"Impressiveness" ? Arabesque No. 1

[magic_sonata]

I have a friend (who is 12 years old) and she is learning Arabesque No. 1 by Debussy. When she performs this at a recital, she will be 13. She is wondering if it will still be considered impressive, even though she is 13 and not 12.

Thank you to all who answers,

magic_sonata and my friend

[awesom_o]

If she plays it really well, as in, better than most professionals, it will be extremely impressive.

If she plays it badly, like most 12-year-olds who play it, it won't be impressive at all.

It all just depends on the quality of expression in her tone.

[justgatsby]

I don't understand why you think it could possibly be impressive at 12 but not 13. I mean, a 5 year old playing it might be more impressive than a thirteen year old (i.e. how is that five year old doing that...) but otherwise, age isn't really an important factor at all.

A 60 year old could play it and be extremely impressive in a much more important way (musical and expressive); the same can be said of any age.

[j_menz]

You tell me.....

[pianoman53]

What's impressive depends on the listener, no?

[musickid10]

I performed Debussy's arabesque no. 1 when I was 14, and everyone was always wow-ed because the piece alone is stunning, and I worked my butt off to play it well. If she plays it well, that piece is incredibly captivating and impressive. 13 is not "too old" for that piece, I don't think you should feel as if it's not a "wow" piece. Getting the right tone quality is not easy