U.S. National Youth Orchestra to make debut in China

The National Youth Orchestra of the United States (NYO-USA) will travel to China this month in a bid to enhance people-to-people and cultural exchanges between the two countries.

A special music event hosted by the Chinese Consul General in New York, Zhang Qiyue, was held here Tuesday night to mark the upcoming trip of the orchestra, which will present nine concerts during its China tour on July 10-26.

Established by Carnegie Hall's Weill Music Institute in 2013, the NYO-USA showcases the talent among young instrumentalists across the United States. The members of the 2015 orchestra, ranging in age between 16 and 19 and from 37 states, have been recognized by Carnegie Hall as being among the finest players in the country, following a comprehensive audition process.

The orchestra's tour will start in the capital city of Beijing on July 15, followed by appearances at many of the country's greatest concert halls in different cities, including Shanghai, Suzhou, Xi'an, Shenzhen, Guangzhou and Hong Kong.

"The National Youth Orchestra of the U.S. challenges its players not only to perform musically at the highest level, but also to serve as great musical ambassadors for their country," said Clive Gillinson, Carnegie Hall's executive and artistic director.

"The orchestra's first tour to China will undoubtedly be an amazing opportunity for musical and cultural discovery," he said. "I'm confident that the NYO-USA's concerts will inspire audiences wherever we go as our players form many new friendships along the way, making true connections with people through music."

Celebrated conductor Charles Dutoit, conductor laureate of the Philadelphia Orchestra and artistic director of London's Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, will lead the NYO-USA in its performances in China, joined by Chinese pianist Li Yundi as guest soloist.

The concert program to be performed at all concert venues will include the premiere of Passacaglia: Secret of Wind and Birds by Chinese composer Tan Dun, commissioned by Carnegie Hall, as well as Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 5 ("Emperor") and Berlioz's Symphonie Fantastique.

Written especially for the NYO-USA, Tan Dun's Passacaglia combines musical forms and methods from the East and the West, ancient and modern. The new work incorporates sounds of nature like birdsong, an element frequently used in traditional Chinese music, with some sounds digitally recorded and played on smart phones.

As part of their travel schedule, the NYO-USA players will have the chance to experience China's cultural riches, tour the cities where they will perform, and interact with local young musicians as well as participate in other informal community performances along the way. Endi