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What exactly was he playing? It sounded like he was mashing up a bunch of Mozart songs, but I wasn't sure.
Furthermore, what did you think of his playing? It was excellent technically, and perhaps my opinion stems from the camera angle, but it seemed like he was focusing so much on the technical aspect that he forgot about the music.
it was rondo alla turca and the intro to the grieg piano concerto. don't know if he played anything else - he also had to play a dinky keyboard so that probably made it seem that much less musical.
Right. I noticed the keyboard when he first went on, but I had forgotten about it since. It seemed like last season when there was a singer/pianist they had a grand. Of course I didn't see the audition, so perhaps "Amadeus" will have a better piano in future rounds.
I honestly see nothing special about his performance, or anything that would cause the audience to react the way they did. But then again 99.99% of the audience most likely isn't an audience who has a trained ear or any classical background.
I think it's the costume.. and the little chit chat they had before the actual performance got the crowd going... and they can always edit and do lot of things to make it look like he was winning the audience. I wouldn't be surprised if there were people in the audience who is actually hired to cheer really loud& do other things to get the crow going.
It's possible that for most people in the audience, this is the first time they actually sat down and heard someone play classical music.
If he started playing in pre-school age, he has probably been playing for more than 10 years, and after 10 years playing Mozart is not so terribly difficult I guess.... Update: I just listened to him... He doesn't seem to be special to me. "The most talented act"?
and after 10 years playing Mozart is not so terribly difficult I guess....
While I understand your point, Mozart, is incredibly difficult at any age, regardless of how long one has been playing.
"And if we look at the works of J.S. Bach — a benevolent god to which all musicians should offer a prayer to defend themselves against mediocrity... -Debussy
"It's ok if you disagree with me. I can't force you to be right."
i'm pretty sure everybody just cheered because they recognized rondo alla turca.
with the circumstances (amplifier, keyboard, etc), i think it would be really too difficult to tell how good he actually is. though, he only played octaves in the grieg at the end! lame! :P
I’m quite flabbergasted by the condescending and pretentious tone of many posts in this thread. A sixteen year old lad has the balls to try and reach out to the masses and get them in touch with classical piano music. From my humble view point here in Cornwall he succeeds in thoroughly entertaining the crowd and does so with great panache and a technically excellent performance in front of millions of people. I’m not quite sure why many of you have found it so difficult to say anything complementary about his performance. Perhaps the thought of all those working class people liking classical piano makes you feel insecure. Maybe its jealousy of his ability to entertain a crowd. Maybe feelings of inadequacy that the reaction when most you sit at the key board is people running for the exit, or quietly falling asleep. Whatever the reasons for the snobbish, condescending and pretentious attitudes displayed by some of the previous posters I would like to say I thoroughly enjoyed his performance, I congratulate him on his showmanship, admire his aims and would quite happily sit through more of his playing. I only wish more 16 year olds had his ability to entertain as much as he does and clearly not take themselves too seriously.
I’m quite flabbergasted by the condescending and pretentious tone of many posts in this thread. A sixteen year old lad has the balls to try and reach out to the masses and get them in touch with classical piano music. From my humble view point here in Cornwall he succeeds in thoroughly entertaining the crowd and does so with great panache and a technically excellent performance in front of millions of people.
I daresay his popularity with the crowd has more to do with the crowd's failings than his successes. He's nothing special.
Originally Posted by Wombat66
I’m not quite sure why many of you have found it so difficult to say anything complementary about his performance.Perhaps the thought of all those working class people liking classical piano makes you feel insecure. Maybe its jealousy of his ability to entertain a crowd. Maybe feelings of inadequacy that the reaction when most you sit at the key board is people running for the exit, or quietly falling asleep. Whatever the reasons for the snobbish, condescending and pretentious attitudes displayed by some of the previous posters I would like to say I thoroughly enjoyed his performance, I congratulate him on his showmanship, admire his aims and would quite happily sit through more of his playing. I only wish more 16 year olds had his ability to entertain as much as he does and clearly not take themselves too seriously.
Plenty of 16-year-olds are better than him. I'm better than him now and I was when I was 16, and I'm sure the same could be said for many others. He's not a skilled enough pianist for a mass-inferiority complex to be a sufficient explanation for the negative reaction here. And as for being jealous of the audience reaction - they cheered because he's a kid and because he played a stock classical piece they recognised. They are not a discerning audience. They do not understand classical music. No pianist in their right mind would be jealous of him for the reaction. We aren't panning him because we envy him. We aren't panning him because we're snobs (that, by the way, was a particularly obnoxious claim). We're panning him because he's nothing special. Simple as that. If you want to be one of the dot-brained halfwits applauding at the mediocre, fine. Just don't blame us for not joining you.
I’m quite flabbergasted by the condescending and pretentious tone of many posts in this thread. A sixteen year old lad has the balls to try and reach out to the masses and get them in touch with classical piano music. From my humble view point here in Cornwall he succeeds in thoroughly entertaining the crowd and does so with great panache and a technically excellent performance in front of millions of people.
I daresay his popularity with the crowd has more to do with the crowd's failings than his successes. He's nothing special.
Originally Posted by Wombat66
I’m not quite sure why many of you have found it so difficult to say anything complementary about his performance.Perhaps the thought of all those working class people liking classical piano makes you feel insecure. Maybe its jealousy of his ability to entertain a crowd. Maybe feelings of inadequacy that the reaction when most you sit at the key board is people running for the exit, or quietly falling asleep. Whatever the reasons for the snobbish, condescending and pretentious attitudes displayed by some of the previous posters I would like to say I thoroughly enjoyed his performance, I congratulate him on his showmanship, admire his aims and would quite happily sit through more of his playing. I only wish more 16 year olds had his ability to entertain as much as he does and clearly not take themselves too seriously.
Plenty of 16-year-olds are better than him. I'm better than him now and I was when I was 16, and I'm sure the same could be said for many others. He's not a skilled enough pianist for a mass-inferiority complex to be a sufficient explanation for the negative reaction here. And as for being jealous of the audience reaction - they cheered because he's a kid and because he played a stock classical piece they recognised. They are not a discerning audience. They do not understand classical music. No pianist in their right mind would be jealous of him for the reaction. We aren't panning him because we envy him. We aren't panning him because we're snobs (that, by the way, was a particularly obnoxious claim). We're panning him because he's nothing special. Simple as that. If you want to be one of the dot-brained halfwits applauding at the mediocre, fine. Just don't blame us for not joining you.
Your reply, in my opinion, is spewing of pretentiousness and condescension: "dot-brained halfwits applauding at the mediocre", "I'm better than him now and I was when I was 16" (do you even know him?), "He's nothing special" (come on that is a little harsh).
We aren't panning him because we envy him. We aren't panning him because we're snobs (that, by the way, was a particularly obnoxious claim). We're panning him because he's nothing special. Simple as that. If you want to be one of the dot-brained halfwits applauding at the mediocre, fine. Just don't blame us for not joining you.
You don't really know if he's nothing special, just that his program was nothing special. He played it well, with only one small glitch and he did it in an entertaining fashion.
Your reply, in my opinion, is spewing of pretentiousness and condescension: "dot-brained halfwits applauding at the mediocre", "I'm better than him now and I was when I was 16" (do you even know him?), "He's nothing special" (come on that is a little harsh).
Oh yes, because 'harsh' implies 'pretentious'. For that matter, I wasn't even particularly harsh. Just honest. I didn't even say he was bad - he's just not anywhere near the level at which he should be appearing on national television.
Originally Posted by Damon
You don't really know if he's nothing special, just that his program was nothing special. He played it well, with only one small glitch and he did it in an entertaining fashion.
I didn't think he deserved to be bashed...yet.
Alright, point taken, although why he would deliberately select a program significantly below his abilities is beyond me. Personally I found myself more repulsed than entertained - apparently substituting period clothing for actual musical ability is the way to go.
I’m quite flabbergasted by the condescending and pretentious tone of many posts in this thread. A sixteen year old lad has the balls to try and reach out to the masses and get them in touch with classical piano music. From my humble view point here in Cornwall he succeeds in thoroughly entertaining the crowd and does so with great panache and a technically excellent performance in front of millions of people. I’m not quite sure why many of you have found it so difficult to say anything complementary about his performance. Perhaps the thought of all those working class people liking classical piano makes you feel insecure. Maybe its jealousy of his ability to entertain a crowd. Maybe feelings of inadequacy that the reaction when most you sit at the key board is people running for the exit, or quietly falling asleep. Whatever the reasons for the snobbish, condescending and pretentious attitudes displayed by some of the previous posters I would like to say I thoroughly enjoyed his performance, I congratulate him on his showmanship, admire his aims and would quite happily sit through more of his playing. I only wish more 16 year olds had his ability to entertain as much as he does and clearly not take themselves too seriously.
Television shows like "America's Got Talent", and "American Idol", etc., etc. are the epitome of all that is wrong with music today. Regarding the little mishmash I heard the young man play...Mr. Wombat, do not identify this as one reaching out to the masses in an effort to expose them to classical music; it's not. It's simply a young man using his skill along with a bit of showmanship trying to convince a panel of twits (sorry Howie...I always liked you, but talent judge?) that he's the choice to be made. If you'd like to hear a condescending opinion then I'd be happy to give you one and am thoroughly capable of making the other replies seem "nice". No one here is looking down their collective noses at this young man (though some have come close). Those who assemble here take the piano, the art of playing it, and the music composed for it by some of the greatest musical minds the world has ever known, very seriously. When something one holds passionately close to the heart is thrown into the circus ring, then, by all means, those with a true love for the subject at hand will have their say on the matter.
"And if we look at the works of J.S. Bach — a benevolent god to which all musicians should offer a prayer to defend themselves against mediocrity... -Debussy
"It's ok if you disagree with me. I can't force you to be right."
Television shows like "America's Got Talent", and "American Idol", etc., etc. are the epitome of all that is wrong with music today. Regarding the little mishmash I heard the young man play...Mr. Wombat, do not identify this as one reaching out to the masses in an effort to expose them to classical music; it's not. It's simply a young man using his skill along with a bit of showmanship trying to convince a panel of twits (sorry Howie...I always liked you, but talent judge?) that he's the choice to be made. If you'd like to hear a condescending opinion then I'd be happy to give you one and am thoroughly capable of making the other replies seem "nice". No one here is looking down their collective noses at this young man (though some have come close). Those who assemble here take the piano, the art of playing it, and the music composed for it by some of the greatest musical minds the world has ever known, very seriously. When something one holds passionately close to the heart is thrown into the circus ring, then, by all means, those with a true love for the subject at hand will have their say on the matter.
How would you react to something really serious...like having to wait on line at the supermarket?
Television shows like "America's Got Talent", and "American Idol", etc., etc. are the epitome of all that is wrong with music today. Regarding the little mishmash I heard the young man play...Mr. Wombat, do not identify this as one reaching out to the masses in an effort to expose them to classical music; it's not. It's simply a young man using his skill along with a bit of showmanship trying to convince a panel of twits (sorry Howie...I always liked you, but talent judge?) that he's the choice to be made. If you'd like to hear a condescending opinion then I'd be happy to give you one and am thoroughly capable of making the other replies seem "nice". No one here is looking down their collective noses at this young man (though some have come close). Those who assemble here take the piano, the art of playing it, and the music composed for it by some of the greatest musical minds the world has ever known, very seriously. When something one holds passionately close to the heart is thrown into the circus ring, then, by all means, those with a true love for the subject at hand will have their say on the matter.
How would you react to something really serious...like having to wait on line at the supermarket?
That's your idea of serious?
"And if we look at the works of J.S. Bach — a benevolent god to which all musicians should offer a prayer to defend themselves against mediocrity... -Debussy
"It's ok if you disagree with me. I can't force you to be right."
You don't really know if he's nothing special, just that his program was nothing special. He played it well, with only one small glitch and he did it in an entertaining fashion.
I didn't think he deserved to be bashed...yet.
Alright, point taken, although why he would deliberately select a program significantly below his abilities is beyond me. Personally I found myself more repulsed than entertained - apparently substituting period clothing for actual musical ability is the way to go.
It could be that it was the limit of his ability or maybe he found from experience that regular folks don't appreciate Islamey. Sometimes personality is more important in a talent show. Just ask Lang Lang!
I can't comment on the specific performance as I didn't see it, but I find the pianoworld bashing of the kid's performance both pretentious AND poisonous. A teen played a classical piece that was well-received by an audience and the pianoworld reaction is that both the performer and the audience are laughable and inadequate? That sure makes me want to be part of this forum. What great musical encouragement!
Bach French Suites No. 6, Allemande and Gigue, Beethoven's Pathetique, Chopin Nocturne 72/1, Fantaisie-Impromptu, Debussy's First Arabesque, Takacs Toccata Op 54, Rachmaninoff Etude-Tableau 33/8.
I can't comment on the specific performance as I didn't see it, but I find the pianoworld bashing of the kid's performance both pretentious AND poisonous.
I can't comment on the specific performance as I didn't see it, but I find the pianoworld bashing of the kid's performance both pretentious AND poisonous.
I didn't bash him. I thought he did fine.
I don't think she was calling you out. I think she chose to reply to you due to the fact that you were the last person to reply when she saw the posts and it is more convenient to reply to the last post than scrolling to another post.
I happen to actually know Simeon,He is one of the nicest kids I know.And I don't think that what you heard was his best performance.I also think he is on his way to a fine musical career.I guess a 16 year old shouldn't have fun while he's playing.
Those who assemble here take the piano, the art of playing it, and the music composed for it by some of the greatest musical minds the world has ever known, very seriously. When something one holds passionately close to the heart is thrown into the circus ring, then, by all means, those with a true love for the subject at hand will have their say on the matter.
+1
I'd also like to add: you can take something "very seriously" and still approach it in a manner that's playful and joyous. And I think many of us here do. This dichotomy between entertainment for the masses and serious snobby stodgy study is totally false.
(In other words: just because I look down on the whole context in which Amadeus is playing-- and while it's cute, I certainly do look down on it-- doesn't make me a snobbish joyless Morlock.)
-Jason
Beethoven op.110, Chopin op.27/2, Liszt Vallée d'Obermann
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