A new, 120-member orchestra was born this week--the National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America. No, not the snappiest of names, though it does echoes the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain, after which the ensemble has been modelled.
NYOotUSoA is the baby of Sir Clive Gillinson, who now runs Carnegie Hall but previously sat on the board of the NYOoGB (and, incidentally, also ran a little number called the London Symphony Orchestra).
The only slightly unexpected move is the appointment of Valery Gergiev as its first conductor. An American might have been more apt for the country's first official national youth orchestra. Also, since the Russian maestro is better known for working miracles mid-performance than in rehearsal, one wonders whether young players might have benefitted more from a long, intense period with a real rehearsal anorak.
On the other hand, conductors don't get more famous than Gergiev, and his involvement works wonders for the project's prestige and will, itself, be an experience for the young musicians.
There has been a revolution in the playing standards of youth orchestras in the last decade or two. Once upon a time, one would have to make mental allowances.
These days it can be hard to tell the difference, with marvellous work being done by the likes of the NYO (U.K.), Orquesta Sinfónica Simón Bolívar (as was), Gustav Mahler Jugendorchester, Italy has about three fine groups, and so forth. Great conductors lead these bands. too. And Gergiev, Bernard Haitink, Claudio Abbado, et al. give of their time often.
The NYOotUSoA will tour America, followed by a planned tour of China. Its real challenge now is to create not only technical excellence, but its own recognizable sound that is the hallmark of all good orchestras.
