Youthful Energy Fuels NYO's Dazzling Debut
As a rare treat for music enthusiasts, the National Youth Orchestra (NYO) kicked off their annual cycle just days after the players first met, setting an ambitious tone for their three-city UK tour. The Shimmer programme, featuring works by Debussy and Ravel, transported listeners to sun-kissed Spanish streetscapes, replete with vibrant colors and enticing rhythms.
Debussy's Ibéria premiered in 1910 as a delicate, pointillist affair – a watercolor of muted hues and subtle textures. With the NYO's doubled forces, conductor Alexandre Bloch skillfully maintained control, though some passages still felt slightly over-layered, with rhythmic juddering occasionally smudging the sinuous scales.
However, it was Ravel's Rapsodie Espagnole that truly came alive under Bloch's guidance, with its final movement bursting forth in a joyful cacophony of brass and woodwind. Meanwhile, Karim Al-Zand's City Scenes injected a modern swagger into the performance, its neon-infused rhythms cutting through the ensemble like a sonic Artful Dodger.
Anna Clyne's DANCE (2019) – a radiant cello concerto – brought out the best in both Segev and the orchestra. With shifting moods evoking klezmer or jazz, the NYO members showcased their versatility and chemistry with conductor Bloch.
A cheeky nod to jazz and a spirited encore of Rossini's William Tell Overture rounded off an exhilarating debut, hinting at the exceptional heights this new generation of musicians can reach. As they embark on their UK tour, it's clear that these teenagers have already begun to make waves in the classical music scene.
The Shimmer tour continues with performances at Warwick Arts Centre (Jan 5) and Royal Concert Hall (Jan 6).
As a rare treat for music enthusiasts, the National Youth Orchestra (NYO) kicked off their annual cycle just days after the players first met, setting an ambitious tone for their three-city UK tour. The Shimmer programme, featuring works by Debussy and Ravel, transported listeners to sun-kissed Spanish streetscapes, replete with vibrant colors and enticing rhythms.
Debussy's Ibéria premiered in 1910 as a delicate, pointillist affair – a watercolor of muted hues and subtle textures. With the NYO's doubled forces, conductor Alexandre Bloch skillfully maintained control, though some passages still felt slightly over-layered, with rhythmic juddering occasionally smudging the sinuous scales.
However, it was Ravel's Rapsodie Espagnole that truly came alive under Bloch's guidance, with its final movement bursting forth in a joyful cacophony of brass and woodwind. Meanwhile, Karim Al-Zand's City Scenes injected a modern swagger into the performance, its neon-infused rhythms cutting through the ensemble like a sonic Artful Dodger.
Anna Clyne's DANCE (2019) – a radiant cello concerto – brought out the best in both Segev and the orchestra. With shifting moods evoking klezmer or jazz, the NYO members showcased their versatility and chemistry with conductor Bloch.
A cheeky nod to jazz and a spirited encore of Rossini's William Tell Overture rounded off an exhilarating debut, hinting at the exceptional heights this new generation of musicians can reach. As they embark on their UK tour, it's clear that these teenagers have already begun to make waves in the classical music scene.
The Shimmer tour continues with performances at Warwick Arts Centre (Jan 5) and Royal Concert Hall (Jan 6).
, and that encore of William Tell Overture had me singing along 
. can't wait for their UK tour! what a fantastic start to their musical journey 
. The fact that they've already started touring just days after their initial meeting is huge, it shows they're not afraid to take risks and challenge the status quo 
. And let's be real, having a mix of old and new pieces on the program like Ravel and Debussy alongside modern jazz influences is a bold move 
. I'm excited to see how this tour will shape the future of classical music in the UK 
the NYO absolutely NAILED it! that ravel piece was LIFE.CHANGING 
can't wait to see what the rest of their tour has in store 
It was like a party up in there! 
The way Karim Al-Zand's City Scenes mixed in those neon-infused rhythms added this whole new level of coolness to the performance. 
And I loved how the orchestra came together for Anna Clyne's DANCE - it was like they were having the time of their lives up there on stage 
. The encore of William Tell Overture? perfection! 
Can't wait to see what these talented teens have in store for us next 
i mean, they're only 18/19 yrs old but they've got the energy and talent of seasoned pros. debussy's ibéria was so beautiful it gave me chills 
and ravel's rapsodie espagnole... wow that final movement was like a party in my head 
karim al-zand's city scenes added this cool modern vibe that totally worked. i loved how they played anna clyne's dance concerto, it was like the whole orchestra came together in perfect harmony 
and can we talk about segev for a sec? he's got some serious pipes on him 
i'm so hyped for their uk tour now... who else is going to the warwick arts centre show next wkend?
And I love that they incorporated some modern vibes into the performance, like Karim Al-Zand's City Scenes. It's refreshing to see them mixing it up with a mix of old and new.
. and that Ravel piece? 
. The way Ravel's piece came alive with brass and woodwinds was pure magic 
. And I'm loving the fact they're injecting modern vibes into classical music - its so refreshing to hear those jazz & klezmer influences shine through 
segev and the orchestra are def killing it together 
. Don't get me wrong, the NYO sounds AMAZING but come on, can't we have some chill days without all that orchestral goodness? 
... they totally brought the house down! Anyway, this NYO's energy is infectious! The way they performed Debussy's Ibéria was like watching a beautiful, musical sunrise over the Pyrenees. Some parts felt a bit rushed, but overall it was like they were transported to that sun-kissed Spanish landscape 
... I can almost imagine them having a impromptu jam session on the beach!
Just found out my favorite coffee shop is raising their prices again, this time by like 10%. Guess I'll be sipping on cheaper joe all year. Also, just got a notification that there's another mass shooting in the US 
and it's already been over a week since the last one...
.
- I'm totally sold on Segev as the soloist.
? All in all, this NYO tour is giving me major concert-going vibes 
. I mean, who wouldn't want to see a bunch of teenagers come together and blow the roof off with some incredible music? 
. The music was so vibrant and alive, you could feel the youthful energy radiating from every single instrument 
. Overall, it sounds like this tour is going to be an amazing ride