Hello,
My son gave a little concert (he was 6 years old at that time). Below is the link of his video. He is still working hard for the piano, and loves it. I need your feedback since we must now take a serious decision: sending him a specialised music school or not (a decision which will effect his future). Of course the pieces here are (except the last one -Bach) simplified versions, but you (as pianists) can understand I suppose: do you see something special (or a light) in his hearing music or performance. Thanks for your help.

http://www.savefile.com/files/1201580

Your question is actually a very difficult and
sensitive one, because I suspect that what you
are really asking is if your son can become
a famous concert pianist.

If this is not what you are asking, then whether
he continues with his present teacher or changes
to a specialized music school is not that
critical--either might be okay for him. If
this is what you are asking, then, at the very
minimum, you would need to find the absolute
best teacher in all of Turkey for him (his
current teacher or a specialized music
school in all likelihood is not going to
be good enough to bring him up to that level).
And even better would be to move to where the
very best teachers are (Europe, the US, etc.).

Very nice, Baris. I almost clapped after the Bach, and then I remembered I was at my computer!

Your son plays very musically. It's clear that he loves the music, and that he certainly has potential. I can't advise you on whether or not you should send him to a specialized school, but he certainly is talented.

Thank you Gyro and Pianojerome.

What is important for me is not my my son's becoming a famous concert pianist. What is important for me (in the name of music) is understanding the music as a mode of expression and being able to hear that voice.

Unfortunately, today this understanding is almost lost (can you compare the quantity of the members of this forum with that of -say fans of- a newly popped up pop music artist?).

I just want my son to hear the music, understand it and finally express himself through music. I do not equate self expression with composing -i.e. for example Liszt, Chopin or any other composer may play a mediatory role in this process of self expression. What I hear and understand from a performance of, for instance, Liszt's Eroica in E Flat major will be surely different from another person, and moreover each performance will reflect different life experiences. This brings the infinite variety of the experience of music as a life experience, since the sheets on which musical scores are recorded are not the mechanical storage units. So, we must see the field of art as the sole field for emancipation in today's world.

Becoming a "pianist" is not that much important. Of course everybody can listen to music (or play it), however, listening to music (or playing music) in the context of above mentioned framework entails something more. My question was related to this end. Music can give us a chance to experience the world differently -freely, peacefully and without involving in jeopardizing power struggles. I do not see the music as a show business. But, living with music in this sense is a matter of education as well as talent. Either of these are equally important and if one is missing such a path can be dissapointing -but more importantly catastrophic. My question was related with the "talent" side, since the education of my son is my responsibility.

Again thank you for your reserving time to listen to a small child and for your valuable comments.