According to the Oxford English Dictionary, a prodigy is "a person endowed with some quality which excites wonder; especially a child of precocious genius." This meaning was first cited in Eveleyn's Diary entry of January 27, 1658.
The history of music is filled with child prodigies including Ludwig van Beethoven, Felix Mendelssohn, Midori, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Itzhak Perlman, Franz Schubert, etc.
One of the themes of the WestportREADS 2007 selected book, The Soloist by Mark Salzman, explores the feelings and passions of a child prodigy whose extraordinary gift is playing the cello. Coincidentally, the February 24, 2007 concert of the Norwalk Symphony Orchestra features three child prodigies, Staples High School cellist Carlyn Kessler, Amity Middle School violinist Jenny Liu, and Chariho Middle School pianist/violinist Ann-Frances Rokosa. These gifted musicians, who were selected by audition during a six-month search, will be heard in the first movement of Pergolesi's Trio Sonata in G Major. Additionally, they will speak about their musical experiences at the pre-concert talk with Norwalk Symphony conductor, Diane Wittry.
The Westport Public Library invites you to read The Soloist and to sample the works that will be performed by the Norwalk Symphony. The program includes Ernest Bloch's Concerto Grosso No. 1, George Frideric Handel's Concerto Grosso Op. 3, No. 2, and Igor Stravinsky's Pulcinella Suite.