Mahony Hall, The Helix, Dublin Mon 3pm 15 01-7007000
Remember the National Youth Orchestra of Ireland being in the wars? The proposed merging in 2007 of two orchestras (one of 18- to 24-year-olds, the other of 12- to 18-year-olds) into a single orchestra (of 14- to 21-year-olds) stirred up a veritable storm of protest, and the merging was reversed.
Last summer’s concerts were given by the under-18s, “now the flagship orchestra of NYOI”. And next Monday’s concert at The Helix would appear to be given by the same under-18s, 92 members strong, and now – mirabile dictu, and without public protests – the only national youth orchestra that will play in 2012.
The programme, conducted by Gearóid Grant, offers just two works: Bruch’s Kol Nidrei (with former NYOI member Brian O’Kane, above, as cello soloist) and Ravel’s orchestration of Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition.
The NYOI’s three-concert summer tour next July, of Mozart’s Flute and Harp Concerto (with Fiona and Jean Kelly) and Shostakovich’s Tenth Symphony, will be conducted by the RTÉ NSO’s principal conductor, Alan Buribayev.
