Over 160 teenage musicians took to the stage with their undeniable passion, performing an exciting repertoire of contemporary ensemble pieces alongside Stravinsky’s iconic masterpiece, The Firebird, in its original form.
Here’s what the critics are saying:
The string sound was rock-solid, and there were distinguished solos from clarinet, flute and especially horn leading into the earth-shattering finale.
4/5
It was satisfying to sit down for Stravinsky’s The Firebird, sounding wonderfully luxurious and scintillatingly virtuosic with the NYO’s huge forces.
4/5
I’ve had my vision in last night’s Southbank jamboree, featuring works by 10 composers (the majority still living) as well as group-devised pieces, running from spectacularly stage-managed foyer events and sectional feasts within the Royal Festival Hall to a performance of Stravinsky’s complete Firebird Ballet as glowing and, ultimately, uplifting as any I’ve heard.
5/5
A richly luxuriant account Stravinky's The Firebird performed with remarkable finesse crowns a remarkably immersive evening with superb performances all round from the young players.
4/5
In addition to the Spring residency and concerts, NYO Inspire and NYO Play the School activities provided a unique opportunity for young people across the UK to experience the transformative power of orchestral music and witness first-hand the sheer force of NYO.
The performance at Saffron Hall was recorded and will be broadcast on BBC Radio 3! Click here tune in on 25 April at 7.30pm or listen later as it will be available for 30 days on BBC Sounds!
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Photography © Mark Allan.