NYO-China

2019 Europe Tour

East Meets West

This summer and for the very first time, NYO-China will be venturing to the birthplace of classical music: Europe. Accompanied by International Chopin Piano Competition winner Garrick Ohlsson and led by returning conductor Ludovic Morlot, the full 100-piece ensemble will be making its way across the continent, playing at renowned festivals including Germany’s Young Euro Classic (where students will perform at the historic Konzerthaus Berlin), the United Kingdom’s Snape Proms, and Italy’s Bolzano Festival, all following its debut at the Shanghai Oriental Art Center.

Ludovic Morlot

CONDUCTOR

Ludovic Morlot is a bright star among a new generation of international conductors, serving as the principal conductor of the Seattle Symphony and a frequent guest conductor of the orchestras of Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York. As Music Director of the Seattle Symphony, Morlot recently won the 2016 GRAMMY Award for “Best Classical Instrumental Solo” for conducting Augustin Hadelich in Dutilleux’s Violin Concerto. Prior to his tenure at the Seattle Symphony, Morlot served as the Conductor-in-Residence at the Orchestre National de Lyon (ONL) under David Robertson from 2002 to 2004 where he led ONL’s two youth orchestras. Beyond his duties at the Seattle Symphony, Morlot is also the Chair of Orchestral Conducting Studies at the University of Washington.

Garrick Ohlsson

SOLOIST

Pianist Garrick Ohlsson entered international stage when he became the first – and to this day, only – American to win the Gold Medal at the International Chopin Competition in Warsaw in 1970. Featured in the 2010 documentary The Art of Chopin, he is often considered one of the world’s foremost experts on music by the composer. His repertoire extends far beyond Chopin, however, and among his impressive recordings is a GRAMMY Award-winning volume of Beethoven Sonatas. Also a dedicated chamber musician, he has frequently worked with the Takács, Emerson, and the Tokyo string quartets. In 1994, Ohlsson was awarded the prestigious Avery Fisher Prize by the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts.

SHOAC CONCERT HALL | AUGUST 1

Upon concluding their residency, NYO-China will have their 2019 concert debut in the 1953-seat “Concert Hall” of the Shanghai Oriental Art Center. Designed by acclaimed French architect Paul Andreu and home to three major performance halls, SHOAC has become one of China’s premier venues, entertaining several hundred thousand audience members every year.

YOUNG EURO CLASSIC | AUGUST 5

Following their debut in Shanghai, NYO-China will travel to Germany where they will partake in Young Euro Classic, Europe’s preeminent festival for young musicians. Joining a lineup that includes other esteemed youth orchestras such as NYO-Germany and NYO-USA, NYO-China will perform for listeners at the historic Konzerthaus Berlin in a concert that will also be broadcast to millions via Arte TV.

SNAPE PROMS | AUGUST 7

Every summer, musicians from around the world converge on Snape, Suffolk, for a rousing festival that features soloists, folk groups, big bands, as well as the occasional national youth orchestra (including NYO-Great Britian). This August, NYO-China will be in good company when it takes the stage at Snape Maltings Conert Hall, entertaining audiences of all tastes from across the United Kingdom.

BOLZANO FESTIVAL | AUGUST 9

NYO-China concludes their tour in Italy, where the orchestra will perform at the Fondazione Teatro Comunale as part of the 2019 Bolzano Festival, which in the past has been host to celebrated youth ensembles such as the European Union Youth Orchestra and the Gustav Mahler Jugendorchester. NYO-China’s farewell performance will also be broadcast on RAI, Italy’s national public radio channel.

Residency

Prior to its Shanghai premiere and concert tour of Europe, the National Youth Orchestra of China will engage in an intensive two-week residency at the Shanghai University School of Music from July 18 to July 31. There, students will participate in full orchestral rehearsals with guest conductor Ludovic Morlot, as well as sectional rehearsals and private lessons with NYO-China’s suite of distinguished Teaching Artists. Additionally, students will be exposed to various Master Classes, lectures and workshops, and opportunities for chamber music performance.

Shanghai University School of Music

Known as one of the finest secondary schools for music throughout China, the School of Music at Shanghai University is well-equipped to serve NYO-China’s Class of 2019 as they ready themselves for their upcoming concert tour. Home to two large practice halls, over a dozen classrooms, and nearly fifty individual practice rooms, students will have ample space to rehearse in both large and intimate settings. They will also have access to a wealth of resources from Shanghai University at-large, including on-campus hotel accommodations and buffet-style meals.

Teaching Artists

NYO-China’s suite of fifteen Teaching Artists perform as principal members of some of the finest orchestras across three continents, and many teach currently in premier conservatories around the world. All faculty artists speak Mandarin fluently, and most were born and raised within China before going on to international careers. For NYO-China’s students, these mentors provide a wealth of technical expertise and an invaluable perspective on the challenges and opportunities they face as they develop their own careers as young artists.