Both my daughters play in the local youth orchestra, Symfonia Jong Twente which celebrated its 50th anniversary last weekend by inviting back past members to join in a celebratory concert at the Muziekcentrum in Enschede.
Music for all the ages
A special flashmob of Ode To Joy, from Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 saw past members join members of both the junior and senior orchestras of Symfonia Jong Twente on stage. Young and old standing, side by side and having fun!
Working with professional soloists
The girls were lucky enough to perform the Chausson Poème with the technical wizard and all round amazing violinist, Razvan Stoica. I don’t think I was the only one in the hall who sat in wonder as he performed the Capriccio from Paganini’s Introduction, Theme and Variations on the aria Nel cor piu non mi sento as an encore. Complete respect.
In the UK, it is very often the case that youth orchestras choose soloists from a pool of talented ex-students thus giving students valuable experience performing a concerto with an orchestra, perhaps for the first time. It is interesting to see a different path, and the opportunity for students as young as 14 to perform alongside a world-class soloist; to be inspired, not just by their performance, but also by the generous time spent in workshops.
The impression such an experience makes on young musicians cannot be overestimated. These formative experiences provide lasting memories and help not only create the next generation of highly skilled musicians, but also well-rounded and cultured members of society with a high appreciation of all things which make this world such a beautiful place.
I cannot tell which path is best. Maybe a combination of the two is desirable, but the significant amount of time so many professionals spend coaching talented young students in The Netherlands can only be a good thing.
The première
Quite an interesting and varied programme featured a new commission, Curium Serum, a work which would not feel out of place in a new Jurassic Park film. The use of DJ decks to create sounds not usually heard in the classical repertoire was an interesting twist. Dinosaurs seemed to come to us from all angles – at least they did not sound too scary!
Malte Schiller is a most interesting German composer and arranger, currently living and working in Berlin. He regularly produces arrangements for the Metropole Orchestra based in The Netherlands.
The symphony
Concluding the concert with Dvorak’s Symphony No. 9, The New World Symphony – a work performed by youth orchestra all around the world – conjured up many memories from my own youth, with endless hours spent in the rehearsal room as a teenager. Some things never change!
To conclude
This was youth music the Dutch way and the result received rapturous applause and a typically Dutch standing ovation. The production level of the concert was incredibly high, even down to commissioning specially made chocolates for audience members to have with their interval drinks, and special ribbons and pins for the students to wear on stage. Maybe there were more similarities than first meets the eye.
Reviewed at the Wilminktheater en Muziekcentrum, Enschede on Sunday 16th July, 2023
Read more reviews by Clare:
Searching For Greatness: The Mahler Competition, 2023 with the American baritone, Thomas Hampson and the Bamberg Symphony Orchestra.
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