Whether it's a performance of contemporary music in South Beach or Wagner in the Berkshires, I realized long ago that young musicians can more than hold their own in a concert setting, especially when surrounded by 100 or so of their peers. But, there must have been something especially daunting about the prospect of performing at Carnegie Hall - arguably this country's greatest stage - for the teenaged members of the National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America, who made their Carnegie debut on Tuesday night in a special summertime concert that was, to the best of my knowledge, without precedent at the 123-year old institution.
Founded last year by Carnegie's Weill Music Institute, the NYO-USA brings together young musicians from all across the country for summer of music making. Aspiring orchestra members apply online with a video audition and are selected based on a variety of factors, including their responses to questions such as: "How would you describe your instrument's personality?" Upon arrival in early July, the musicians - who must be non-conservatory students - undergo two weeks of training at SUNY Purchase with section leaders from top orchestras such as the Chicago Symphony and The Cleveland Orchestra. Last year, the NYO-USA toured with conductor Valery Gergiev to London, Moscow, and St. Petersburg; this year, they are traveling across the U.S. with St. Louis Symphony music director David Robertson.
Taking the stage Tuesday night in bright-red pants and red, white and blue Cons, the NYO-USA kicked things off with Leonard Bernstein’s Symphonic Dances from West Side Story, evoking memories of another youth orchestra who performed on this stage a few years ago. Despite some wobbles in the brass and winds, the kids gave an electric performance of this jazzy score, showing some real swagger in the strings and shouting "Mambo" like they were the NY Phil; no doubt Robertson clued them in that the Phil gave the world premiere on this same stage in 1960.
