“The latest hot new television creation: A Hungarian talent show for young classical musicians that is on the verge of being replicated around the world,” writes Pablo Gorondi in a Tuesday (4/5) Associated Press story that is circulating widely. “The creators of ‘Virtuosos’ have signed a deal with Dick Clark Productions, the company behind the American Music Awards, to license the format of the successful Hungarian program internationally. Dick Clark Productions said there’s interest in the show from China and Japan and the company is working on a deal with U.S. networks…. In Hungary, the first season of ‘Virtuosos’ was a huge hit for state television in 2014. Recording is underway for its second season.…The 81 participants in the initial rounds came from over 2,200 musicians in three age groups…. This season’s finalists … will have access to Hungary’s National Philharmonic Orchestra…. Future editions of the program aim to discover talents in jazz, world music, conducting and film score composition, among other categories.” Said DCP executive Mark Rafalowski, “There are very few things outside of sports that can attract a multi-generational audience. Youth competitions done right, especially music, are one of those things.”
Posted April 8, 2016
