Compared to those of over 30 years ago, the young classical musicians of today now play at a higher standard, says one of the greatest pianists of Hong Kong, Gabriel Kwok. This, he says, is all thanks to the internet.
Kwok, a professor and head of keyboard studies at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, states that today’s youngsters can easily get hold of music recordings, either on YouTube or via downloading, compared to when he was young, where the youngsters back then had to buy long-playing vinyl records (LPs) and then CDs.
“It’s now much easier for them to get to know the great masters and understand more about how they play.
“This has improved the standard of classical music in general, especially at the technical level. Today’s youngsters have an amazing technical ability – particularly in China,” adds Kwok, who was awarded the Medal of Honour by Hong Kong’s government in 2014 for his contribution to piano education in the city.
Yet music is not only about technique, he says. “Music must also have a message and reach people’s hearts. So, while their technical side is very good and you could say they have more ability, one’s musical side develops with age.
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