The World's Greatest Musical Prodigies

The Performances

Exclusive

Alex in concert

Wednesday 24 June 2009

Velesslavitsa was composed and conducted by Alexander Prior with the Northern Sinfonia and Zhang Xiaoming (age 10) on piano, Michael Province (age 13) on violin, Simone Porter (age 12) on violin, and Nathan Chan (age 15) on cello.







Comments

Your Comments

Post your comment

Please note: In order to post a comment you need to be registered and logged in to Channel 4:

Sign In Here or Register Here

Comments closed

Comments are closed at the present time

Your comments

Post your comment
By posting on this website you are agreeing to abide by our Comments Policy.
Mandatory Fields are marked with *
Your Comment (Maximum characters: 4000) *
You have

Comments

Thank you for your comment!

Your message will be reviewed and the best ones will be published below.

If you intended to make an official comment to Channel 4 please contact us.

Comments

  1. I don't know what they were talking about! Michaels piece was so GREAT!! And on top of it he felt the music soooooooooooooooooooo much! Even down to his funny facial expressions! Twas GREAT!!!! But where are the other performance's from CHINA!!!!????????
    Posted by Dre on 05/08/2009 22:16:39
    Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment
  2. The video of Nathan playing his own musical piece is just amazing! I've played it to loads of friends and family and they all agree! So beautifully melodic!
    Posted by Dean on 30/07/2009 12:45:38
    Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment
  3. I don't think I ever enjoyed a series of tv programmes more than "Prodigies".........I do hope there will be a DVD of the whole series...I will certainly want to buy several copies for myself and for presents
    Posted by Herbert on 20/07/2009 23:42:04
    Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment
  4. Well it's a very good composition; i do feel the beginning dragged on abit for myself, personaly. I shall give this piece a 8/10 but that is me being critical.
    Posted by TEDDS on 03/07/2009 19:34:27
    Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment
  5. We were at the actual concert and was blown away by the professionalism of the young peopole concerned and could not wait for the TV programmes to be broadcast. Thank you Channel 4 for the programme which has given us an insight into the lives and dedication of these young people and their families. Please do more of these programmes.
    Posted by Kathleen Marley on 27/06/2009 13:47:29
    Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment
  6. for me that was best. What a talent.. best thing l have ever seen on tv, Alex was fantastic.I think lm falling in love with Alex. lm serious.....
    Posted by daisy on 26/06/2009 17:16:55
    Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment
  7. As a 76-year old I was completely bowled over by these marvellous young people and I loved the composition - it affected me very deeply. It is an affirmation of the extraordinary power of the human spirit. Please make the DVD available soon!
    Posted by june on 25/06/2009 22:49:01
    Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment
  8. Very impressive program. I wish that we could get more of this kind of stuff. Is there any CDs I could buy or DVDs? Thank you again for this very emotional and fantastic time.
    Posted by Gilbert LE PLAY on 25/06/2009 18:34:07
    Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment
  9. I note that a CD will be available, but could CH4 not make the videos of the performance available on DVD? I would buy it and so would very many others, I'm sure. And I think that says quite clearly what I think of the music and these talented young people.
    Posted by PJR on 25/06/2009 11:34:29
    Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment
  10. Superb series. Thank you, ITV, for something culturally exciting to set against the acultural dross on most TV channels most of the time. Please may we have more programmes like this. We should all be grateful that, with such talented youngsters as this, there will be a strong cadre of musicians to play the established works of the classical repertoire and new works like Alexander Prior's. As for 'Velesslavitsa' - what does it mean, by the way? - I am not qualified to post an appreciation. However, I thought Giselle Brodsky's reassessment of the music and of Alexander was significant. I wonder what dear Irene Haendel thought of the work and of the performance of the violinist she did not want Alexander to select?
    Posted by clive anthony greenwood on 24/06/2009 23:43:18
    Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment
  11. Best thing I have ever seen on Channel 4. I am so excited to get the recording of this so I can listen to it all the time. They were all fantastic especially MICHAEL and Alex of course and Xiaoming. All of them really :) I hope Channel 4 does more series like this and Alex keeps composing like this!
    Posted by Verity Krall on 24/06/2009 20:51:34
    Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment
  12. I absolutely love this piece, i watched the series and thought it was great to. The kids were brilliant, i wish i could play like that! (i play the piano) i think im getting there, few more years and i might be as good as that. Best wishes to all the musicians and Alex who is just brilliant!
    Posted by Charlie Perriss on 24/06/2009 18:53:21
    Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment
  13. Absolutely blown away, especially by Nathan Chan! All of them were Brilliant, i'm astounded by their talent!
    Posted by Deano on 24/06/2009 12:10:27
    Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment
  14. An inspiring program, concentrated on the music and the process and didn't leave much room for mind numbing repetetive narrations, shallow trivial issues or american style drama - BRILLIANT! Well done, enormous respect to the prodigies, the final piece was unbelievable. Going to play it to my class of Y1/FS2 children tomorrow. Cheers Richard Brown
    Posted by Mr Brown on 24/06/2009 11:24:26
    Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment
  15. I was a bit disappointed with the final composition given the hype. I think he was overly ambitious to write a concerto for four soloists - one/two/three would have been more appropriate. Regarding the work as a whole, I feel it lacks unity. Certain passages are very effective but the changes in style are too capricious. One moment the style is late romantic, then C20th, and then like film music. The 2nd movement is strongest by far - the other two are mediocre. I think he (the composer) is one for the future, provided he takes a dose of humility, knuckles down, and works at it. As a series I have enjoyed it - probably one of the most cultural things channel 4 have had on for a while. Here's to more programs like this, and less to those like Big Brother!
    Posted by Dan on 23/06/2009 23:09:40
    Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment
  16. Nearest thing to orchestral jazz ... Tremendous! The piece, the performances, and the personalities, all outstanding. I think most would agree that Alex picked very wisely. Congratulations all round.
    Posted by Gerry Lennon on 23/06/2009 23:09:02
    Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment
  17. This is just womderful! Agree with the previous suggestion - please broadcast this in its entirety on prime time television - this is one of the best programmes Channel 4 has ever done, congratulations!
    Posted by on 23/06/2009 18:04:34
    Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment
  18. I was blown away! Awesome piece Alex.
    Posted by Bezzie on 23/06/2009 15:30:15
    Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment
  19. What remarkable young people! I was moved to tears by it all. Impossible to pick out anyone in particularb but I liked Zhang Xiaoming, a very charming young man. The composition was riveting Alex, great well done It would be wonderful to have a DVD.
    Posted by Ray on 23/06/2009 15:10:24
    Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment
  20. Fantastic ! I have just watched the 3 movements of Velesslavitsa with such admiration. PLEASE broadcast this in its entirety on prime time television so that as many people as possible - especially young people - hear this music and can be inspired by these fabulous superb young musicians! Heartfelt congratulations to Alex, Michael, Simone, Zhang and Nathan on their astoundingly exciting AWESOME performances ! Thank you Channel 4 for such a wonderful series - please show more programmes like this celebrating music and the arts !
    Posted by Gill on 23/06/2009 15:07:17
    Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment
  21. Wonderful. And will Prior's piece be available on CD?
    Posted by Marketa on 23/06/2009 13:21:56
    Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment
  22. good news everyone - there will be a DVD release of the concerto! Will post you details on Channel4.com soon. Thanks for your enthusiastic comments. I will pass these on to Alex. Jan (Commissioning Editor)
    Posted by Jan Younghusband on 23/06/2009 12:23:53
    Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment
  23. Please, please, release a DVD of the whole performance.
    Posted by Tim Burrell on 23/06/2009 10:49:15
    Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment
  24. What a fantastic series, The children were amazing as was Alex, what an amazing young man for someone so young still. I`ll pay to see him conduct his works. He should be a mentor for all young budding musicians. Well done Alex
    Posted by ceinwen on 23/06/2009 09:11:11
    Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment
  25. I enjoyed watching the 3 episodes and the repeat on channel 4 website as well as the solo performance by all the young musician in the compeition. Not only did they play brilliantly, they displayed so much passion in music and energy in life. I hope more young people will be encouraged to take up music after watching this. Aristo, Oliver and Anna, you are great musicians too. Dont be discouraged. You will have your turn soon.
    Posted by lovurmusic on 23/06/2009 01:33:56
    Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment
  26. Such an exciting and emotional performance, superbly filmed. I hope we can see and hear more of these lovely folk as they develop. I hope the video will be released.
    Posted by SimonDundas on 23/06/2009 01:08:09
    Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment
  27. Classical Music Prodigies..Fantastic!! Where can I obtain a recording of the piece 'Velesslavitsa' please? Please repeat the programme a.s.a.p
    Posted by T.Tichardson on 22/06/2009 23:58:05
    Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment
  28. fantastic piece of music. what a masterpiece. it will go down in history as will Alex and the prodigies. i hope he attempts this again. Fantastic job.
    Posted by xXStephy150692Xx on 22/06/2009 23:23:31
    Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment
  29. AMAZING! :D
    Posted by LottyStapleton on 22/06/2009 23:01:57
    Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment
  30. why can`t I display this programme on ful screen?
    Posted by peter on 22/06/2009 22:23:31
    Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment
  31. Truly inspirational! I hope they are all going to be back to perform at the Proms this year. Where can I buy the CD please?
    Posted by Wendy on 22/06/2009 22:23:21
    Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment

Last on:

Monday 22 June

9PM, Channel 4

Advertisement

Skip Channel4 main Navigation
Explore Channel4
Food
Homes
Film
4Car
News
See All

Channel 4 © 2009. Channel 4 is not responsible for the content of external websites.