Oliver Aldort
2009 News & Reviews
Oliver Aldort: Astonishment
Claude Gingras, La Presse
For the moment, the question is not whether Oliver Aldort is a great pianist or a great cellist. Based on what we heard yesterday afternoon, this 15 year old boy from Seattle, doesn’t have to worry about his future whether he chooses the piano or the cello.
The immediate impression of the listener is one of complete astonishment. With a piano he wasn’t familiar with (it was his first contact with a Bösendorfer) and with a cello he borrowed from a colleague from Ottawa (to minimize the cost of transportation), the young Aldort played an hour and a half of completely memorized music, showing an absolute mastery of both instruments and above all a focus, a musicality and a maturity that were not those of a beginner but of an experienced interpreter instead. All this at only 15 years of age From the technical point of view, there are almost no negative things to point out. No wrong notes on the piano part, and almost a lapse of memory (note almost), and a couple slight squeaks from the cello (remember that it wasn’t his cello). Whether he is playing the piano or the cello, the young Aldort reach the instrument musical capacities, exploiting every note from the lowest to the hightest.
From the entire program, I most remember the exceptional unity that he gives to the fifth Suite for Solo Cello by Bach and the independence/autonomy? of both of his hands which gives so much contrasts to the first movement of the Sonata Op 111 by Beethoven. I would also like to commend the young Yen-Yen Gee for her impeccable playing especially in the Schubert’s Arpeggione.
The event drew a hundred people - a sunny Father’s Day afternoon. There were two encores: a Mendelssohn and a Chopin. This recital opened the new Revelation concert series by Daniel Poulin.
OLIVER ALDORT, pianist and cellist. At the piano: Yen-Yen Gee. Yesterday afternoon, Chapelle historique du Bon-Pasteur. Presentation: Revelation.
-Pierre Suignard
The greatest musical prodigies, UK, national TV, articles and reactions:
An email from one of the two professional advisons:
Dear Naomi:
I have watched the program again and Oliver's playing is riveting, the true musicians of the world know that, make no mistake.
I am relieved that the reaction to the film is so wonderful and Alex problems are so obvious, he was terribly intimidated by Oliver's musical power.
Giselle Brodsky
Email to Ms. Brodsky
Dear Giselle,
Having just watched 'The World's Greatest Prodigies' on Channel 4 in the UK, I am writing to express my amazement at Alexander Prior's arrogance and total lack of musical discernment concerning the playing of young Oliver. I normally do not write emails like this, but it was obvious to us that Oliver was by far the most sensitive and wonderfully expressive musician auditioning. I was appalled at the way he was treated by that rather objectionable young composer. Please tell him to pay no attention to the young upstart; Oliver has a wonderful understanding of the composer's intentions and communicates this brilliantly to the audience.
Best wishes,
Deborah Davies M.A.(Mus.Psych.); ARCM (Organ playing); Dip.Mus.Tch.; B.Ed; music teacher, organist, conductor of choirs and orchestras.
Geoffrey Davies Mus.Doc; LRAM...............Professional bass soloist, music teacher, conductor.
Channel 4 TV comments:
ETRUSCA on June 9, 2009 at 10:21
Thank you for this programme. All the children were extremely good. The harpist was an amazing young musician, but the name I will certainly remember from the first part of the series is that of Oliver Aldort, who may easily become a new Rostropovich. Sadly, Alex Prior did not recognize his opportunity to compose for potentially the greatest cellist of the 21st century.
PythagoreanX has posted a comment on your profile:
I watched Channel4's program (in the UK) called 'The World's Greatest Musical Prodigies'. You (Oliver) were emotionally engaged and was the best player in the program. Forget about Alex, the young composer from UK, who put you down with the mean comments. He can't see, or don't wanna see that you are a true musician.
A quote from an article in "The Independent" in UK:
"You don't communicate," he tells the most outstanding cellist, Oliver Aldort, while explaining to his shocked advisers that his reason for not selecting another player is that "he is not charming".
Other Comments:
"Oliver is unquestionably the finest young cello talent I've encountered. His preternatural technical command is nothing short of breath-taking. But it is the emotional breadth of his refined lyricism and astounding musical maturity which sets him apart from all other performers, whether prodigies or seasoned professionals. His uncontrived music-making bespeaks a singular sincerity which will most assuredly move and inspire audiences for years to come. I feel privileged to have heard him. "
- Robert Bardston, Cellist
Medicine Hat College
Canada
"This is a remarkable talent, the likes of which we may hear only once in a lifetime."
- Prof. Talmon Hertz from the University of Calgary
in a phone message to a colleague; Prof. Hertz is the head of the International committee for chamber music throughout the world
Oliver's ensemble work is excellent -- he listens, he responds and is musically informed.
- Willard Schultz, Pianist, Seattle WA