Alex Prior (1992- ), musical prodigy, he is both a composer and conductor. Winner of the second prize at the International Sergei Prokofiev Competition for Composers.
In St Petersburg, the winners of the Fifth International Sergei Prokofiev Competition of Composers were announced. The first prize went to a 30-year-old resident of St Petersburg, Nikolai Mazhara. This is his second victory at the Sergei Prokofiev Competition. He studied at the St Petersburg Conservatory, and in 2004, he won in the category “piano”. As is well-known, the competition is held in three categories: piano, symphony conducting, and composition. This year, St Petersburg plays host to the competition of conductors and composers. The second prize went to the youngest participant in the composers’ competition, 15-year-old Alex Prior, who many see as a sensation. He has both Russian and English ancestors, and he came from Great Britain to study at the St Petersburg Conservatory. He competed in both categories, composition and conducting. The third place is shared by 35-year-old Italian composer Andrea Nosari and 60-year-old Vladimir Kobekin, professor of the Urals Conservatory in Russia. There is no age limit at the competitions. Among the laureates is 65-year-old Tajik musician Firuz Bakhor. According to Rodion Shchedrin, “Firuz Bakhor is one of the brightest figures in our composers’ community. He worthily presents his country’s music to the world”. A jury member from Poland, Sigmund Krause, believes that Maestro Bakhor manages to skilfully combine in his composition the stylistic peculiarities of Bach’s music with Tajik national tradition.
So, the winners among the composers were announced. Shortly, the competition of conductors shall begin. Competitors arrived from 23 countries, including Great Britain, Germany, Spain, the United States, Japan, and China. Practically all of them are well-known musicians at home and hope to win international recognition if they are a success in St Petersburg. Final results of the Fifth International Sergei Prokofiev Competitions will be announced on 22 June.
The Prokofiev Competition is amongst major international music competitions in Russia, it is held within the framework of the World Federation of International Music Competitions under the aegis of UNESCO. It was founded in 1991 to mark the centenary anniversary of the birth of Russian classical composer Sergei Prokofiev. Since then, it is regularly held in St Petersburg, where the composer studied and lived for many years.
27 May 2008
Larissa Roshchina
Voice of Russia World Service
http://www.ruvr.ru/main.php?lng=eng&q=27554&cid=62&p=27.05.2008 (in English)
