5 young piano prodigies who blew their audiences away


21 June 2021
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By Ellie Palmer
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We take a look at some of the most exciting young talent in the classical piano world today

Alma Deutscher

Now 16 years of age, Alma Deutscher was just ten years old when this video was recorded back in 2015. The young Brit is a composer, violinist and pianist, and above she performed Mozart's Piano Concerto K 246, which also includes a cadenza written by Alma herself. She performed alongside the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra and conductor Roni Porat.

She has mesmerised thousands of people around the world with her genius, and has already performed with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, the Royal Philharmonic, the Welsh National Opera, the Vienna Chamber Orchestra and others. She gave her debut at New York's Carnegie Hall in December 2019 and received multiple standing ovations.

Her first book of original piano solo music, From My Book of Melodies, is reviewed inside the latest issue of Pianist.

 

 

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Alexander Malofeev

Alexander Malofeev was just 13 years old when this was filmed in 2014. Incredible! The young Russian performed Liszt's famous 'La Campanella' at the Great Hall of the Moscow State Conservatory

Now 19 years old, he is living up to his potential. Since the above performance, he has taken home the Grand Prix prize at the 1st Grand Piano International Competition for Young Pianists in Moscow (2016), and 2nd prize at the 1st China International Music Competition (2019).

 

 

Elisey Mysin

 

The Russian-born youngster is thought to have been just eight years old when this video was filmed. He blew his audience away with a performance of Mozart's Concerto No 3 in D Major in the city of Naberezhnye Chelny, Russia. You can find out more about Elisey Mysin here.

Sit back and enjoy!

 

 

Agafia Korzun

 

Chopin's Nocturne No 20 in C sharp minor is one of the composer's most famous and adored pieces. Seven-year-old Agafia Korzun above plays it like she's known it for years. Many of the comments below the video point to how she is able to portray so many of the piece's emotions at such a young age. And we absolutely agree.

Like Elisey, seven-year-old Agafia is another child prodigy from Russia. In fact, the two have previously played together.

 

 

William Zhang

Seven-year-old William Zhang first become known to the international public when he appeared at Carnegie Hall in 2019 after winning First Prize in the American Protégé International Piano and Strings Competition.

The following year, he appeared on American TV show Little Big Shots and performed Chopin's famous Minute Waltz Op. 64 No. 1 in D-Flat Major (above). The performance brought tears to the eyes of host and actress Melissa McCarthy, as you can see in the clip.

Perhaps William, or indeed one of other four youngsters featured in this article, will appear on the cover of Pianist one day. What do you think?

 

Main image: William Zhang ©YouTube