A Review of Katrina Protsenko's Greatest Hits

This is for Angela Hepworth's Music Challenge! There are still a few days left to participate, so if you would like to, please read the requirements here. Also note that her name is Karolina, not Katrina, apologies for the quick typo.

The essence of youth. That's what the music of young busker-turned Youtube magnet Karolina Protsenka embraces. The young teen does absolute wonders on the violin, and then some.

This talent and youthful grace of this young prodigy has made many a teenager learn to love what is traditionally an eschewed instrument - the violin. This young lady literally makes it sing.

So, who is she? For those of us who may not be too familiar with her, the Ukrainian Karolina was born in Kiev and spent some of her young life there before moving with her family to Simi Valley, California, in 2014. She honed her musical skills at the Coburn School in Los Angeles before becoming a star of the Third Street Promenade in 2017. Since then, her recordings on Youtube and Instagram have garnered a following that many content and music creators would envy. The prodigious youngster had the honour of being interviewed by Hollywood comedienne and talk show host, Ellen Degeneres.

The young Ukranian has been so successful at busking and performing that she's actually produced an album of her greatest hits.

My first impressions after listening are that it is Latin infused, with the sultry, synchopated beats that characterise Latin music. It is also sexy, if seductive dance music like Lambada is anything to go by. The music has a definite positive vibe, with the addition of Sunflower, which makes one think of sunflowers dancing in the fields - yes, Wordsworth and daffodils worthy. She also does not include other artists in this album, owing to her young age. She does do so in her later performances on Youtube, and they do her justice with their guitar and saxophone renditions.

This young girl has confidence that many adults would envy. Consider that these tracks are all live recordings of her busking - there is little margin for error. Adults like us may find it a little difficult to emulate that. The delivery of each note is practically flawless - Vanessa Mae would gladly consider this young lady a proud friend.

Karolina's music is also engaging ; I did not feel for one minute that I was listening to the typical legato strains of a violin. Granted, the album includes live recordings of her tunes, but they are all of remarkable quality, all considered. Each of the tracks has the positive ring of youth, including the rather ponderous My Heart Will Go On. One does hope that the tune, well, will go on.

This young girl shows astounding versatility for her age. She delivers a sensitive, emotional rendition of gospel tune Hallelujah, abruptly contrasted with the naughty nature of the next track, Bad Guy. She showcases Celine Dion's My Heart Will Go On with much sensitivity, very laudable for someone of her age - Celine released the song way before she was born. Going back further, the young Katrina plays Maroon 5's Memories, a 70s tune that was probably difficult to relate to as she practiced.

Karolina's youth comes as a surprise, considering the tracks she carefully chooses to add to her album. One imagines Elvis serenading him with Can't Help Falling In Love - this was from an era the young Gen Z member might consider Jurassic. Still, her violin paints it with much sensitivity.

This may be a personal preference, but I was hoping that she would fill the tracks with tunes that can replace Sunflower and, perhaps, Dance Monkey. More popular offerings would mean a better connection with her audience.

Although Karolina's playing is flawless, the notes still need a little depth. Chalk this up to youth - again, the violinist may have been about 10 years of age when she released this album.

In all, the young prodigy has compiled what is a thoroughly delightful, albeit youthful, selection of violin pieces. Do enjoy these tracks.