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There are exceptions to absolutely everything. To say Mozart died of psychosomatic illness brought on by the pressure his father laid on him is going pretty far afield. Yes, his father put great pressure on him. Wolfgang was the family money and introduction to the big time. They toured the world and met Kings and Queens, including Marie Antoinette at Schonbrun.
The fact of the matter is his talent and ability, brought on by hard work at an early age, opened doors for all of them and gave the world remarkable music that has stood the test of time.
As I said earlier, greatness comes at a price. Have you read any of Mozarts letters he wrote as a child? He was an irrepressible, foul mouthed child. He was actually hard to control and more or less did what he wanted. He was spoiled to a ridiculous degree and his father had a hard time making him do much of anything. The trouble Mozart had with his father was no different than a lot of people have with their parents, especially fathers who have a difficult time expressing affection.
There are stories about Beethovens father, many of them proven to be untrue. But I have no doubt he was cruel. Whether they would have chosen greatness regardless is a question we can't answer. But many would have. To live forever in the hearts and minds of generations of humanity, maybe forever? And all it takes is hard work from an early age? Many would have decided to just work hard. To be able to create works of art lasting for a proverbial eternity? All it takes is a few measly years of hard work and a stern parent? I would have. I wish my mother was more supportive in those years. She had no idea.
We have to go to more modern prodigies to see. Itzahk Pearlman, Issac Stern. They were both prodigies whose lives were enriched by music every day. Stern devoted much of his life to cultivating young prodigies, since he was intimately connected with the subject. Pearlman said he could always pick the prodigy out of an orchestra, because he always forced you to listen to him. "Here I am! Right here!"
Prodigies have a rare opportunity to take responsibility for their gifts. Not all of us know what our gifts are. They do, from very early on.
I don't think it's a mystery. I think they've done it before. And while they're still young enough to remember, somewhat, they jump on their instrument and train their fingers all over again.
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