And a Child Shall Lead Them

So, by now you’ve probably heard about the new kid on the block in Seattle. Alexander Prior, no relation to the comedian but a crazy connection to the world of method acting, is just 17 but apparently no joke. His great-great grandfather was Stanislavsky, the famous founder of a system from which method acting was derived. The British lad apparently has a deep enough well of personal musical experience from which to draw for his own emotional connection to the music, as Stanislavsky would say, to seek “theatrical truth” with his more than 40 works including symphonies, operas and a requiem.

Some would disagree. The UK’s Telegraph on-line calls him, “insufferably cocksure”. That’s what you call a proper British snub.

The next "Dude?"

Nevertheless, the British musical prodigy has joined the conducting staff at the Seattle Symphony. Prior’s limited duties begin in January and continue into the early summer. His role has been described by the CBC as a “behind-the-scenes role – assisting guest conductors who come to Seattle as part of the orchestra’s search for a music director.”

The special “Chairman’s Fellow” position Prior assumes was created by Symphony Board Chair Leslie Jackson Chihuly, who crowed, “We are thrilled to have such a promising young conductor as Alex Prior joining our conducting team. His work will be an asset to us, and we look forward to nurturing his artistic development.”

Prior is also one of 12 participants in the International Gustav Mahler Conducting Competition in Bamberg, Germany, in February — the same competition which spotlighted the now acclaimed (wildly popular) conductor Gustavo Dudamel and brought his name to international attention. Is Prior the next “Dude?” Time will tell.

Prior made his British conducting debut with the National Symphony Orchestra in March 2007 and has conducted major orchestras in Europe. In terms of some kind of steady gig, nothing was immediately available. His Russian-born mother Elena, a former actress, said, “He applied everywhere in England and nobody wanted him. After people found out that he had got an appointment in America, orchestras here started ringing.” Now that’s what you call a proper Yank comeuppance.

Once can only think that with all of the perennial hand-wringing in classical music circles over an aging audience, to see a teen take the podium with a major orchestra would only help lure younger concert attendees. I applaud the Seattle Symphony for their enlightened “Campus Club Membership” program where college students can attend a performance for $10. Bravo! Now, with some performances under Prior’s baton, let’s see them lower that price incentive to include high school students.

Onward.

Seattle Symphony’s Official Press Release

Alexander Prior’s Official Website

About Jack Allen

Jack Allen is a self-proclaimed dreamer, raconteur, rapscallion and radio guy. He got his start in radio, a second career, in 1992 at WMRA in Harrisonburg, Virginia. The broadcasting ethers have carried him through stints in St. Paul and Austin. He can now be found leading the team at All Classical Public Media, KQAC in Portland, Oregon.

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