Memento mori: The NYOGB in Britten and Shostakovich

By Alexander Hall, 06 January 2020

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“his clear beat and care over transparency of textures ensured a sense of steady momentum”

Reviewed at Barbican Hall, London on 5 January 2020

Eisler, Auf den Straßen zu singen, Op.15

Britten, Sinfonia da Requiem, Op.20

Shostakovich, Symphony no. 11 in G minor "The Year 1905", Op.103

National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain

Jaime Martín, Conductor

Green shoots: the National Youth Orchestra at the Proms

Dominic Lowe, 5th August

Prieto conducted the young musicians in three compositions from the 1940s which showed the budding talent to which we have to look forward.

***11

Prom 32: Summer adventures from the NYO USA and Pappano

Kevin W Ng, 11th August

The National Youth Orchestra of the USA present a monumental programme of Strauss and Berlioz.

****1

A sinister Bluebeard's Castle from the NYOGB

Peter Connors, 5th January

A thrilling concert by the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain conducted by Sir Mark Elder culminated in a sinister and atmospheric performance of Duke Bluebeard's Castle.

*****

Hammered home: the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra

Matthew Rye, 17th December

The concluding concert in the Amsterdammers’ brief Barbican residency mixed youthful promise with a programme that seemed to sum up 2016’s angst and fears.

****1

Prom 29: National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain

Penny Homer, 6th August

The space-themed Prom 29 matches old favourites with new works in joyous performances.

****1

Youth rises to the challenge Mahler's Ninth

Chris Garlick, 8th August

The National Youth Orchestra with Sir Mark Elder at the helm ruminate over nothingness in this mature and moving performance of Mahler's Ninth.

****1

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Alexander Hall

Alexander Hall divides his time between London and Hamburg, where he had a career in academic administration and teaching. He reviews for Bachtrack and Opera Today, and has also reviewed for Classical Source. A connoisseur of the great orchestras of the world, his musical memories stretch back to Karajan/Berlin Phil, Mravinsky/Leningrad Phil, Bernstein/Vienna Phil, and he has seen most of the great conductors from the past, including Böhm, Klemperer, Kubelik, Ormandy and Szell.