The Passion of Music 2006

Great Young Performers at Carnegie Hall
These kids can play!

Six fantastic young musicians showcased their talent at Carnegie Hall. Mirai Sumino (Japan), piano, Daniel Lay (USA), viola, Rostislav Sharaevsky (Russia), xylophone, Aimi Kobayashi (Japan), piano, Sandy Cameron (USA), violin, and Shohei Sekimoto (Japan), piano, all performed three or more pieces with both Kobayashi and Sekimoto sort of hogging the stage. The youngest performer, Sumino, whose is nine years old, opened with some beautiful pieces from Mozart and Bach. Her height, along with Kobayashi's, required steps to be added to the peddles so she could use her feet. Daniel Lay's viola work was beautiful and emotional. Sharaevsky's rendition of Flight of the Bumblebee and a piece from Bizet's Carmen on the xylophone were astoundingly fun. The highlight for me was Sandy Cameron's version of Ain't Necessarily So on the violin. I love Gershwin and she really acted out the role of Sportin' Life while she played. By the third movement of a long piece played by Sekimoto, after several of his earlier long pieces, had several of the younger audience members groaning with boredom. The concert was great. The annoying 7 year old Russian kid behind me kicking my chair was the worst - he had no rhythm.