Prom 32: Summer adventures from the NYO USA and Pappano

By Kevin W Ng, 12 August 2019

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“a radiant intimacy that made the vast Royal Albert Hall seem like the most intimate of salons”

Reviewed at Royal Albert Hall, London on 11 August 2019

Beckman, Occidentalis (UK premiere)

Berlioz, Les Nuits d'été, Op.7

Strauss R., An Alpine Symphony

Elgar, Enigma Variations, Op.36: Nimrod

Joyce DiDonato, Mezzo-soprano

Brass of the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain

National Youth Orchestra of the USA

Sir Antonio Pappano, 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

Memento mori: The NYOGB in Britten and Shostakovich

Alexander Hall, 5th January

Jaime Martín leads his valiant National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain players through revolutionary songs and the shadow of death in two leading 20th-century composers.

***11

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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Kevin W Ng

Kevin writes about music and culture, with a focus on opera. Originally trained as a violinist, he has a particular interest in 20th-century music. He is currently based in New York City.