MEDIA RELEASE
Australian Youth Orchestra FOLLOWING CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED PERFORMANCES THROUGHOUT ITS 2010 TOUR OF CHINA AND EUROPE, THE AUSTRALIAN YOUTH ORCHESTRA WILL EMBARK ON ITS 21ST INTERNATIONAL TOUR IN 2013. THE ORCHESTRA WILL PERFORM UNDER THE BATON OF CELEBRATED CONDUCTOR CHRISTOPH ESCHENBACH AND ALONGSIDE GRAMMY-AWARD WINNING VIOLINIST JOSHUA BELL. The Australian Youth Orchestra, acclaimed conductor Christoph Eschenbach and guest soloist, the formidable virtuoso Joshua Bell are set to tour Australia, Austria, Germany, The Netherlands and Switzerland. This tour sees a continuation in the important role the AYO plays as a cultural ambassador for Australian musical excellence.
young musicians with a new international audience. The AYO has long been a cultural ambassador for Australia and we look forward to continuing this tradition of creating ties around the world and displaying the high caliber of talent we hold,” said Mr Colin Cornish, CEO of the Australian Youth Orchestra.
This highly anticipated tour debuts in August with exclusive concerts at the Sydney Opera House and Hamer Hall, Melbourne. Followed by performances at prestigious European summer festivals and venues including the Konzerthaus in Berlin and the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam.
“We are especially delighted that the AYO will be joined on tour by the incomparable violinist Joshua Bell”, said Mr Cornish.
“I have wonderful memories of touring once before with the Australian Youth Orchestra. Wonderful young musicians perfectly prepared.” Christoph Eschenbach The tour marks the orchestra’s seventh visit to Europe in its 65-year history and reinforces the AYO as the preeminent orchestra and training ground for young pre-professional musicians. “We are very much looking forward to sharing the artistry and talents of our outstanding
“The AYO is extremely appreciative of the support received for this international tour. We acknowledge our Principal Sponsor Accenture and the Federal Government, who have all helped make this tour possible,” added Mr Cornish. Minister for the Arts Simon Crean, announced the tour at the Sydney Opera House in 2012. “The Australian Government is a proud and longstanding supporter of the Australian Youth Orchestra,” Mr Crean said. “As an elite arts training ground, the AYO provides young musicians with the opportunity to grow into the cultural leaders of tomorrow. The 2013 International Tour will again demonstrate Australia’s position as a creative and productive nation to the world.”
Tour Repertoire / Sculthorpe Earth Cry Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto Rimsky-Korsakov Sheherazade Stravinsky The Rite of Spring Where & When / Sydney Opera House 3 August Hamer Hall, Melbourne 5 August Austria 10 August Germany 9, 11, 15, 16 August The Netherlands 13 August Switzerland 17 August
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