Carnegie Hall

(January 7, 2015; NEW YORK, NY)—Carnegie Hall today announced details for an extensive tour to China by the National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America (NYO-USA) in July 2015. This remarkable ensemble, created by Carnegie Hall’s Weill Music Institute, annually brings together some of the most talented young musicians from across the United States, ages 16-19, offering them an opportunity to train at the highest level with some of the world’s greatest artists while also serving as cultural ambassadors for their country, connecting with people around the world through their passion for music.

The orchestra will perform nine concerts in the US and abroad from July 10-26, visiting many of China’s greatest concerts halls in several different regions of the country, including the National Centre for the Performing Arts in China’s capital city, Beijing. This historic first visit to Asia by NYO-USA follows acclaimed inaugural year performances in Washington DC, Moscow, St. Petersburg, and London in 2013 and a coast-to-coast US tour in 2014.

The 2015 NYO-USA China tour schedule is as follows: 

July 10	Purchase, NY	Performing Arts Center, Purchase College, SUNY
July 11	New York, NY	Carnegie Hall, Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage
July 15	Beijing	National Centre for the Performing Arts
July 17	Shanghai	Shanghai Oriental Art Center
July 19	Suzhou	Suzhou Cultural and Arts Centre
July 21	Xi'an	Xi'an Concert Hall
July 23	Shenzhen	Shenzhen Concert Hall
July 24	Guangzhou	Xinghai Concert Hall
July 26	Hong Kong	Hong Kong Cultural Centre

Celebrated conductor Charles Dutoit, Conductor Laureate of The Philadelphia Orchestra and Artistic Director of London’s Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, leads NYO-USA this summer, joined by internationally-renowned pianist YUNDI as guest soloist. The orchestra’s 2015 concert program to be performed at all tour venues will include the premiere of a new work from award-winning Chinese composer Tan Dun, commissioned by Carnegie Hall especially for NYO-USA as well as Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 5 (“Emperor”) with YUNDI; and Berlioz’s Symphonie fantastique.

NYO-USA’s touring activities will allow America’s finest young musicians to share their artistry with Chinese audiences while also experiencing the richness of China’s culture and history firsthand. The orchestra’s visit has been designated by the respective countries as one of only four Cultural Pillars of the Consultation on People to People Exchange (CPE) between the USA and China; the Cultural Pillars receive this designation to enhance and strengthen ties between citizens of the US and the People’s Republic of China through culture. As part of their travel schedule, the NYO-USA players will have the chance to tour the cities in which they perform as well as opportunities to interact with local young musicians and participate in informal community performances at stops along the way.

“We are very proud of how the National Youth Orchestra of the USA program continues to grow and develop, showcasing the incredible depth of talent and high level of musicianship found in young musicians from across the US,” said Clive Gillinson, Carnegie Hall’s Executive and Artistic Director. “We expect the orchestra’s first tour to China to be a tremendous opportunity for musical and cultural discovery for everyone involved. The arts and culture allow us to make links between people that can’t be made in any other way. I’m confident that China audiences and students will be inspired by these amazing players, serving as musical ambassadors for their country and the musicians of the orchestra will return home filled with new found insights after taking part in this unique experience.”

NYO-USA’s roster of young musicians for summer 2015 will be announced by Carnegie Hall in early March 2015. The players arrive in New York in late June to begin an intensive two-week training residency on the campus of Purchase College, State University of New York, working with principal players from some of the country’s finest professional orchestras. James Ross, director of orchestral activities at the University of Maryland, returns this summer to lead the NYO-USA faculty for a third year. The faculty will oversee rehearsals during the orchestra’s residency in Purchase and will conduct master classes, chamber music readings, and other seminars on essential music skills, all leading up to the launch of the orchestra’s international tour. The program is free for all participants.

The orchestra’s concert at Carnegie Hall on Saturday, July 11 will be heard by music lovers worldwide via the Carnegie Hall Live broadcast and digital series, created in partnership with WQXR and distributed nationally by WFMT Radio Network. Tickets for the Carnegie Hall performance are on sale now at the Carnegie Hall Box Office, by calling CarnegieCharge at 212-247-7800, or online at carnegiehall.org.

Prior to Carnegie Hall, the 2015 NYO-USA’s first summer 2015 concert will take place in the Concert Hall at The Performing Arts Center, Purchase College on Friday, July 10. Tickets are available by calling 914-251-6200 or visiting The Performing Arts Center’s website at artscenter.org.

About the National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America
Each summer, Carnegie Hall’s Weill Music Institute brings together the finest young musicians from across the country (ages 16-19) to form the National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America (NYO-USA). Following a comprehensive audition process and a two-week training residency at Purchase College, State University of New York, with faculty made up of principal players from top professional orchestras, these remarkable teenagers embark on a tour to some of the great music capitals of the world, serving as America’s dynamic music ambassadors.

Launched in summer 2013 to great critical acclaim, the first-ever National Youth Orchestra of the USA presented concerts with famed conductor Valery Gergiev and renowned violinist Joshua Bell to enthusiastic audiences in Washington DC; St. Petersburg and Moscow, Russia; and at the BBC Proms in London, England. The 2014 orchestra, led by dynamic American conductor David Robertson with virtuoso violinist Gil Shaham as soloist, made its debut at Carnegie Hall in New York City, followed by a coast-to-coast US tour to Tanglewood in Lenox, Massachusetts; Boone, North Carolina; Chicago, Illinois; Jackson Hole, Wyoming; Sonoma County, California; and the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, California. For more information about NYO-USA, visit carnegiehall.org/nyousa.

About NYO-USA’s 2015 Guest Artists
Captivating audiences throughout the world, Charles Dutoit is one of today’s most sought-after conductors. He has performed with major orchestras and on stages in five continents and is currently the artistic director and principal conductor of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in London. For 25 years, Mr. Dutoit was artistic director of the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, and he recently celebrated his 30th year of artistic collaboration with The Philadelphia Orchestra, who bestowed upon him the title of conductor laureate. He collaborates every season with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Boston Symphony Orchestra, San Francisco Symphony, New York Philharmonic, and Los Angeles Philharmonic, and is also a regular guest on stages in London, Berlin, Paris, Munich, Moscow, Sydney, Beijing, Hong Kong, and Shanghai, among others.

Mr. Dutoit’s more than 200 recordings for Decca Classics, Deutsche Grammophon, EMI Classics, Philips Records, and Erato Records have garnered multiple awards and distinctions, including two Grammy Awards. In 2007, he received the Gold Medal of the City of Lausanne, his birthplace, and was given the Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Classical Music Awards in 2014. Mr. Dutoit holds honorary doctorate degrees from McGill University, University of Montreal, Laval University, and the Curtis Institute of Music.

Born in Chongqing, China, YUNDI began studying piano at the age of seven. He subsequently trained at the Shenzhen Arts School and Hochschule für Musik, Theater und Medien Hannover. YUNDI was propelled onto the international stage when he won first prize at the 24th International Chopin Piano Competition at the age of 18, becoming the youngest and first Chinese winner in the history of the renowned competition. Since then, he has been regarded as a leading exponent of Chopin’s music. In recognition of his contribution to Polish culture, YUNDI was presented with a Gold Medal for Merit to Culture “Gloria Artis” in 2010. In fall 2012, he was appointed associate dean and professor of the piano faculty at the Sichuan Conservatory of Music, the youngest member of the faculty to achieve this status.

YUNDI has performed with major orchestras and at prestigious venues around the world, and is a household name in his native China. At the beginning of the 2013–2014 season, he embarked on a 35-city recital tour of the country, bringing classical music to provincial capitals as well as second and third-tier cities. In addition to his activities on the concert platform, YUNDI is also passionate about humanitarian work. He is an ambassador of the Red Cross Society of China and the environmental and city image ambassador for his hometown Chongqing. He has an extensive award-winning discography with Deutsche Grammophon and EMI Classics. His most recent CD is a recording of Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 5 (“Emperor”) with Daniel Harding and the Berliner Philharmoniker and Schumann’s Fantasie, op. 17, released by Deutsche Grammophon in spring 2014.

About Carnegie Hall
Founded in 1891, New York City’s Carnegie Hall presents exceptional performances by the world’s finest artists on its three stages—the renowned Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage, the intimate Weill Recital Hall, and the innovative Zankel Hall—ranging from orchestra; concerts, chamber music, and solo recitals to jazz, world, and popular music. Extensive music education and community programs developed by Carnegie Hall’s Weill Music Institute support Carnegie Hall’s commitment to fostering the future of music . More than 450,000 people will engage in the Weill Music Institute’s programs over the next year through national and international partnerships, in New York City schools and community settings, and at Carnegie Hall. For more information about Carnegie Hall and other Weill Music Institute programs supporting the ongoing development of young musicians, visit carnegiehall.org.

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National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America Lead Sponsor: Bloomberg

Founder Patrons: Blavatnik Family Foundation; The Horace W. Goldsmith Foundation; Marina Kellen French and the Anna-Maria and Stephen Kellen Foundation; Ronald O. Perelman; Robertson Foundation; Robert F. Smith; Sarah Billinghurst Solomon and Howard Solomon; and Joan and Sanford I. Weill and the Weill Family Foundation

Additional funding has been provided by the Jack Benny Family Foundation for Music Education; Yoko Nagae Ceschina; Andrew and Margaret Paul; and Sir David Tang.

Bank of America is the Proud Season Sponsor of Carnegie Hall.

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What the press have said about the National Youth Orchestra of the USA:

“The performance exuded vitality and confidence.” — The New York Times

“This very large orchestra not only played with ferocious spirit and genuine personality, but it also produced refined performances notable for credible polish.” — Los Angeles Times

“It was the kind of night that reassures classical music lovers that the art form will survive well into the future.” — Musical America

“Throughout, the playing was of the highest caliber: controlled, precise, crisp, and nuanced, with perfect ensemble.” — Classical Voice North America

“Carnegie Hall may have created the best music camp ever.” — National Public Radio

“With their debut this week it already seems safe to say that the future of classical music in America is stronger than it was even one month ago!” — The Times, London 

“The whole ensemble played with electric commitment.” — The Guardian

To learn more about NYO-USA, visit carnegiehall.org/nyousa.
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Follow NYO-USA on Twitter at #NYOUSA.
See more from NYO-USA on YouTube at youtube.com/nyousa.