Well, I think so, anyway. Is there anyone who hasn't hear of Pudsey, the dancing dog who won Britan's got Talent at the week-end? I doubt it. He's now so famous, he's getting a "doggyguard". Yes, really.
But how many people have heard of Laura Van Der Heijden, the staggeringly gifted 15-year-old 'cellist (only just fifteen, at that) who last nght won BBC's Young Musician of the Year, with a stunning performance of the very difficult concerto by Walton?
I'm not denigrating Pudsey's performance. I didn't see it happen, but watched it on Youtube, and it was extremely clever (nearly 400,000 hits by last night). But apart from the glitz and the glamour (not to mention Simon Cowell's bewildering hair-do), have we got things just a bit wrong? The three children - for that's what they were - who competed in the Young Musician final, were staggeringly gifted, and had practised for six or seven hours a day for years. I'm sure they will be known for many years to come. Pudsey is - a dog.
But I guess that animals will always have it. If there were a tortoise who could sing God Save the Queen, or a budgie who could knock up a cheese omelette, they would win, too. I'm sure there were some very good acts in BGT, but couldn't these young musicians have just a little more publicity and praise, too? They are the future of this country's classical music, and will one day leave something very important behind them.
Pudsey may leave some tear-jerking video footage. Oh - and, maybe, a few generations of puppies.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Thanks Frances, you've saved me from being a complete cultural ignoramus. Now that Son No 2 is back at university one of my main cultural sources has disappeared and I didn't know what to make of the Pudsey references I saw on Facebook. I thought they were talking about the Children in Need bear! Glad to have that cleared up. But I'm depressed that a dog won BGT...
ReplyDeleteAlis, I wasn't following BGT. Just happened upon Pudsey and heard he'd won. I just think all that glitz and noise and hysteria is awful. Young Musuician was such an understated contrast, and such a treat!
DeleteI do agree, Frances - those young musicians should have lots more publicity, but 'twas ever thus (probably).
ReplyDeleteOh, and Alis - I know exactly what you mean about your children saving you from being a cultural ignoramus! My son currently sets me right on music and my daughter on books - not to mention developments in fashion that I really ought to take note of (I'm 53 and once I like a style, tend to stick to it, but that tends to be for about the next five years!)
Biddy, thanks!
DeleteNever heard of Pudsey until just now, here on your blog... And couldn't there be a rule that BGT is only for human participants?
ReplyDeleteEveryone who knows me knows that I do love animals, and very much so, but there is a limit...
Meike, it's not just the dog winning, but the sheer lack of interest in Young Musucian. So sad.
DeleteI think both programmes show just how much unknown talent there is in Britain - and I don't mean the animal kind (cute as Pudsey was)! As well as those young musicians, BGT had its fair share of amazing young people and I hope it brings them to light.
ReplyDeleteWhat worries me is the focus on the popular and the glamour, Rosemary? Of course the contestants in BGT were talented, but there's another kind of talent that seems to pass almost unnoticed.
DeleteLike Alis, I saw headlines about Pudsey and thought Children In Need had come round six months early.
ReplyDeleteMe too, Keith!
DeleteFrances, the world is upside down crazy. I love dogs (okay, not as much as I love cats and Titch, but I love all animals) but, still, the power and influence of shows like BGT and Big Brother etc are scary in that they've raised ridiculousness to new heights when gifted gifted people like the young cellist hardly earn a mention. We live in a world that lacks grace and elegance. Sad.
ReplyDeleteJudy, South Africa
I totally agree, Judy!
DeleteI see your point but I guess the musicians are glad they're not dogs, you know :) classical music is supposed to be in a sharp decline, and I do think there are fewer classical concerts than there used to be even 10 years ago.
ReplyDeleteTrue, Jenny. Which is why the young musicians need all the publicity they can get!
DeleteI have never seen any of the 'has talent' programmes even though in NZ they show more countries 'have talent' than I thought existed. Nor had I never heard of Pudsey (not even the Children in Need one) until this post. Nor, as it happens, did I see the final of the Young Musician of the Year although I have followed it in the past (I have almost completely missed all TV since I got back to the UK). The difference is that the young musicians will probably have long and hopefully rewarding careers whereas Pudsey will be a one week wonder (but will probably earn its owner more than the three musicians will earn in a lifetime unless they are exceptionally lucky). Such is our society.
ReplyDeleteVery true, GB!
ReplyDeleteThe likes of BGT seem to be for those who want instant fame. The winners of such shows seem to be gimmicks or those who have something about them that gains public sympathy (stammers, overweight with dodgy hair, teased as a kid, all three of those) People who have nothing but their talent seem to have to work hard for a long time in order to gain any success.
ReplyDeletePatsy, I'm sure ou're right. What worries me is all the mental breakdowns that are bound to occur among the rejected/disapopinted. I do hope they receive some kind of after-sales help!
ReplyDelete