This is now the fourth concert I have had the privelege of attending over the years from the talented musicians of The National Youth Orchestra, and quite honestly, it was, for me at least, the best and most enjoyable of them all.
Their short four-venue tour of 'Odyssey', which started where most tours would dream of finishing, London's Barbican Centre, came to Liverpool's Philharmonic Hall for one performance only this late afternoon. It was a cold and rainy day in the middle of Winter, and I really didn't fancy the drive there and back from my home city of Manchester, however, it was most certainly worth it, what a glorious concert it truly was!
This afternoon's orchestra comprised 170 talented young musicians from the length and breadth of the nation, from all walks of life, with only one thing in common: their love of and passion for music. All aged between 15 and 18 years old, and having only been playing together as an orchestra for less than one month, it was not just inspiring but amazing to see (and hear) just exactly how immensely talented and creative these youths were.
Two members of the orchestra introduced themselves and the pieces they were to play. A lovely idea, and really helped our understanding of not just the music but the dynamics and make-up of the orchestra too.
The programme lists three works which they were to perform, however, we actually heard 6 pieces in total in the two hours in their company. First came the 'Four Sea Interludes' from Britten's opera, 'Peter Grimes'. Stirring, dramatic, brooding, and difficult to interpret, this proved to be a superb start to the concert. It was impossible to tell that these were still students and not fully-fledged professional musicians.
The second piece was a new work, and one by a contemporary composer of whom I had never heard. This was, 'Rift' by Anna Clyne. My usual response to ultra-contemporary classical music is something along the lines of smelling something nasty on your shoe (!) however, I have to say that I truly enjoyed this work. It was a complete surprise. Written in 2016 as a ballet in collaboration with choreographer Kitty McNamee, this was a most intelligently crafted and lyrical, tuneful, and thematic piece which one could quite easily see realised as a ballet. I loved the sweeping strings of the third section which led ultimately to a very surprising crescendo and end.. just glorious.
After the interval and we returned to hear the first piece that was not in the programme. 11 further youngsters (additional to those on stage) were standing in the boxes at either side of the auditorium, instruments in hand. One of them announcing that they were NYO Associates and had devised and created their own short piece which they were going to play for us. I am assuming that the Associates are a little younger than those in the main body of the orchestra. Their piece was called 'Orbit' and took a single main theme developing it each time in texture throughout the ensemble.
We returned to the stage and the show-piece of the concert, Richard Strauss's 'Also Sprach Zarathustra'. Again the orchestra showing an incredible talent for their understanding and interpretation of the music. Layered, textured sound with superb dynamic control. Truly goosebump-inducing playing from them here.
None of the three pieces are easy pieces to tackle, each demanding a different skill presenting their own challenges, and yet these teenagers rose superbly to each challenge and performed with elan. Of course, much of this has to do with the conductor, and this afternoon's conductor was the animate and amazing Alexandre Bloch. Bloch knew how to wring every last drop of emotion and precision from every musician, and his passionate, energetic, and yet clear and controlling conducting was simply amazing. I have not seen Bloch in action before, but I have now made it a mission of mine to make sure I see him as much as possible. A true inspiration.
The orchestra then performed two encores. First came Johann Strauus II's 'Blue Danube Waltz' - continuing the '2001 Space Odyssey' theme, and then a lovely little gem of a surprise, as the orchestra not only played but sang too! This was a wordless singing version of 'The Radetzky March', bringing the concert and indeed their mini-tour to a superb close with a rather 'Last Night Of The Proms' feel. Utterly brilliant and truly amazing. Bravissimi tutti.
Reviewer - Matthew Dougall
on - 8.1.23
on - 8.1.23
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