The World's Greatest Musical Prodigies

Comments

1. I really enjoyed watching this and the end result was exactly what I'd hoped for. For me Nathan Chan stood out the most and im interested to know the name of the piece he played in the first episode for his audition. If you know what it was please let me know, thanks! ;)

   Posted by Lydia on 23/06/2009 17:34:18

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2. I really enjoy watching this and the immense talent of the children inspires me so much. Alex is a fantastic conductor and musician and is confident and reassured in his skills which is necessary for his role. However I think he needs consider other peoples views more as a lack of this can come across rather arrogant-I'm sure this is not really the case. I wish all of the superb contendants and Alex luck with their future careers as the leaders in 21st century music.

   Posted by MS on 22/06/2009 18:12:49

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3. I don't really understand conducting either and I've been doing it for a few years. Atarah, if you truly feel that any conductor needs to, or should, dominate musicians, then I'd have a rethink about the dynamic in any group you're involved with. And I mean a group at any level, any age and with any experience. This young man, who is clearly gifted, and in parts well-trained, has also a huge number of problems. Issues with insecurity, arrogance, and an almost complete lack of humility in front of young musicians, let alone those older and (perhaps) wiser. The problems he has are clear for all to see on the screen - each programme so far hasn't been about cellists or pianists (gifted as they are) - it's been about him. My questions are: why leave the UK to film this? And, what, exactly, does (even a young) Alex Prior expect to happen as a result? Gigs? Lifelong career? Or, eventually, disdain, disrespect? If Mr Prior respected the tradition of music-making, as he claims he does in so many places, then he would respect the tradition of the development, and the humility, of musicians. And the fact that any conductor most particularly, or composer, takes a long time to understand - to really understand

   Posted by Carlos on 18/06/2009 00:38:21

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4. I have no idea about conducting, the best performer or why this guy was considered arrogant for having strong views at 16, but, all of those young people are amazing. Really. Is it snobbery that forces us to pick holes in sensitive children for the sake of 'perfection'?

   Posted by Paul Potts on 15/06/2009 22:59:39

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5. It's a shame Alex was so arrogant that he didn't recognise Oliver's play with emotions. It's not only about tecnique. Tecnique-wise, Michael was great, I was really impressed by his Sarasate. But all come with both tecnique and emotions.

   Posted by Nykthos on 11/06/2009 11:09:56

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6. I have been watching with interest Alex Prior developing since he was 10 years old. When I first saw Simon Rattle in Liverpool I knew he would one day be one of the greats.. When i first saw Alex , I felt the same about him. So far , we are not really aware in this firt epsiode of his gifts, just his confidence!, which some people call arrogance!!!! All great conductors need confidence and arrogance to dominate 70 pro musicians ,often very cynical,and make them play as he wants. Alex conducted brilliantly the NSO at one of my children's concerts . In one hour and a quarter , he reharsed a whole concert inlcuding one of his excellent compositions,a feat that very few conductors could do, and hen we gave a great performance. I am looking forward very much to the next 2 episdoes(many of my pupils found it riveting!) and i hope we will see Alex in his true light a very gifted young man- a little tactless and forthright sometimes, but is not that the perogative of the young ! Atarah Ben-Tovim MBE Hon D.MUs author of "The Right Instrument for Your child"Director of Children's Classic Concerts, and creator of Atarah's Band Children's Concerts

   Posted by atarah ben-tovim on 10/06/2009 13:29:06

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7. Harpist was excellent, lovely girl and played brilliantly. Harp is such a great instument - been a fan ever since I heard Marisa Robles play live. What a girl to go out and give such a great performance at her first live concert. Great program bringing inspiration and real talent to the television and such interesting, nice and lively people. Although I think we really do need more cookery programs.

   Posted by aparsons on 10/06/2009 11:13:01

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8. Thank you for this programme. All the children were extremely good. The harpist was an amazing young musician, but the name I will certainly remember from the first part of the series is that of Oliver Aldort, who may easily become a new Rostropovich. Sadly, Alex Prior did not recognise his opportunity to compose for potentially the greatest cellist of the 21st century.

   Posted by Etrusca on 09/06/2009 10:21:39

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9. Wow, Alex Prior didn't exactly come out of that looking great. In many ways he seemed the least mature of all of them. Why did he listen to a harpist if he'd already decided that the harp was wrong for his piece? In the end it was his inflexibility and poor planning that was highlighted - I'm not surprised the poor harpist went away looking bewildered. That's the problem with music competitions in a nutshell - judges making random decisions based on personal criteria and having a big impact on the musicians they judge.

   Posted by BG on 08/06/2009 22:24:08

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10. I'm sure this is going to be the best thing I'v ever seen...or heard. Young Musical Genius,Alex Prior,really does have talent.I'm so happy about this.

    Posted by N.P.Okoye on 04/06/2009 19:29:06

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11. I am dreading this already, even though I am also looking forward to it curiously. Alex Prior is no doubt one of the most prolific young composers in UK, but it's quality not quantity that counts ultimately, and people in the business know he is just one of the many confident composers out there. He has a brilliant marketing team behind him, which others don't have, or else why would they be producing this?

    Posted by C Gordon on 03/06/2009 23:10:37

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