Considering all the snow that has graced our Connecticut landscape lately, staying home and popping in a DVD is a pretty good way to leave the snow behind – even if just for an hour or two. During the most recent snow storm, when schools were closed everywhere in Connecticut, I treated myself to “Season 2: From the Top At Carnegie Hall.” This WGBH Boston Video based on the popular NPR program and scheduled for release on March 17, showcases young classical musicians who have extraordinary musical talent. Don’t think that this video is just about performance. It actually provides personal interviews with the young protégés, rehearsal segments, and backstage scenes at Carnegie Hall, both before and after performances as well as the performance itself.  This is an intimate look at our future musical greats. It’s a joy to listen to the music, but you won’t want to close your eyes as you witness the dedication and passion of these extraordinary musicians.
One of my favorite performances was that of 11 year old pianist Daniel Song. A recipient of $10,000 Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award, this young boy came to the United States when he was two years old. He was born in Korea and often visits his grandfather there. Shortly after coming to this country, he began studying piano at the Nelly Berman Music School. When the host of “From the Top,” Christopher O’Reilly,  asked Daniel whether there was anything other than a musician that he might want to consider as a career, young Daniel spoke lovingly about his grandfather, a doctor. He had watched his grandfather at work and though he played for his grandfather whenever he visited with him, his grandfather never saw Daniel in concert.
Unbeknown to the young pianist, special arrangements were made for his grandfather to attend the Carnegie Hall concert.  Daniel wasn’t told of this until after he performed and then his grandfather walked on stage and hugged him. It was quite a moving moment. The only thing more moving was the Franz Liszt piece he played so eloquently.
The interviews with these youngsters are quite memorable. Travis Johnson, for instance is 15 years old and hails from Milwaukie, Oregon. He used his $10,000 scholarship money to purchase a custom-made guitar. The video not only takes you behind the scenes at Carnegie Hall, but takes you to the master craftsman’s studio where Travis’ guitar was built. Travis got to select the woods he thought would not only look attractive but deliver the sound that he personally wanted to hear emanate from his instrument. A handsome young man, he claims that the guitar is a “babe magnet.”
Matthew Lipman plays viola. He is 16 years old and considers the viola to be a better instrument than a violin. His favorite place to practice the viola, in spite of the fact that he should avoid damp places, is the bathroom in his home. He studies at the Music Institute of Chicago and performs with the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra, Encore Chamber Orchestra, Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Academy Orchestra. Recently, he was named the overall winner of the Walgreen’s Concerto Competition. Living outside of Chicago, he travels two hours a week to his lessons and another two hours from his lesson. He never complains however because he feels as though he cannot be without his viola. Amazingly enough, whenever he finds free time, he spends it on Facebook. Just an everyday kid with an extraordinary gift.
This is a treat for music lovers everywhere. It’s the perfect gift to give to a budding musician, since it is assuredly inspirational. It is also one of those DVDs that you can pop into your computer as you work and hear beautiful music straight from Carnegie Hall without moving away from your desk.
Title: From the Top at Carnegie Hall Season 2
Running Time: 5.5 hours (13 total episodes)
$29.95 Available 3.17.09