Violinist David Garrett: The truth about being a child prodigy

What's life like for a child prodigy? This video accompanies David Garrett through use of historical footage, and letting the star violinist speak for himself. Garrett became world famous early on as a 'wunderkind' – a child prodigy – and has had an incredible career ever since. That success makes it all the more astonishing how candidly and critically the violinist talks about his childhood, and the people who surrounded him at the time. His telling of it thoroughly dispenses with the two-fold myth: The child genius who is met with fascination on one hand, and rejection on the other. Garrett's view of the notable burdens and hardships he went through during his childhood is not a negative one, however. On the contrary: He is full of gratitude towards his parents. Through careful reflection upon all aspects of life as a wunderkind, this exposé ultimately leaves the question open of whether it is a blessing, or a curse. Viewers are left to form their own opinion – perhaps the greatest strength of this portrait of David Garrett.

At a glance:
(00:00) Gluck, Mélodie from Orfeo ed Euridice (excerpt)
(00:35) What music means to David Garrett
(00:51) David Garrett as a celebrated cross-over musician
(01:38) Self-doubt as an impetus for great art
(02:30) David Garrett as a small child: swift progression on the violin
(03:00) Performance pressure
(04:08) Schumann, Kinderszenen, Movement No. 7 (excerpt)
(04:24) On the burden of constantly havng to work as a child
(05:03) Great success as a youth
(05:32) On his childhood and adoloence as an outsider
(06:24) Mozart, Violin Concerto No. 3 in G major (excerpt)
(06:45) On having a father as teacher and critic
(07:39) Maria Theresia von Paradis, Sicilienne (excerpt)
(08:06) The difficulties of being a wunderkind
(08:58) Maria Theresia von Paradis, Sicilienne (excerpt)
(09:27) Finding one's own path as an adult
(10:14) Musical education in New York
(10:48) David Garrett's gratitude for his parents
(11:57) Bruch, Violin Concerto No. 1 (excerpt)

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