National Youth Orchestra

The National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain celebrates the 60th anniversary of its first performance this year. It consist of players between the ages of 13 and 19 who must play their instruments at least at the level of grade 8 distinction standard. Something like 600 players audition each year for the 160 places. Their concerts are then given under the direction of some outstanding conductors: no less a figure than Antonio Pappano heads the list for this season.

It was in 1971 that I first heard this orchestra, playing Berg Webern and Debussy's "La Mer"at the Proms under Pierre Boulez.

Last week they came to the Sage under the exciting young Russian conductor Vassily Petrenko, Principal Conductor of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra. The concert opened with the world premiere of a short piece by Mark Simpson, himself a former member of the Orchestra and a former winner of the BBC Young Musician of the Year competition. This was followed by Ravel's Valses Nobles et Sentimentales showing off a full and silky sound from the orchestra. The first half concluded with Strauss's Four Last Songs, sung by the Austrian Soprano Gabriele Fontana. She is a distinguished Strauss singer and was wonderfully supported by Petrenko and the orchestra. there was some beautifully controlled quiet playing and Petrenko spun out the quieter passages at very slow speeds.

The second half of the concert brought one of the greatest orchestral challenges and showpieces: Stravinsky's "Rite of Spring". And it was thrilling! The discipline of the orchestra was superb and they threw themselves into the music with electrifying verve.

This was an excellent concert and a wonderful showcase for this extraordinary group.

A recording of the repeat of this concert at The Barbican can be heard on the BBC Radio 3 website until 14 April:-

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/aod/radio3_aod.shtml?radio3/performanceon3_mon