Edinburgh's International Festival kicked off last Friday with an open-air concert at a football stadium. Such a venue was a new one for me - and it wasn't without its logistical drawbacks - but the music more than made up for the practical difficulties (and the significant and slightly menacing seagull population present). The Los Angeles Philharmonic, joined by members of their Youth Orchestra, were conducted by Gustavo Dudamel in a programme of film music planned to appeal to all ages; that some little boys chose to fight in the aisles and other small children took the opportunity to run about the Tynecastle pitch didn't detract from the orchestra's exhilarating playing, Maestro Dudamel's address to the crowd, and the other sights and sounds of a memorable evening: it was definitely an experience.
Our next outing was to the more conventional surroundings of the Usher Hall for a concert performance of West Side Story, the unusual factor here being that the conductor was none other than John Eliot Gardiner. If you know him as a world-renowned exponent of Bach and Monteverdi, say, you may be surprised to learn that he was as much in his element with Bernstein, donning a policeman's hat and a convincing accent for a cameo performance as Officer Krupke, and earning a standing ovation - alongside the Scottish Chamber Orchestra and a bunch of talented young singers - for a simply scintillating performance.
Last night was the turn of the National Youth Orchestra of the USA to delight us. Under the direction of the energetic Antonio Pappano, and with Joyce DiDonato as soloist, we heard a programme of Berlioz and Prokofiev preceded by Delicate Tension, a new piece written by one of the orchestra's apprentice composers, Tyson J. Davis. All the young people taking part are between 16 and 19 years of age, and their level of expertise is truly astonishing. They will be at The Proms on Sunday - with a slightly different programme - so look out for them when that concert is broadcast next Friday.
What bliss!
Posted by: Toffeeapple | 12 August 2019 at 02:07 PM
Yes!
Posted by: Cornflower | 13 August 2019 at 11:57 AM