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My teacher used to tell the class not to underestimate the power of song. He is a little eccentric, but he did inspire me to buy my first CD of classical music and I am grateful for that. This music is a lot for us, both mentally and physically.

A CD of classical music is ideal for people of all ages. My investment in the songs was due to a desperate attempt to do through a grueling language course . The history of the French language was a very attractive on paper, but of course it was a nightmare for me to speak.  I feared I would have to drop the class or get a bad grade.

Child prodigies are defined as children who have unusual talents that show great mastery of a certain subject, art or skill. Usually, children under the age of 11 years who show great skill in some areas related to adults are called miracles. Today, scientists are still studying this mystery and try to determine if a product are wonders of genetics or upbringing. I think we can say that it is a combination of both.

A. Wonder Children of the Past

1. Georges Bizet - He attended the Conservatoire de Musique de Paris, before he turned 10.
2. Frédéric Chopin - He composed his Polonaises in G minor, B flat major, and 9 at the age of 7 years.
3. Franz Liszt - He had his first major concert at the age of 11 years.
4. Felix Mendelssohn - He was making public concert appearance  at the age of 9 years.
5. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart - At the age of 5 years, he has already written a little allegro (K. 1b) and andante (K. 1a).
6. Franz Schubert - Start composing before the age of 12 years.

B. Modern Times Music Prodigies

1. Lang Lang - Piano prodigy who began playing the instrument at the age of 3 years.
2. Derek Trucks - He began playing guitar when he was 9 years old.
3. Vanessa Mae - She began playing the violin at the age of 5 years.
4. Yo-Yo Ma - He began playing the instrument when he was 4.
5. Charlotte Church - Vocal prodigy started performing at the age of 3 years.

Paul Anka was born at Ottawa, Ontario Canada on July 30, 1941, of a Lebanese-Canadian descent. At a young age, he already showed an interest in music, he learned to play piano. At 13 he formed his singing group called the Bobbysoxes, and at 14 he is already writing his own songs. Without his mothers knowledge he keeps on joining at the amateur singing contest. At the age of 15, he traveled to Los Angeles hoping of getting an audition. That audition resulted to his first single, the “Blau-Wile Desert Fontaine” under the Modern Records.

In 1957, Anka auditioned at Don Costa from BBC-Paramount Records. Costa was impressed with the young singer’s material including the song “Diana”. Diana was recorded shortly thereafter and it became a big hit making Paul a teen sensation in the late fifties.

Paul also wrote songs for other notable performers such as  Connie Francis, Buddy Holy, Barbra Streisand, Mitch Miller, The Dobbie Brothers, Frank Sinatra “My Way” and Tom Jones “Shes a Lady”.

Paul also appeared on several movies, including The Longes Day for which he wrote the title song that earned him an Academy Award Nomination. Also he wrote the title themes for “No Way Out” and “Atlantic City“. The theme song of The Tonight Show being hosted by Johnny Carson was also his composition. His Italian composition “Ogni Valta” won at the San Remo Song Festival.  During the 1990’s, Paul was made Chevalier of the Order of Arts and Letters in France. He was inducted into Songwritters Hall Of Fame in 1993.

Paul Anka’s Hit Songs includes Lonely Boy, Put Your Head In My Shoulder, Crazy Love, You Are My Destiny, It’s Time To Cry, {You’re} Having My Baby, Puppy Love, One Man Woman/One Woman Man, I Don’t Like To Sleep Alone, Times Of Your Life and Hold Me Till The Morning Comes.