have missed the programme, was it on TV or the YouTube?

Thanks

It was on Channel 4, 9pm. It's a series so has a few more weeks (not sure how many) to run yet.

I'll reserve judgement on Alex until I've seen it all...but I don't think I'll like him at all!

Channel 4. The children were mostly home-educated, as you would expect, and I found Michael just as arrogant as Alex!

I suspect Mozart and Mendelssohn were arrogant too, in their time! I thought Alex's self-confidence was amazing, for all the child prodigy expert tried to say it was down to self doubt!

It's on for another 2 weeks and there's supposed to be a quartet eventually, so I wouldn't be surprised if they're just going to add a pianist. The third week will presumably be devoted to Alex's composition and the way the Northern Sinfonia don't play it how he wants it!

but I also think the other "experts" took an instant dislike to him. proably because he was so young and talented and set above them. I felt there were obvious insecurities all round the panel and even if he'd been the nicest bloke in the world I think they'd have had a problem with him. What he was saying was true in some respects though. if he didn't mesh with the individuals and they with he , no matter how talented they were, then what hope had he of getting the best out of them for his composition? I do think he was getting rather above himself though but then there are many of these amongst those with piviledged lives.



It was on channel 4

oh: 2 of you got there before me. BM I agree about Alex's self confidence being admirable and I too found Michael arrogant.

Channel 4's Catch up on the internet is useless, I don't seem to be able to access it.I have already sent a query to C4. Any tips ?

Thanks

It's a silly programme. "The World's Greatest Musical Prodigies" would not (and clearly did not, from what I've seen so far) enter such a competition.

I probably didn't miss much huh? It must be rather ambitious to claim that they ARE the world's greatest isn't it? The are so many of them out there and they might probably not be in this competition....

I didn't see this program but I'm finding the comments interesting. I will be watching next week hopefully. Emsoboe is involved in a project with Channel 4 and Diverse productions.

These were my thoughts, these programs seem to imply that prodigies only play violin (maybe cello) and piano, probably because these are the instruments which can be learned from the earliest age and so parents see them as the fastest oppurtunity for their 3 or 4 year old to become as amazing as possible (cynical of me, I know).

The issue that concerned me about michael was that he said he "hates practising" and sees it as a "chore". Does such a person deserve to get through? If he wanted it that much surely he would practise? It just shows the narrow minded judging process I suppose.

I watched it on Catchup on demand last night - it came up with 'restricted content' but you can choose
the instant access option on the left to say you are over 18.

But probably right



Yes but he clearly enjoyed playing. I don't think his mum should be so heavy handed with him over it. Just my opinion and I suspect many will disagree but it's his outlet and he should be allowed to enjoy it. Why force him to go the extra mile to be a "star" if it's not what he wants? I felt his mum should let up and back off a bit but not go to the other extreme like Oliver's "parenting guru" mum

As a child I didn't really practise. I played a lot and did the bare minimum hard graft (maybe I did more but it didn't feel hard and like practise) The point is I enjoy my music but had a nice well rounded childhood too. I am now getting into the real practise routine as an adult and thoroughly enjoying it. I do wish I'd done more sooner. If I got to where I am without real practise maybe I could have got SO much further if I'd practised more but I'm also glad that my parents didn't force me down this road.

My point is music has different meaning/importance to each individual and it should be up to that individual to decide how they wish to pursue it. Michael had many things he was talented at. Not wanting to pratcise does not make him any less of a prodigy in my book. If he can do that without serious practice......

And I personally don't blame him for wanting a more rounded childhood life.

I really liked the girl violinist I thought she had a really nice sound.
Although I wasn't that keen on Alex, I agreed with him about the cellist. They've obviously edited it so we only see the contraversial bits.

I rather agree. But he's not the sort of lad to take (positive) criticism is he I suspect, as the 'expert' said, he'll disappear in his early twenties and very quickly become an 'also-ran' when the novelty of youth wears off.

I don't envy that young cellist when he grows up to discover the prison his lunatic mother has been keeping him in. A nervous breakdown waiting to happen... just from when he eats sugar for the first time!!!! And I did agree with Alex that his playing was seriously dull.

I've just watched this on catch-up. I found Alex quite insufferable, and the whole concept of the programme fairly nauseating. Who was the 'prodigy expert' woman? Is she some sort of agent for these kids? I preferred Oliver's playing, and completely disagreed with Alex's comments. I also though Michael was obnoxious and had an over-inflated idea of his own ability. They all have a LOT to learn.

Alex should stick to what he is good(?) at - writing music, and let someone else be the judge of who is the best instrumentalist. This programme has the potential to seriously upset some kids. I'm amazed anyone thinks this is a good way of organising a competition.

I'm just stunned if not saddened that no-one seems to have recognised the amazing Ida Haendel . An icon of the violin world. Up there with 'The Greats'. I would have paid good money just to sit in the same room as her, let alone get a free concert and the benefit of her musical input. Crikey. Off now to play her recording of the Tartini...........

I thought she was amazing. what age is she and still playing with that dexterity? a career of nearly 80 years I think was said!!!! BUT I know nothing about violinists - sorry.

In my previous post the "expert" i was referring to was the so called child prodigy expert. I mean - WHAT???? How does one get to call themselves such?

Is there really such a thing as a child prodigy? I do believe in musicality and talent, these have to be linked with enthusiasm, hard work and opportunity to be a very high achiever.

I'm not a parent or an adult learner (only 16) But I'll post here anyway.

I felt the same as Czerny and others in that I found him incredibly arrogant and irratating, and I thought some of the things he said to the other musicians was awful. I think someone has already said, but I thought it was horrid of him to tell the Cellist who lived on the island that he didn't connect and that the other Cellist (who he seemed to have a very good friendship with) was much better than him. This has happened to me (not in the same situation, but...), being told my friend was much better than me, and I took a huge confidence knock and I still don't like performing with her as I feel I'm compared. This may not be true, but I can't bear it. I felt really sorry for the cellist, and this made me dislike Alex even more. I actually prefered the cellist who lived on the island, and found the personality of the other very annoying.

I also didn't like the way Alex reacted to the advice from the two proffesionals. Even if he didn't agree with them, you can't talk to someone like that! These two women have been doing what they've been doing for years, with Ida Haendel being one of the most celebrated violinists ever. They looked like all they wanted to do was give Alex a good slap at times!

I'm going to watch it next week, just because I like listening to the musicians, although I do find it slightly depressing listening to them and then finding out how old they are! I realise they've been learning since about 3, and all they do is practise all day every day and I've only played since I was 12 and have done well to get to where I am and still do 10 other subjects at school, but it's still a little scary!

Jacob.

But, on the whole, wouldn't you rather be you, and not them? I'm just going to turf my non-prodigy off the computer and make him do some science revision before he can play the guitar and go to bed

Yes, I wouldn't like to have the life that a lot of these prodigies seem to lead. It would be nice to be as talented as them, but I suppose if you're dedicated enough, you can get to the same standard as these prodigies, but us "mortals" take longer to get there because of a different up-bringing, although thats touching on the nature versus nurture argument. I watched the documentary that Vanessa Mae did a while ago, and she isn't in contact with her mother because of falling out over being pushed when she was younger, and I'd hate to be in that sort of situation.

Jacob.

I felt that one reason Alex might have taken a dislike to the "island" cellist was that he was closer to him in age, so possibly more of a rival - those he selected were younger/smaller and perhaps subconsciously he thinks they will be easier to control.... But I agree Alex needs to work on his tact and diplomacy skills if he is going to have a productive career working with other musicians and getting the best out of them...

Well it's on again tonight. We'll see if Alex becomes a little more likeable... how do they choose the best child pianists out of 30 million in China!

Probably the luck of the draw

I doubt it.

So, what did you all think?

I was very surprised that Alex chose Jack, but it fits with him choosing someone young enough to do exactly as he tells them!

Have you ever seen anything like Aristo's improvisation?!! I was so impressed! (Then Hubby turned to me and said, "Why can't you do that?"! )

Darn it, forgot about it last night, and I was in Haleys Hotel all alone ! .

I wasn't sure about alex's choice last night, I don't really see what problem he had with Aristo, he was absolutely out-of-this-world-talented, and the title is called "World's greatest musical prodigy", I would say aristo fitted that most out of those selected. At the end of the day, I am sure that Aristo would have given the most imaginative and non-mechanical concerto performance. Alex keeps disregarding everything else and saying "I don't feel they would follow me", which seems very subjective, given that the show shows no evidence of him actually testing this skill directly, he is only trusting his own judgement.

It slightly grates on me that Alex always seems to disagree with the experts who helped him, sometimes it seems a little devil's advocatey if I am honest, almost that he disagrees to look superior or demonstrate his independence.

But then, when they interviewed the "island cellist" (can't remember his name!) didn't his mum say that she thought it was unnatural for kids to spend time with kids their own age? For me it's no wonder that it would come across as him having trouble to "connect" to other people (incl. Alex as they are a similar age) whether socially or musically....

Aristo did show more talent than the others. However, in the concert, it was the 13-year-old girl who blew me away. Alex said he wanted "emotive" playing, and I thought she gave it. But in any case, I don't think he made the right choice in the end.

Me too Can pick it up on line though from 4 on demand.

I was swooning over all the lovely pianos...

I think the episodes should have been the other way round. I can now see what Alex is going for - someone whom he can mould, who is not too set on his own path. It makes me understand the first episode better.

My husband guessed right and thought that the chosen boy played with the most emotion. Aristo was amazing, someone to look out for.

That Alex is a complete prat.

Spot on MT - succinct as ever!

This title of the greatest young composer in the UK has rather gone to his head and I can't get over how rude he is when talking to these proffesionals who help him in his decision (well, try to, seeing as their opinion is shot down before they've even finished speaking). He's only 16 and has loads more to learn still and is only at the beggining of his career, he should be listening to these musicians who've been performing since before he was born ( and probably before his grandparents, looking at the violinist!), instead and actually learn something. He doesn't have to accept their opinion, but he should atleast be polite enough to listen to them and learn!

Jacob.

Nice of you to say so. I was expecting a comment like "Well, you would know!"

That program irritates me, yet still I watch it

The Chinese kids, one of the mothers said "There are these really, really pushy parents who put loads of pressure on their kids and make their whole lives revolve around music, and can physically punish them for not practicing" or something like that...

Then she was asked whether he plays with his friends a lot "Oh no, I don't think it's very important. I'd much prefer he was doing 5 hours of music practice after school. He doesn't really have time for friends or games, he gets home from school, does his homework, then practices."

How can they be so obsessed?! These kids are going to be social zombies who can't interact with anyone when they're older!

I thought most of the Chinese kids seemed pretty happy and well adjusted despite the intense pressure. They seemed more normal than the American kids featured in a previous programme. I think the ones who didn't get through have had a lucky escape.

You need to check out Gabriela Montero.



He's the sort of person you'd never tire of slapping.

Yes, OK, but I didn't hear her when she was 12. Having looked her up, she says she used to improvise in private when she was young, but not in public. I still think Aristo was amazing to hear that melody once and then launch forth at his age.

He won the first prize in the Gina Bachauer junior competition last year.

I really enjoyed last night's episode when it all came together. The childen played brilliantly and I thought Alex came across as a nice guy in the end. A good ending!

Have to say my favourite parts were the couple of brief moments where they showed michael playing the mendelssohn violin concerto, I thought he was fantastic, and love the way he moves around the stage a bit while he's playing. I think I take back my previous concerns about Michael, I love his style of playing, not technically but just as an overall musician. I hope we see more of him (and the others) in the future

I was so annoyed at the earlier episodes I deliberately didnt watch last night.. Maybe I should have !

I'm wondering if I should have given it a chance now, but the trailer so put me off wanting to watch any episode....