East Meets West

In 2019 and for the first time, NYO-China traveled to Europe – the birthplace of classical music. Accompanied by International Chopin Piano Competition winner Garrick Ohlsson and led by returning conductor Ludovic Morlot, a 101-piece ensemble made its way across the continent, playing with fellow youth orchestras at renowned music festivals including Germany’s Young Euro Classic (held at the historic Konzerthaus Berlin), the United Kingdom’s Snape Proms, and Italy’s Bolzano Festival, all following its season debut at the Shanghai Oriental Art Center.

Ludovic Morlot

Conductor

Ludovic Morlot is a bright star among a new generation of international conductors, serving as the principal conductor of the Seattle Symphony and a frequent guest conductor of the orchestras of Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York. As Music Director of the Seattle Symphony, Morlot recently won the 2016 GRAMMY Award for “Best Classical Instrumental Solo” for conducting Augustin Hadelich in Dutilleux’s Violin Concerto. Prior to his tenure at the Seattle Symphony, Morlot served as the Conductor-in-Residence at the Orchestre National de Lyon (ONL) under David Robertson from 2002 to 2004 where he led ONL’s two youth orchestras. Beyond his duties at the Seattle Symphony, Morlot is also the Chair of Orchestral Conducting Studies at the University of Washington.

Garrick Ohlsson

Soloist

Pianist Garrick Ohlsson catapulted into the international spotlight when he became the first – and to this day, only – American to win the Gold Medal at the International Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw in 1970. Featured in the 2010 documentary The Art of Chopin, he is often considered one of the world’s foremost experts on music by the composer. His repertoire extends far beyond Chopin, however, and among his impressive recordings is a GRAMMY Award-winning volume of Beethoven Sonatas. As a dedicated chamber musician, he has frequently worked with the Takács, Emerson, and the Tokyo string quartets. In 1994, Ohlsson was awarded the prestigious Avery Fisher Prize for outstanding achievement in classical music by the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts.

Concert Program

Residency

Prior to its Shanghai premiere and concert tour of Europe, the National Youth Orchestra of China engaged in an intensive two-week residency at the Shanghai University School of Music from July 18 to July 31. There, students participated in full orchestral rehearsals with guest conductor Ludovic Morlot, as well as sectional rehearsals and private lessons with NYO-China’s suite of distinguished faculty. Additionally, students were exposed to various Master Classes, lectures and workshops, and opportunities for chamber music performance. 

Faculty

Like in prior seasons, all NYO-China faculty were drawn from members of some of the finest orchestras across the world, with many also having experience teaching in premier conservatories throughout China and the West. All fluent in Chinese, most were also raised in China before going on to pursue prominent careers as international artists. For students, these mentors provided not only a wealth of technical expertise, but also an invaluable perspective on the challenges and opportunities they face as they develop their own careers as young artists.