None of us are working hard enough

[Nlammertyn]

Mozart was extremely unstable because of the pressure his father laid on him. Indirectly he died from this. He got a certain dissease (probably from psychosomatic stress) and was treated with small doses of arsenic. At the end of his life his pain became greater and he started taking to much which resulted in him slowly poisining himself.
Would he have been such a famous composer without his fathers' pressure? Who knows, but everyone would agree it isn't healthy.
The same goes for this little girl. The odds that she really enjoys this and does it all willingly are very small. Now she gets enough attention, but what about when she's let's say 20 and she isn't that special anymore? I've seen a lot of really talented young musicians who just lost interest or broke down because of the external pressure from their parents (mostly).
It'll be a miracle if she still enjoys music in about 10 years.

[henryrobinett]

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.

[henryrobinett]

Also, I look at what I personally know. I relate to real world experience more than what other people might say. I know this family and have known them since they were all kids back i the early-mid 80s. They all played music. Dad was a bit of a freak and started a family band. Made everyone play music. I'd see them all lined up at the music store for lessons. 6 or 7 of them. They performed professionally. I'm still in contact with some of them. Not all are professional but not ONE hates music and all still play. One plays cello with some San Diego Symphony. She's married to one of the most remarkable jazz pianists alive, who was raised similarly. He was a prodigy and he breathes music and couldn't imagine doing anything else. And he started, likewise, from a ridiculously early age.

There are horror stories for everything. Parents are stupid. Children can be stupid. But throwing the baby out with the bath water is beyond stupid. There are many who like to start rumors about others - genius vs mediocrity. The movie Amadeus, while largely fiction, plays on the truth of that jealousy.

[matt2525]

I've got to say, watch that video from the OP again - tell me that kid isn;t playing with feeling? Now whatever amount of practice she may or may not be forced to do, she obviously has major talent to start with, and not only that but actually feels the music - that's what got me with this video - not only is she playing with amazing fluidity, but she's actually getting into it! I don;t think any of us can really know how much of a childhood she may or may not be getting just from looking at that video and knowing what country she;s from, but she's certainly getting something special from that performance.

[unitymusic]

That was awesome! That girl was very happy playing and obviously enjoys doing it, no amount of "torture" in the world could make a kid that young play like that! Not to say she doesn't have a strict teacher, but how anyone can find a talent like that "tragic" is disturbing and disrespectful to her and her teacher IMO.

-Danny

[lucey]

Originally Posted by Dean Roddey

Here is a perfect counter example to what so many people here are saying:

YouTube - The Next Mozart? 6-Year Old Piano Prodigy Wows All

She's very moving. Beautiful. The guitarist? Not moving me at all. Leaves room in my heart for worry.

And look at Tiger Woods. He loves to play golf, always did, and it's not physically painful ... but shit happens when you're out of balance. We all know it. Growing up is hard work on it's own. We're still doing it ...

[hitherto]

Originally Posted by unitymusic

That was awesome! That girl was very happy playing and obviously enjoys doing it, no amount of "torture" in the world could make a kid that young play like that! Not to say she doesn't have a strict teacher, but how anyone can find a talent like that "tragic" is disturbing and disrespectful to her and her teacher IMO.

-Danny

Yep. It is apparent that she likes what she is doing. The feeling projects through the music. It is not the least bit programmed. She surely practices a lot, and is probably forced to, but if she didn't like it you would be able to hear a lack of depth in the performance.

She is a MUSICIAN. Rhythm, dynamics, dexterity... amazing.

Henry is right on this one.