A world Class AYO July Season

Violinist Ray Chen and conductor Simone Young are headlining a concert with the Australian Youth Orchestra.
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Solo violinst Ray Chen. Image courtesy of CAMI Music.

Internationally renowned conductor Simone Young and solo violinist Ray Chen are joining the Australian Youth Orchestra for a captivating July season presentation at Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC).

For one night only, the award winning musicians will lead the orchestra in a program of Stravinsky Symphony in Three Movements, Sibelius Violin Concerto in D minor, Op. 47 and Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 6 in B minor, Op. 74 Pathétique.

‘It is a testament to the calibre of the AYO that we are able to attract such outstanding talent as Simone Young and Ray Chen,’ said AYO CEO Colin Cornish.

In the two-week lead up to the performance, the orchestra will prepare with tutors from the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, University of Queensland and the Queensland Conservatorium based at Griffith University.

Cornish said the performance would be a wonderful chance for prospective AYO applicants to see AYO’s quality, style and dedication to music in a live performance context.

‘For a teenager or somebody studying music at university, the experience of seeing and hearing the orchestra gives you a true insight into what you could be a part of,’ he said.

‘The combination of forces on stage coupled with the music of Tchaikovsky, Sibelius and Stravinsky will ensure audiences continue to demand to hear the orchestra perform.”

As the youngest soloist to perform in the televised Nobel Prize Concert for the Nobel Laureates and the Swedish Royal Family, Chen regularly performs with the world’s leading orchestras. He has played with the likes of the London Philharmonic and has appeared in all the major international concert halls.  This will be the first time Chen has played with the Australian Youth Orchestra.

Hailed as one of the leading conductors of her generation, Maestro Young’s conducting repertoire spans operatic and symphonic works from major opera companies and orchestras across the world. She is currently General Manager and Music Director of the Hamburg Staatsoper and Music Director of the Philharmonic State Orchestra Hamburg.

The Australian Youth Orchestra with Simone Young and Ray Chen will present their July Season performance on one night only on Friday 18 July in the Concert Hall at QPAQ.

For more information including tickets visit the Queensland Performing Arts Centre website or contact Qtix on 136 246.

Troy Nankervis
About the Author
Troy Nankervis is an ArtsHub journalist from Melbourne. Follow him on twitter @troynankervis