Still more...

When this blog first began, I had not necessarily intended to focus right away on prodigies--and I certainly will cover various other topics as we move along--but sometimes what we create develops a life of its own. (One of my first employers, Dr. Ted Lentz, used to say, "What a person writes often determines what they read", implying that what we create or do acquires the power to affect future actions.) I have found myself over the last few days still contemplating the achievements of prodigies and what they mean for all of us.

While in graduate school, I recall a professor who had read an article about prodigies. The unnamed author of the article noted that prodigies generally develop in one of the following four areas: music, mathematics, foreign languages or chess. Although I have no way of knowing whether that assessment represents a scientific sampling, it seems to have a certain ring of truth. I have also noted that, in music, the overwhelming percentage of prodigies specialize as pianists, violinists or cellists, more rarely as singers, percussionists or wind players. Is that because the piano, violin and cello possess qualities that inherently attract and foster prodigies, or is it because the physical skill needed to play these instruments is more readily developed by youngsters? (I've never felt any of these instruments was user friendly at the beginning!)

Have any of you ever known a child prodigy, or someone of any age who has displayed tremendous skill? It would be interesting to hear what visitors to this site might have to say on the subject. Prodigies are not nearly as rare as one might think--they are born everywhere, and in all sorts of circumstances. Sadly, their adult lives do not always bear the fruit of their early promise. Mozart is an example of a prodigy who did not achieve the same fame in his adulthood as during his childhood, but his fame was restored and magnified over time. By the way, it is not generally realized, but Mozart was not unique. Felix and Fanny Mendelssohn and Saint-Saens, to name but three, displayed similar greatness as children.

Thanks for reading!
Gary