good god why would i want anything else
Starting from the beginning, their grip on the bow is too wide. It is more noticeable on the right, but this habit shows that they are attempting to generate tone in an improper manner. They can move the bow more consistently and create better tone by narrowing their grip. You can't see it in the still image, but the grip is also very rigid. Likely from nervousness, they are holding on very tight when everything should be more relaxed. This holds true even for the intensity they are going for in the style of the song.
The problems with the bow hand I said before are a bit clearer in this shot. You can also see that the hand doing the fingering is flexing inward, which is leading to very sharp and inconsistent vibrato. I tend to have this habit. With the thumb pushing like that, his fingerings are more likely to be less accurate and the vibrato will suffer. Again, his hands and fingers are tense and rigid, which shouldn't happen in any style.
The song isn't technically difficult, so the notes and rhythms line up pretty well, and the remainder is the slides and sul ponticello and whatnot.
They are still learning and aren't professional musicians yet, but they still went out and performed for people, and the judges recognized they have potential. Re-read the rest of my post. The judges know they aren't as good as professional musicians, they know that they aren't world-class acts. They see that they have the ability and courage to play, and inspire them to continue by putting them through to the next round. I honestly can't believe you two brats are honestly getting upset that the audience clapped and cheered for two aspiring musicians. Pathetic.The difference is being shot-down in front of the whole world vs being critiqued in private lessons with an instructor. These are two young boys who are still young with their instrument. Getting BTFO by the judges over a whole bunch of technical imperfections isn't going to encourage them. "There are people who are uncanny, who are finished products at a young age. I wasn't, thank God.” That's a quote from Itzhak Perlman, an actual masterclass musician who recognizes that young kids are supposed to sound like young kids. Someone who understands that people who have been playing longer will sound better, and that young kids aren't going to be technically perfect. Someone who understands that it takes time for talent to grow.But it demonstrates potential, which is what the judges saw. You're upset that they didn't show talent, but it's not like they won the competition. They aren't getting awarded anything. I don't see why you, as a "experienced cellist", are trying to say they don't have talent. Do you want to show off that you know more? Do you want to boast about your superiority? Because that's what I get from this thread, especially it's title.
The point is that they need to look to other outlets to improve and refine if that's what they want to do. They have to know that a program like this is not the way to expand their potential. Itzhak Perlman didn't get to where he was today by being evaluated from a panel like this, he built himself up to a level of high talent from where he made mainstream appearances. Please stop regurgitating this garbage, this show it about talent and the talent wasn't presented in the act.