In regard to Bradley Zint’s piece in the Oct. 24 issue of the Daily Forty-Niner in the article called “Kid loses innocence, music not appreciated” on the 12-year-old who could not possibly perform Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1 with any passion, he missed one huge thing. While he mentions the kid’s age, he neglects to add the genius.
It is an act of genius to play a work like that with an orchestra. Professionals who have trained from age five will get in front of an orchestra at age 40 and will crack. He talked about passion for music, but Mozart was only a child when he began composing at age five.
Also, musicality is something that is learned from instruction as well as experience. Zint should not be too quick to judge because of his resentment towards those who are encouraged to play an instrument. Parents also force a children to do homework. Musicians consistently score higher in the math and science areas on tests, and parents, if nothing else, are simply giving them tools to succeed.
R. Kenneth Stavert, senior music major
