The national Youth Orchestra, South Africa’s symphonic national team, will perform the Symphony No 4 by Tchaikovsky and Stravinksy’s playful neo-classical Pulcinella Suite in Pretoria and Joburg this week.
These performances will be done under the baton of acclaimed American conductor, Sarah Loannides, who is considered to be one of the best conductors in the world.
This will be Loannides debut in South Africa.
Sophia Welz, chief executive at the National Youth Orchestra, said this performance was special.
“Every time the youth orchestra performs it’s a special occasion - for the new musicians starting out, and the ones who are about to leave to pursue their careers.
"Our programme is special because we’re performing a beautiful new piece by one of our alumni, Matthijs van Dijk, and we’re also playing one of our favourites, Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No 4.
"Something not often heard in South Africa is also on the programme - Stravinsky’s delightful Pulcinella Suite.
"The proceeds from our performances go towards our Bursary Fund to make sure that all musicians, regardless of geographical or financial barriers, can attend the orchestra courses in 2018,” Welz said.
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The National Youth Orchestra, founded in 1964, nurtures the musical development of the finest young musicians who range from emerging gifted school-age students, to those on the verge of a professional career.
There are 66 members in this year’s orchestra, and the youngest is 11-year-old cellist, Nitha Roos, of Pretoria.
“These budding musicians just lift your spirits.
"At a time when we seem to be pulling in different directions in our country, this is such a wonderful statement: young people of all races, playing in an orchestra, which itself is a symbol because it has different instruments.
"It is a wonderful image for our country,” said Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, who is a National Youth Orchestra patron.
The first performance takes place tonight at the Rand Club in Joburg. The orchestra then moves on to the ZK Matthews Hall in Pretoria on December 15 and their last performance will take place at the SABC M1 Studio in Joburg on December 16. Tickets range between R90 and R690. For details and bookings: www.sanyo.co.za.