This is the future of classical music.

[Sarongman]

I can't complain about the fact that my small hands find an octave stretch on a piano nearly impossible again. Just watch this 5 year old girl and marvel. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDWfMAvxjio

[Charlie]

Never thought I'd envy a 5 year old - wish I could play like that - wish I could play any musical instrument! Still, never too late to start

On the subject of classical music, I watched the 'Last Night of the Proms' on BBC last night. It was conducted by Marin Alsop. Much was made of the fact that she was the first female to conduct the last night (and American to boot!). For me, the gender of the conductor is immaterial as long as the orchestra makes the right noises. But, as I said to Mrs C, she might be the first female conductor, but she still dressed as a man (black jacket and trousers).
Incidentally, all the lady performers (musicians and choir) all wore colourful dresses and were a joy to behold. All the gentlemen performers wore identical black suits, althought some were a little creative with their bow-ties.
Charlie

[JPatrickM]

Lovely video clip. About 40 years ago I could still play that piece, though not as well as that , despite having given up piano lessons at 15, some years before. (but I was never that good, and used the "small hands" excuse to give up).
And as for "Last Night of the Proms", I echo Charlie's comments, but try as I might, I somehow can't imagine Marin Alsop in a dress.
Patrick

[Uncle Al]

10 Year Old Shuan Hern Lee from Australia. I watched
several of the Australia's Got Talent clips of him but
I didn't see if he won the champion in 2010(when he was 7 yrs old).

Uncle Al

[the_scott_meister]

That was wonderful. One of my favorite pieces, and one of the first I learned when I started, but I started about 10 years behind her. Though I did have the advantage of having nearly full-sized hands it doesn't seem to be a problem for her. If she keeps it up diligently she could have a bright future in it.

[crfriend]

I hate to throw water on the party, but I've always been fairly skeptical about prodigies. Yes, they can put on splendid technical performances, but how well do they fare when they get off their beaten path? And how well are they adapted to a life that may have to be lived off the path that their parents drove them on?

Make no bones about it, there exists "The Gift" -- and that can be in almost anything -- but it's rare. On the other hand, it's possible to train horses to do basic arithmetic and to count off a sum on their hooves in response to an astute trainer. I will happily admit that the youngsters in the aforementioned clips are vastly technically better than I will ever be on the instruments involved -- but, are they "one trick ponies" put up on stage by overachieving parents and coaches? Can they make another (keyboard, in this case) instrument sound as good?

Yes, I am a bit jaded after all my years on this silly little rock we call Earth, but sometimes that critical mind can expose things that others might unquestioningly take as gospel. As the paraphrase for the computing motto "GIGO" goes, "Garbage In Gospel Out". I've seen it a few too many times to think otherwise.