Attending a concert by the National Youth Orchestra (NYO) is always an enriching experience. This particular event featured a remarkable 160 musicians, creating a vibrant atmosphere that felt even more substantial given the limited stage space. The excitement was palpable, as each young performer immersed themselves in what was undoubtedly a significant occasion. Recent seasons have also highlighted the youthful exuberance of these teenagers, emphasizing their fresh approach to music-making rather than that of seasoned professionals.
The concert opened with a semi-choreographed entrance set to a medley of tunes by Raye and Chaka Khan, where the percussion section took the lead before the entire orchestra joined in. Each piece was prefaced by brief remarks from one of the musicians, sharing personal connections to the music and offering insights into its selection. For the encore, the orchestra presented Jacob Collier’s “Something Heavy,” which included a little more choreography, showcasing the talents of the young performers.
It is clear that the orchestras led by Alpesh Chauhan, the newly appointed principal conductor of the NYO, do not typically engage their musicians in such creative introductions. However, the precision and concentration displayed during the performance often surpassed expectations. Chauhan awaited complete silence in the venue before introducing the cellos for the opening notes of Wagner’s “Prelude and Liebestod” from “Tristan und Isolde.” The delicate and finely tuned interplay between the cellos and woodwinds created an extraordinary atmosphere, evolving into a dynamic performance that maintained its momentum even as the music approached its conclusion.
The concert began with Joe Hisaishi’s “Symphonic Variation Merry-Go-Round + Cave of Mind,” a lively piece from his score for the 2004 film “Howl’s Moving Castle.” The strings responded beautifully to Chauhan’s direction, capturing the essence of the swirling waltz, while the woodwind and brass solos were delivered with exceptional skill. The piano beautifully conveyed the bittersweet quality of the music. The subsequent excerpts from Prokofiev’s ballet “Romeo and Juliet” were filled with striking moments, with the orchestra achieving thrilling heights during emotional peaks and the deep bass instruments adding a palpable sense of foreboding throughout the narrative. This program presented a series of stories that were compellingly brought to life.
The NYO’s performance at Bridgewater Hall will be broadcast on BBC Radio 3 on July 1.
