Book Chapter
Musical prodigies within the virtual stage of YouTube
F de Mink, G MCPHERSON
Musical prodigies: Interpretations from psychology, education, musicology and ethnomusicology | Oxford University Press | Published : 2016
Abstract
This chapter examines YouTube as a medium for accessing the videos of young music performers. Comparisons of the characteristics of prodigy performances in the past and present are explored, and the challenges of young performers described in terms of the vast number of competing high-level performances that are currently available on the internet. Issues addressed include historical notions of the ‘Mozart-figure’, notions of popularity and commercial success, adult conceptions of child rearing practices and what is considered a “normal” childhood, and the degree to which prodigies can be conceived by adults as being able to perform emotionally and expressively at adult levels. The chapter e..
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