How do you become the chief conductor of an orchestra? If you follow in Alexander Prior’s footsteps, you’ll have started composing at age 8 and graduated with two masters’ degrees by age 17, with your works already being performed around the world. After guest-conducting the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra several times, you’ll become their chief conductor at only 24. Meet Alexander Prior…
How did your love of music develop?
Music is impossible not to love. It’s just always been part of my life, and I wish so very dearly for everyone to have the chance to experience music—including symphonic music—at the very highest level, especially at an early age. An orchestra is a service in a community, not a luxury, similar to the police force or ambulances. To be a healthy and happy community, one must have, amongst other things, great music, great opera, ballet, museums, etc.
What’s your favourite piece to conduct?
Sometimes a beloved piece is more rewarding to hear as an audience member than to conduct, and sometimes a piece I don’t particularly like is actually great fun to perform. That said, there are clear contenders: Bruckner’s 9th Symphony, any Wagner opera at all, the Nordic and Russian repertoire that I have lived with since earliest childhood… If you put me in a corner and make me choose, in the end it always comes to Wagner.
What do you recommend to people who are new to the city?
I love welcoming people to Edmonton! My first recommendation—obviously I’m biased, but I think it’s more than fair—is the Winspear and our Edmonton Symphony. The ESO is an absolutely world-class team producing outstanding, touching, meaningful art that one simply needs. We have such a great music scene in general. So many dedicated and passionate choirs, the opera, great bands, and popular-music singers… And a visit to Edmonton isn’t complete without a visit to Bistro Praha. It’s the very best kind of European-style service and is simply part of the city’s DNA now.
Find upcoming concerts & events at the Winspear Centre here!
