2009 report from a participant
European Youth Music Week, 1st-8th August 2009, Landesmusikakademie Hessen, Schlitz, Germany.
After several train connections, a bus journey or two and for most of us, an airplane, the members of the European Youth Music Week, gradually began to assemble together in the beautiful countryside of Hessen where we would begin a week full of music making in the Idyllic Landesmusikakademie of Schlitz. Though many of our journey’s were not without their individual stresses, each and every one of the participants arrived with an enthusiasm and sense of excitement that makes the European Youth Music Week one of the most exciting orchestral groups for the musical youth of today to be a part of. With participants hailing from over 12 Nationalities, myself solely coming from Northern Ireland, the EYMW included players stretching from as far as, the U.S.A, Spain, the Isle of Man, Poland and The Netherlands, in addition to our two largest contributory Nations; the United Kingdom and Germany. With such an international combination, this year promised to be as good as, if not better than the last.
The orchestral program was one of excitement for both conductors and orchestra members alike as under the baton of Mike Steurenthaler we took on the challenge of playing through the entirety of Gustav Holst’s ‘The Planets’ and choosing to perform Mars, Saturn and Jupiter in the final concert. In addition to this, the EYMW English-born conductor, Andy Morley, expertly guided us through the incredibly challenging and demanding piece by Stravinsky, ‘The Rite of Spring’. In addition to the vast amount of work already conquered in the main orchestral performance, the EYMW went a step further to educate its members in the ways of Chamber music, as it does every year. With the Symphony Orchestra now becoming two chamber ensembles, our program was able to delve further into the music of the past and reach out to give players the opportunity to learn about the finer parts of their instrumental playing. As a trumpet player, I personally cherished this opportunity to practice performing music of transposition as did many of the string and woodwind players alike who also gained their individual opportunities to examine and improve the finer parts of their technical playing.
This year the Chamber Orchestra had the pleasure of having two of its members take to the soloist’s stage as American-born Trombonist, Tyler Vahldick performed Ferdinand David’s Concertino for Trombone and Orchestra, Op. 4, composed in 1837, and Hughes Anselmo from France, performed Carl Maria von Weber’s Bassoon Concerto in F major, Op. 75, written and revised in 1822. Both of these are highly demanding of the soloist and the display of both Tyler and Hughes’ technical ability and virtuosi on each of their instruments not only entertained us all, but gave many young players a figurehead to look up to Many of the other players in this year’s orchestra were also of a very high standard and the majority of this year’s players were either soon to be beginning further study of their instrument in a music college or already studying in one, thus bringing the level of the orchestra evermore higher.
As well as the rising musical standard of this year’s EYMW, our German hosts did not fail to impress us with their outstanding level of hospitality. The music academy of Schlitz made us all feel at home and provided us with everything we could have needed during our week-long stay in the Landesmusikakademie. It can be our only hope for next year that we, the British accommodators can return the same level of hospitality although the out-door swimming pool for all of those wishing to cool off after rehearsal, may be a touch out of our grasp! All in all, the week spent with the EYMW has not only made us all better musicians and performers, but has left us with irreplaceable ties of friendship stretching from across the globe and a week in everyone’s year to remember.
Report by Leanne Thompson (participant 2007, 2008 & 2009)
