Classical Star - new BBC2 TV series 16 Oct 2007

[Dave]

graemek said:

dave said:

Can this be viewed outside the UK, anyone?
Cheers, Dave

No Dave,

The not available outside UK note came up next to the viewer screen.

Graeme

Thanks Graeme, now read on

Classical Star Episode 1 (preliminary selections, 18 down to 9)

Classical star Episode 2 (Academy, 9 down to 7)

Classical Star Episode 3 (Academy, 7 down to 5)

This is for any our illustrious overseas members who may wonder what all the fuss is about. Files are from the BBC website, 250 kbps, they all last for one hour and are about 100 MB each if you want to download them!

Quick, get 'em before Roger sees what I've done (shhhh!!!!)

Dave

[Paddy]

(shhhh!!!!)

Thank you, Dave!


From one "illustrious (?) overseas member".


Now you know what has me up at this hour.


Paddy

(shhhh!!!!)

[graemek]

Hi Dave,

One down 2 to go

Graeme....many thanks.

[roger]

dave said:

Quick, get 'em before Roger sees what I've done (shhhh!!!!)

Roger

[roger]

Reminder:

Episode 4 tonight - BBC2 at 9pm

Roger

[Stephany]

Thanks for the reminder, Roger. I hope that the student I'm supporting now (Sophie) will have more luck than the one I supported last week (Jeanine).

Stephany

[Dave]

Hello Classical star fans!

If you live un the UK, the semi-final (and all previous episodes) can be viewed here at the BBC

If you live outside the UK, you can watch it here (for previous episodes, see higher up the thread):

Classical star Episode 4 (Academy, 5 down to 3 - semi-final)

Cheers, Dave

[dazza]

Hi Everybody,

Before I started watching it this programme I was a bit apprehensive, as i don't really watch programs like these for many reasons.

But I was pleasantly surprised and I find it very interesting and informative, especially I think from my point of view as a reletivley new fan of classical music.

There is also some real talent and huge potential there, rather than people just wanting to be famous, which makes a refreshing change for shows like this.

The only slight issue I have is the way that the judging is conducted, as they seem to be concentrating on marketable value as well as talent where although I can understand it, in my opinion it should be about the music and the performance, if the music is good enough that is all the marketable value they need to be a success. I am not going to go into it too much though as I know it is a very difficult job for the judges.

Overall though I am finding it a very enjoyable watch. I have had my favorites throughout the programme, although my money is on Sophie, I have liked her all the way through but think that she is getting better and stronger with each show. I think that it is going to be extremely close between her and Ian. I'm backing Sophie.

I hope that there are going to be more series of this

Dazza

[Stephany]

Hi everybody!

Episode 4 of 'Classical Star' was particularly heartbreaking because the five contestants were all extremely good. Karen and Sophie rightfully deserved to reach the finals. I understand why being a basoonist may be considered as a 'disadvantage' but Karen shows so much passion when she plays!! She does not have to carry it as a burden - on the contrary - she can be really proud of her instrument.

Tyler has an incredible potential but the pressure was probably too strong. I'm sad for him but I understand why the judges didn't let him go through the finals. Tough choice between Ian and Emily. Ian has radically changed and improved so much since he has joined the academy but Emily has too - I thought she really showed a lot more enthusiasm than at the start. She used to be devastated when she made mistakes but she now seemed to let go a little bit. I didn't envy the judges on this one - tough, very tough decision.

Look forward to seeing the last episode! I like the three contestants but I'm still rooting for Sophie. Karen would be my second choice!

Best wishes,
Stephany

[Steve H]

Hi Folks,

I am getting addicted to this one, I was a bit disappointed that Emily did not make it to the last three.

I think Steve A has really blossomed in this role, he started off quite subdued, but now he is clearly enjoying it, and making a real difference in the decision making process - well done Steve A!

Steve H

[Stephany]

stevehome said:

Steve A has really blossomed in this role, he started off quite subdued, but now he is clearly enjoying it, and making a real difference in the decision making process - well done Steve A!

Hi Steve,

I absolutely agree with you. It even seems to me that Steve A. is the one who takes the final decision because no matter how technically good the students are, what really comes into account now is their 'marketability' potential and more importantly how they interact with their partners and audience.

Stephany

[roger]

stevehome said:

I was a bit disappointed that Emily did not make it to the last three.

Me too, Steve. I pciked her out as a second favourite (after Jeanine) right from the start. I really thought she had a good chance of making it to the final but, alas, it was not to be.

Good luck to the three survivors!

Roger

[Dave]

Hello Roger, Stephany, Steve and everyone!

I agree that it is a pity Emily did not make the final, I think on talent, potential and personality, she did deserve to (perhaps in place of Ian, excellent though he is but i'm not sure if he is yet ready for the job he would have to do).

However, Emily's problem was, as it has been from the start... Sophie. Sophie is for my money a quite exceptional pianist and while she may not yet be as outgoing or personable as Emily, that is something she will probably overcome as she gets more used to being in the limelight. Unfortunately, I suspect that the organisers and judges may have decided they could not have two pianists out of three finalists as that would make it lacking in variety for a TV show. But for Sophie, I believe Emily would have had a very good chance of winning this. However, if Sophie plays as well in the final as in past weeks, I think (and hope) she will win. Subject to the slight caveat over personality, I think she has it all - her piano playing excites me and not many pianists (Lang Lang is one) can do that!

Karen and Ian are very good too and would also make worthy winners, I just think Sophie has that extra bit of sparkle in her performances and she is certainly strong minded when she needs to be - as shown when she stuck to her guns when the accompanists tried to get her to slow down the tempo... and she wouldn't; that was a great bit of TV! i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif And from a record company's point of view (expressed by Steve Abbott) Sophie may be a safer bet as her instrument is more mainstream than the other two, even more so than Ian's classical guitar. Karen's biggest problem will be in overcoming the handicap of playing a non-mainstream instrument, the bassoon.

My prediiction to win: Sophie... but you never can be sure with these things!

Cheers, Dave

[Stephany]

Hi Dave,

Thank you for your very interesting analysis.

dave said:

My prediiction to win: Sophie... but you never can be sure with these things!

I agree...especially because this time I believe that the audience is also voting!

Stephany

[roger]

dave said:

Unfortunately, I suspect that the organisers and judges may have decided they could not have two pianists out of three finalists as that would make it lacking in variety for a TV show.

I suspect you may be right there, Dave, and for the sake of a television programme, that would be the right decision. However, each competitor should be judged on merit, regardless of the line-up in the final. If that results in two pianists then so be it.

Of the five who we saw this week, I would have chosen (in no particular order) Sophie, Emily and Ian.

Roger