On the Road with the Asian Youth Orchestra

The first of Tokyo's two concerts began with a joyous greeting from Maestro Judd. "Konnichiwa!" he said, delighting the audience with his Japanese which prefaced an introduction of the special addition of  As the Heart Soars  to the evening's repertoire. And this was how the enchanting composition by Hong Kong's Wong Chun-Wai made its debut in Japan. Also making the first ever appearance in Japan tonight was the brilliant Czech violinist Jan Mráček. He won over the hearts of those at the Tokyo Opera City today with his exuberant rendition of   Bruch's  Violin Concerto No. 1 in G minor. Mr. Mráček played as if each pull and extension of his bow made visible a prism of infinite colours. Those in the audience could readily tell how much he truly enjoyed performing with the AYO. Between his solo parts, he wore a smile of satisfaction and pleasure as he listened, taking in the vitality of the accompanying harmony behind him. Tonight's Mahler...

A typhoon warning sent the stage team and the orchestra scrambling - a decision was made moments ago, to move up tonight's evening concert to the afternoon. But be it five hours earlier than plan, the team  was immediately at work, setting the stage like clockwork. A fully spirited orchestra was ready, on stage at 2:30 p.m. How about the weather's impact on audience attendance? The fact is no thunder or storm will ever match the enthusiasm that the people of Chiayi have showered on the AYO. In no time, crowds filled the concert hall of the Chiayi Cultural Centre. Today was a dress-down concert due to the last-minute changes causing adrenaline to rush. Our orchestra members donned their red polo shirts, not their formal ensemble attire. They looked nicely fired up to play. Then, Mr. Pontzious walked out on stage holding an umbrella over his head. Roars of laughter echoed throughout the hall. All the excitement of the afternoon deserved a special encore to close. Ma...

Chiayi City. We are back in this southwestern city of Taiwan where our Rehearsal Camp kicked off four weeks ago. This time we are here for our fourth concert of the 2017 World Tour. From Hong Kong, we had taken Cathay Dragon Airlines. One hour later we had arrived at the compact Kaohsiung International Airport. It's about a one-hour bus ride to Chiayi and the city's Cultural Centre. Our luggage and instruments unloaded, we made our way to the auditorium. Waiting for us were our host families and their huge welcoming smiles. Picture time! Were we all excited, laughing and hugging one another, as we waited in line for turns to go up on stage and have our "family shots" taken. Some families had colorful props to introduce into the "family photos," for example, posters and hand-made welcome signs complete with names of their "adopted children." The warmth of the people in Chiayi is truly special. The orchestra members will be ...

The night draws to a close. Tonight's performance at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre was one of zest, flourish, and fervor. The persistent and wonderful cheers finally subsiding, Maestro Pontzious takes the microphone in hand. He pauses a little, then, "This is your AYO," he tells the audience from the stage as showers of applause rise in a crescendo again. Photo credit: Yu Sun Tonight was the second of the two concerts in Hong Kong. It was the orchestra's last evening here and was a special gift, featuring violinist Sarah Chang as soloist and the conductor whom the late Yehudi Menuhin convinced 27 years ago should take the orchestra's baton. It was a gift filled with appreciation for all who gave AYO the privilege to call Hong Kong its home.

Two down. Twenty more to go. Last night, the AYO took Hong Kong soaring to a magical place. As the Heart Soars, capturing the spirit of Hong Kong, was first on the program this evening at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre. Anticipation was high as 8 o'clock rolled around. Its composer Wong Chun-Wai was seen seated in the audience with friends and family, waiting for the special moment his work will make a world debut. And it was delightful under the baton of Mr. James Judd. Mr. Wong, composer of As the Heart Soars Shostakovich's Violin Concerto No. 1 in A Minor with the violinist Vadim Repin was next. The soloist's movements on his bow were sharp and fast. He made music pure and fluid. The audience was mesmerized. After this, an intermission followed. Backstage, the orchestra members were flushed with excitement. Water, please! The last number of the evening was Mahler's Symphony No. 1 in D Major, Titan . The soft melodies from the flute section w...

The audience is thrilled. The first of 22 AYO concerts around the world is coming to a close here at the National Centre for the Performing Arts in Beijing. Rounds of applause, however, insist that the orchestra please never leave. What an endearingly passionate and beautiful performance it was, just like a summer breeze. A fresh breath of air may be how the conductor for the evening, Mr. Pontzious, had hoped for us to feel. For the tour's concert program, Mr. Pontzious had selected an assortment of music that generates lightness and variety, "perfect for the summer," he had said. The music finally settled on for the first program was Strauss'  Don Juan,  Sibelius'  Concerto in D Minor,  and   Beethoven's  Symphony No. 7 in A Major. Rehearsal before the concert in Beijing Violinist Sarah Chang played exquisitely on stage last tonight. No wonder the concert was a sellout. Maestro Pontzious was dynamic, drawing from each orchestra member their emoti...

We are in Beijing for the first concert of the AYO World Tour. We had a few flight delays and bus rides, but all are safe and settled in now, with accommodations located right in the heart of Wangfujing, a shopping paradise in the city centre. Being on the road with the AYO makes us experts in travelling light. The orchestra instruments, no matter their size and weight, are priority. So most of us are being minimalists with our personal belongings, rolling into knapsacks and carry-ons what is just enough for two days' use. We have left our large suitcases at our hotel in Hong Kong for this journey, as we will return to perform in Hong Kong after our concert here. Then we will fly out to Taiwan's Chiayi City after, later this week. Mr. Kevin Peterson is the AYO's travel consultant. He is constantly working, furiously making calls, organizing tickets and the itinerary, and checking if everyone has their visas ready. With 109 orchestra members, not counting the staf...

As the Rehearsal Camp here in Hong Kong draws to a close, a typhoon warning delayed our rehearsals this morning. Time to catch up some extra sleep, and also get some extra time to practice! Then in the afternoon, rehearsals resumed at the Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts. A stormy day. Photo credit: David Sheets At around 2:45 p.m. there was an excited buzz in the halls. The respected violinist Vadim Repin had arrived to join the AYO to rehearse Shostakovich’s Violin Concerto No. 1 in A Minor  under the baton of Mr. James Judd. Watching Mr. Repin play up close was more than just fascinating. His eyes focused on his bow which he set gliding through the air, and he plays with an air of class and confidence. AYO co-founder, the late Yehudi Menuhin, spoke of him as an artist of the highest regard. “Vadim Repin is simply the best and most perfect violinist that I have ever had the chance to hear," he had said. The AYO is truly fortunate to have Mr. Repin as a soloist...

We were starstruck. Today Sarah Chang, the violinist, arrived to join us for her first day of rehearsals with the orchestra. She is one of the three soloists invited to perform with the AYO this summer tour. Ms. Chang, a recognized artist since still a child, has won over the hearts of audiences at Carnegie Hall and other top international concert venues. The orchestra will perform with her first in Beijing on July 25th, only two days away. In the rehearsal hall, there's complete silence, not a drop of a pen. We all hold our breath as she starts to play. She is totally poised, totally focused. Then, magic takes over. We are pulled into her world as she uses the bow flexibly, powerfully at times, and loses herself in the music. How wonderful can it be that our orchestra gets to play with remarkable artists like her. With Mr. Pontzious conducting, she will be performing the solo part in Sibelius' Violin Concerto in D minor. 

“Did you know the harp is sometimes played when patients undergo surgeries because of its soothing effect,” the harp instructor, Ms. Maria Elena Bovio, said as we sat down after lunch outside of the cafe at the Academy for Performing Arts. According to The Telegraph , the vibrations of the harp have been shown scientifically to lower the heart rate, decrease blood pressure, and help people combat heart disease.  Her eyes brightened as she spoke more of her favourite instrument.  “Playing the harp is very different from playing any other instrument,  You use your hands just as if you were making pasta. You capture the strings’ vibrations to produce sounds.” It was this beauty that drew Ms. Bovio to first play at Age 11. “It is such a privilege to be able to talk about the harp, music, and life at AYO. When we get past the technique, I adore the discussions we have on music and its beauty. Those moments are very special to me.”

Flute instructor Claudio Montafia and oboe instructor Marco Ambrosini have more in common than just being on the AYO faculty this year. Both teach woodwind instruments, both joined the AYO for the first time, and both hail from Italy. Sitting down with Mr. Montafia outside of the concert hall at the Rehearsal Camp, I asked him what his overall impression of the AYO was to date. "The first few days of Rehearsal Camp where everyone was getting to know each other was really special," he says. "This is a great experience with a group of very professional young musicians. From the beginning until now there has been such a huge improvement in their playing. To learn to understand the music, to grow, and to build so many friendships is indispensable. The relationships between musicians are vital." A few hours later, I caught up with Mr. Ambosini while he was making reeds for his oboe. I asked what he thought was the biggest challenge of teaching at the AYO. ...

On tour this summer, the AYO will perform, among masterpieces from Mahler and Shostakovich, the world premiere of As the Heart Soars by Hong Kong composer Wong Chun Wai. Mr. Wong's composition was chosen when the AYO put out a call for artists to share short pieces of music they had written that captured the spirit of Hong Kong. The other criteria for submission was for the work to be 3 to 5 minutes long. The composer at an AYO rehearsal Sitting in on the rehearsal of the orchestra's performance of As the Heart Soars, Mr. Wong is eager to discuss the work. He explains how composing is something that comes naturally as part of life to him. He jumped at the chance to have his piece played by the AYO. His works vary from concert music to film scores and this piece took him just two weeks to write and one week to polish. His vision? As the Heart Soars embodies the multicultural aspects of Hong Kong and the busy, crowded life that comes with living here, Mr. Wong say...

Anticipation was at its peak as the stage crew prepped the stage, technicians checked the lights, and orchestra members took their seats. Then it all came together. The 2017 Rehearsal Camp Opening Ceremony was held at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts this evening. With Mr. Richard Pontzious as conductor, the first piece on the evening program was  Hong Kong Our Home,  composed by T-Ma and Jay Fung. The second piece, Nimrod, is from the orchestral work  Enigma Variations  by the English composer Edward Elgar. AYO has come to play Nimrod every summer at the Opening Ceremony. It is now a 27-year old tradition, as it is also played to close the summer tour. Mr. Pontzious recounts how this tradition came about: In 1987, Mr. Pontzious co-founded the orchestra with the renowned violinist and conductor Yehudi Menuhin. Nimrod was chosen to officially open the Rehearsal Camp, and Mr. Pontzious asked Maestro Menuhin if he would conduct the first ...

Hong Kong is a compact and bustling city. Last night, we took in some of Hong Kong as we marvelled at the towering skyscrapers and the bright, neon signs that illuminated the buildings. While touring, we also discovered an AYO ad at a bus stop. Photo credit: Samson Chan For the next week, rehearsals will be held at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts. It is located steps away from our hotel so we can walk just down the block for rehearsals. The building is airy and bright with large windows and a spacious auditorium. Today we attended the AYO Annual Dinner where the students expressed their thanks to their teachers and presented them with gifts. Laughter rose from the crowd when violin coach Stefano Pagliani was given a rubber chicken as a special memento. In explaining why a rubber chicken, his violin students described how he makes a squawking noise each time they play a wrong note. A big thank you to the entire faculty for all of their guidance over these ...

Yílù píng'ān. "Have a safe journey," the airport ushers and security officers at the Kaohsiung International Airport tell us as we head to board our plane. We said goodbye to our favourite place in Taiwan this morning. We will never forget your kindness and warmth. What a frantic two weeks it has been. Now, as we arrive and settle into our hotel after flying from Kaohsiung to Hong Kong, we look forward to a brand new week of rehearsals. See you again in Chinese is  zàijiàn , so  zàijiàn , Chiayi City. We will see you very soon when we return for our concert on July 29th. For now, here we are, Hong Kong. Hello, Hong Kong

The bus driver patiently waits as we hurriedly lug our instruments and equipment onto the bus each morning. Bus "A" is running behind today. The other two buses are called "Y" and "O." Each morning, the three AYO buses take us from our hotel to the National Chiayi University, both located in the East District of Chiayi City. It takes about half an hour to get there, the traffic is smooth, and we pass colourful signs outside of electronic stores and a local outdoor restaurant that always has people outside eating breakfast. We then spot the large gates of the university that tell us we have arrived. On the bus, meanwhile, we chit-chat, others catch up on sleep, and some listen to music. "Xiè xie nǐ," we say to the driver - thank you. We're now off to make this final rehearsal day in Chiayi our best.                    

What fun we had at lunch! Four sections of the Orchestra - percussion, oboe, bassoon, and bass - came together on stage, treating us to a lively performance that worked magic. We couldn't help clapping to the beat; soon we were all on our feet! Tunes from a popular film first, then "Tico Tico." Gone were the serious faces, it was time to dance! Little did we realize we were all such show-offs with our dance moves. So much laughter. This lunch concert really made our day. Cheers to music - all types of music.

MORNING 8:32: After a quick breakfast, the AYO members are on the move. The bus' engine is rumbling - don't miss the bus! 9:15: Straight to work at the Rehearsal Camp. Pick up music folders, unpack the instruments, a bit of warm up. Today the pieces to work on are Strauss and Beethoven 7. Performance at a "tutti" rehearsal conducted by Mr. Pontzious later. "Tutti" is Italian for "playing altogether." 10:15:  The teacher's voices leak out into the corridor. More staccato! More vibrant notes! Different sections are under the wings of the faculty now. 12:15: At last, it's lunch time! We are spotting orchestra members cleaning and putting away their instruments. The bento boxes from our hosts in Chiayi arrive and are gone in no time. AFTERNOON 13:15: Time for tutti rehearsals with Mr. Pontzious. Everyone is on their toes - figuratively! 14:05: Mr. Pontzious instructs the musicians to move around the stage and sit in...

Chiayi City, full of passion for the arts and scenic sights, including a view of the Alishan mountains, is our gracious host for this summer’s Rehearsal Camp. This year, an early start, given our World Tour, had guided us to come to Chiayi City, a perfect match for the first two weeks of rehearsals. We depart for Hong Kong on Saturday, which is our destination for the next week of Rehearsal Camp. For the last three years, the AYO has been visiting Chiayi City to perform for its people. Now, it is thanks to the city’s volunteers, many of whom had come to our concerts in the past years, that we are at our home away from home. The people of Chiayi City have gone above and beyond being simply hospitable. We feel their warmth and heart. They have doctors on hand for us, they always greet us with welcoming smiles, and they make sure that we are comfortable so that we may rehearse properly. Every afternoon, they generously provide boxed lunches for us to enjoy. By the way, can I say...