Vanessa Mae

I just finished watching a programme following Vanessa Mae as she went through as series of tests devised by doctors, psychologists, musicologists etc. Their purpose was to determine whether the virtuoso violinist was born with her prodigious talent, or whether she subsequently acquired it - the old nature vs nurture debate.

Because of the bad feeling that now exists between herself and her mother/former mentor - they no longer communicate - la Mae said at the outset she thought the balance was 25% nature - i.e. her own innate ability, and 25% nurture - i.e. her mother making her practice. However by the end of the investigation she agreed that the balance had shifted. It would appear that her success is 50% nature and 50% nurture approximately. If that is correct then the same probably applies to other great child prodigies such as Mozart.

What was perhaps more interesting was that Vanessa Mae scored very highly in being 1) extravert (whereas successful classical musicians are normally introverted); in being 2) open to experience, and in being 3) conscientious. These then are the combination of attributes needed by free-spirited high fliers, although whether this applies in all cases is less certain.

In the programme Vanessa Mae came across as articulate, intelligent, and of course enormously talented. Personally, I would probably admire her more if she had stuck to the more serious side of classical music, instead of going the dumbed-down route. If she had, she would probably now enjoy more critical acclaim. But her talent was never in doubt; she's had a great time, and no doubt she has money in the bank. So who can blame her? I think Wolfgang Amadeus - who lived and loved life to the full himself - would have entirely approved of her.

Vanessa Mae - 50% born brilliant, and 50% being made to practice by her mother.