Bob Kasenchak wrote: >Anyway, the other interesting thing was about Helfgott. The critics >on the show seemed to put him in the same category as the Boccelli's >of the world. Now I admit I missed "Shine" and tried to avoid the >hype, but I always thought the guy was bona fide, so to speak. Is >it popular consensus that he's really second-rate? The "popular" consensus is very much with Helfgott; "informed" consensus is that he should not be performing in public or on record. The fact is that he does not have the right stuff. I wouldn't put Helfgott in the same category as Boccelli. Boccelli is a much better singer than Helfgott is a pianist. I say this with full admiration for what Helfgott has accomplished. However, when I'm listening to a pianist, his personal travails mean little. Don Satz [log in to unmask]