WORLD YOUTH CHOIR PARTNERS

IFCM NEWS WITH NATIONAL YOUTH OF FOR BEETHOVEN ANNIVERSARY YEAR TOUR

KI ADAMS World Youth Choir Foundation President

IN THE SUMMER OF 2020, THE WORLD YOUTH CHOIR WILL PRESENT A UNIQUE SESSION AS PART OF THE BEETHOVEN ANNIVERSARY YEAR (BTHVN2020) FESTIVITIES CELEBRATING THE 250TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ’S BIRTH. PARTNERING WITH THE NATIONAL OF GERMANY (), THE WORLD YOUTH CHOIR WILL PERFORM CONCERTS IN GERMANY, THE NETHERLANDS, , AUSTRIA AND .

The programme will include two major works: Beethoven’s Symphony No. to create outstanding choral 9 and Chinese contemporary composer Tan Dun’s Nine, a choral/orchestral singing, while at the same time work commissioned for the National Youth Orchestra of Germany to transcending borders and building complement Beethoven’s ‘choral’ symphony. cultural understandings. Working Founded in 1989, the World Youth Choir exists to provide opportunities with renowned conductors from for highly skilled young singers from around the world to unite their voices countries with diverse, distinctive

The World Youth Choir singers in traditional clothing, showcasing the cultural richness of their 29 different countries of origin in front of the beautiful Abbaye de Sylvanès (Sylvanès, July 28, 2019)

46 choral traditions, each year 60-90 Based in , the National Youth Orchestra of Germany (BJO) is singers (ages 17-26) prepare and Germany’s youngest major orchestra. Founded by the German perform a wide range of challenging Council (Deutscher Musikrat) in 1969, the BJO is composed of the country’s choral repertoire representing finest young musicians between the ages of 14 and 19. In addition to Sir a colourful spectrum of global , BJO Conductor of Honour since 2018, the orchestra has been styles, genres and traditions. directed by renowned conductors such as , Kurt Masur, This distinctive global ensemble Gustavo Dudamel and . In 2013 the Philharmonic is made possible through its Orchestra assumed the role of patron orchestra to the BJO and mentors it founders and patrons: European through joint rehearsals, masterclasses and concerts. Choral Association – Europa Cantat (ECA-EC), International Federation A DEFINING EXPERIENCE for Choral Music (IFCM), and Both the World Youth Choir and the National Youth Orchestra of Germany Jeunesses Musicales International prepare challenging works from all historical periods during intensive (JMI). rehearsal sessions. Contemporary music and premieres of new works are Since its inaugural session in 1989, essential components of both ensembles’ repertoires. Preparing these the World Youth Choir has engaged programmes, interacting musically with outstanding international conductors over 1100 singers from more and working as a team with other talented and like-minded young singers/ than 75 countries in 35 sessions instrumentalists are defining experiences for these developing musicians at with 47 world-class conductors. both a musical and a human level. Throughout this 31-year history, rarely has the World Youth Choir COMMON GOALS had the opportunity to perform Both ensembles recognise and value the fact that participation in each with an orchestra, making this ensemble is an important step on the path to a professional career. The special BTHVN2020 collaboration stated goals for both organisations include the development of outstanding with the National Youth Orchestra musicians who will become cultural and social leaders of future generations. of Germany especially innovative and exciting.

Singing in the chapel of Palacete dos Condes de Monte Real during the World Youth Choir 30th Anniversary reception (Lisbon, July 31, 2019)

47 As an orchestra for young people, the • 08 August - Concert in Bonn, Germany (BTHVN2020), Bundesjugendorchester is a model for continually conducted by Tan Dun changing expectations, standards, mentalities, • 09 August - Concert in Berlin, Germany (Young Euro

IFCM NEWS identities, values and goals. These changes are part of a Classic Festival), conducted by Tan Dun larger context of social transformation that has led to a • 10 August - Concert in Einbeck, Germany (Fredener re-evaluation of many cultural values and institutions. We Musiktage), conducted by Jörn Hinnerk Andresen therefore see the National Youth Orchestra of Germany • 11 August - Concert in Lübeck, Germany (Schleswig- as an example of a primarily collective encounter with Holstein Musik Festival), conducted by Tan Dun music, one that enables and encourages not only • 13 August - Concert in Amsterdam, the Netherlands individual growth and confidence, but an expansion of (BankGiro Loterij SummerConcerts), conducted by artistic and societal horizons as well. Tan Dun • 14 August - Concert in Wiesbaden, Germany Participation in the World Youth Choir has the potential (Rheingau Musik Festival), conducted by Jörn Hinnerk to transform lives and, in turn, the global community Andresen as singers build relationships with peers from different • 15 August - Concert in Weikersheim, Germany countries and continents, develop the choir’s own (TauberPhilharmonie), conducted by Jörn Hinnerk unique choral sound and become a vibrant community Andresen of change agents. Through social activities and • 16 August - Concert in Kassel, Germany (Musiksommer interaction, sectional rehearsals, cultural excursions Nordhessen), conducted by Jörn Hinnerk Andresen and mentorship programmes, the time spent together • 18 August - Concert in Sterzing/Vipiteno, Italy (Brixner becomes one of deep personal and professional/artistic Initiative Musik & Kirche), conducted by Jörn Hinnerk development. Andresen • 19 August - Concert in Vienna, Austria (Deutscher COLLABORATION AND COMMUNITY Musikrat), conducted by Jörn Hinnerk Andresen There is no better way to celebrate the anniversary • 20 August - Concert in Moscow, Russia (Moscow year of Beethoven’s birth than to bring together these Philharmonic Society), conducted by Jörn Hinnerk two outstanding ensembles. Creating a microcosm of Andresen modern society, the BTHVN2020 session will provide a space in which young people can experience for CONDUCTORS themselves the particular value in embracing diversity, Tan Dun, world-renowned artist and UNESCO Global building community and working collaboratively to Goodwill Ambassador, was born in the Hunan province realise a collective goal. The rehearsal session and of and studied at the Central Conservatory concert tour will provide a learning environment and of Music in . He later moved to New York as a a shared life-changing experience in which deeper doctoral student at Columbia University. He has made cultural understandings can be explored, musical skills an indelible mark on the world’s music scene with a can be refined and personal lives can be transformed. creative repertoire that spans the boundaries of classical music, multimedia performance and Eastern and REHEARSAL SESSION AND CONCERT TOUR Western traditions. A winner of today’s most prestigious The rehearsal session will take place in Bonn from 30 honours, including the Grammy Award, Oscar/Academy July to 7 August, when the choir and orchestra will have Award, Grawemeyer Award, Bach Prize, Shostakovich time to work on the concert repertoire both separately Award, and most recently Italy’s Golden Lion Award and as a combined ensemble. During this week the for Lifetime Achievement, His music has been played young people will have the opportunity not only to around the world by leading , opera houses, make music together but also to get to know their international festivals, and on radio and television. fellow musicians from other countries and explore the As a conductor of innovative programmes around the impact of international collaborative projects on their world, he has led some of the world’s most esteemed professional development. orchestras, including the Royal Concertgebouw Following the rehearsal session, the World Youth Choir Orchestra, Symphony Orchestra, Philadelphia and the National Youth Orchestra of Germany will Orchestra, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Royal embark on an exciting international tour of concerts Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra, from 8-20 August 2020. Performing eleven concerts in Philharmonic, Orchestre National de , BBC five different countries, the ensemble will be conducted Symphony Orchestra, Filarmonica della Scala, Münchner by Tan Dun and Jörn Hinnerk Andresen. Tan Dun’s work Philharmoniker, Orchestra dell’Accademia Nazionale di Nine is a joint commission by BTHVN2020, the Royal Santa Cecilia and Sydney Symphony Orchestra. Most Philharmonic Society in London and the Melbourne recently, he was appointed Dean of the Bard College Symphony Orchestra. Conservatory of Music in New York.

48 Singers exchange traditional clothing in the backstage of Teatro Nacional de São Carlos (Lisbon, July 31, 2019)

49 Jörn Hinnerk Andresen was born been a lecturer at the Universities with professional musicians in the Schleswig-Holstein region of Music in Cologne and Dresden and all the associated benefits of northern Germany and studied and a mentor of the German Music and challenges (musical,

IFCM NEWS , piano and harpsichord Council in the Choral Conductors personal and psychological). in Dresden and Amsterdam. In Forum, he now holds the Chair The opportunity to go on a addition to conducting over sixty of Choral Conducting at the trip with almost 200 young, operas, operettas and musicals, he Mozarteum Salzburg for the winter talented, motivated players has performed a wide repertoire semester 2019/20. and singers and to explore of Baroque music with the the prodigious works of two Cappella Confluentes Baroque This is Jörn Hinnerk Andresen’s geniuses separated only by orchestra, where he is the founding first experience with the World two centuries is something I conductor. Working regularly with Youth Choir. Here are some of his am really looking forward to. the choir of the Vienna State Opera thoughts about the project: What a great way to spend the at the Salzburg Festival, he has When I was asked by the summer! frequently been invited to conduct board of the World Youth the radio choirs of several German Choir Foundation to conduct, REFLECTIONS FROM THE JURY broadcasting stations, Danish radio together with famous MEMBERS and Radio France. Since February Chinese composer Tan Dun, Chosen anew each year through 2015 he has been the choral director a spectacular tour with a process of national and online of the Saxon State Opera Choir in Beethoven’s Ninth plus a world auditions, singers are selected by an Dresden. He is closely associated premiere of a work by Tan international jury whose mandate with ensembles such as Lautten Dun, I was thrilled to be part is to include singers from as many Compagney Berlin, Staatskapelle of such a significant project. countries from the six continents Halle, Vokal Nord Tromsø, the choir It also promised a lot of fun! as possible, balancing diversity and of the Munich State Opera and So far, most of my career has global representation with artistic the Batzdorfer Hofkapelle. Having involved working and dealing quality. The 2020 jury consisted of

Spontaneous performances during the World Youth Choir 30th Anniversary reception at Palacete dos Condes de Monte Real (Lisbon, July 31, 2019)

50 Jörn Hinnerk Andresen (chair) and of her/his part from Beethoven heard next to a German bass a jury representative from each Ninth, some examples of her/ or a Ghanaian countertenor? of the three World Youth Choir his voice range and a tricky bit Despite all the differences and Foundation patron organisations: of sight-reading. And this was all the apocalyptic predictions Daniel Mestre, representing of probably the most touching pouring from the media and the European Choral Association thing for me in a long time. You news every day, we were – Europa Cantat; Cristian Grases, would listen to Beethoven’s overwhelmed by the deep representing the International first choral line sung a cappella torrent connecting so many Federation for Choral Music; and or with a synthesizer, with really young people all over the Géraldine Toutain, representing beginner-style piano playing to world, music being the one Jeunesses Musicales International. veritable piano concerti in the single messenger of love, hope Each jury member brought their accompaniment, some very and a bright future. personal perspective to the slow and some at breakneck process. Here is a glimpse into the speed, some with crystal clear The rest really was just experience for each jury member. HiFi sound and some barely weighing up various social, audible as played from an old musical and organisational My first encounter – Jörn transistor radio. The range was questions. Would the applicants Hinnerk Andresen (conductor and stunning, and yet they were all get their visa in time? Given jury chair) united in the desire to make a tour of eleven concerts in From the many, many music as friends, without thirteen days, would the voices applications for the WYC, consideration of borders, races, be stable and trained enough recruiters literally all over the genders or social differences. to cope with such a strenuous world selected 213 singers who Who would imagine that schedule? Which voices would were then presented to our Malaysia was so far away and blend or stick out? Do we have little jury of four. Every singer yet so close, that singers from a diverse enough mixture? submitted an aria, an excerpt Iran and Myanmar would be After all, we were looking

After the concert, the WYC singers bond over dinner together and listen to piano improvisation by fellow singer Guilherme de Almeida ()

51 both for enough power for all in itself, but working with difficult and intense experience the boisterous, testosterone- Tan Dun on his new creation, with such high-quality and loaded explosions of the “Ode conducting his masterpiece talented musicians. It was a

IFCM NEWS an die Freude” and for a nice especially commissioned for challenge to put together a homogenous blend for the our World Youth Choir, and well-balanced and powerful delicate harmonies Tan Dun learning from all the young choir, but I’m very happy that has given us. singers is something life rarely my colleagues all went in the gives you. I am really grateful same direction as I did; it was We were sad for every for the opportunity! easier than expected. I’m really candidate we could not proud to have helped ‘create’ consider and happy for every Giving back – Daniel Mestre such an incredible and unique singer we could invite! (WYC alumnus and representing instrument and to have given ECA-EC) back a small part of everything In the end, after two days of For me it was a very exciting the WYC has given to me – it’s intensive listening we felt we experience to be a jury invaluable! I’m excited to meet had found a good mixture, member for this WYC 2020 the singers during the summer taking as many nationalities as session! As a former member in some of the concerts of this possible as well as creating a of the WYC (1993-96), to be special tour and to put faces nice blend of singers. This will on the other side of the panel to all these wonderful voices! be a great choir! was very interesting. Listening I’m absolutely convinced that to several hundred audition all 89 of these talented young It is still five months until we recordings, I could imagine singers will never forget this start, and I just can’t wait to get myself 27 years ago nervously amazing experience. I would going. Naturally, performing singing “Rondo Lapponico”, love to be 25 years younger Beethoven’s Ninth with such the obligatory piece in 1993. and to be able to sing the talented ensembles is a gift It was fantastic to share this Beethoven Ninth with an

Soloists Giulia Faria (Brazil) and Emanuele Petracco (Italy) during the World Youth Choir performance of the traditional Majorcan piece ‘La dama de Mallorca’ arr. Baltasar Bibiloni at the Abbaye de Sylvanès concert (Sylvanès, July 28, 2019)

52 incredible orchestra during the them lay ahead of us. Thoughts some exciting and productive Beethoven Anniversary Year on Schiller’s text helped me discussions I think we did our in such great venues with this to imagine the colour of the best. The choir is now preparing unique WYC family! And even choir we needed to build. to come together for the first though I can’t do that, I will “Ode to joy” is something very time in July. I will be at the enjoy listening to it sitting in powerful and spontaneous, first performance in Bonn to the audience! but delicate as well. Looking hear this hitherto ‘virtual’ choir at the castles above the banks come to life and sing the words Building the choir – Géraldine of the Rhine, I thought that the of hope and joy in Beethoven’s Toutain (representing JMI) choir should be a palace built Ninth. Travelling by train to Bonn, on solid foundations (that we Germany, from Burgundy, should try to find very ‘round’ Truly global – Cristian Grases France, for the WYC jury, I was bass voices, for instance) and (representing IFCM) looking through the window plenty of rooms, each with its Being a part of the team to and following the marvellous own character (voices from as select the singers for the Rhine landscape while listening many different countries as World Youth Choir is both a to Wilhelm Furtwängler’s 1951 possible and representing the tremendous honour and a recording of Beethoven’s Ninth six continents), all the while daunting responsibility. This with the able to blend together in order stellar project has been near Orchestra at the reopening of to create a sound full of joy and dear to my heart since its the Festival Theatre following and humanity, as Beethoven’s inception, and I have always the Second World War. I had symphony demands. understood it as a choir made already listened to the files up of talented young artists of more than 200 singers, That’s what we tried to do from around the world that and I knew the hard task of over the three days. It was performs at the highest choosing only about 90 of a big challenge, and after possible level. This implies that

The World Youth Choir led by tenor section leader Gert Pottas (South Africa) singing a traditional South African chant at an open-air performance of the IFCM World Choral Expo 2019 (Cascais, July 30, 2019)

53 IFCM NEWS

Josep Vila i Casañas and the World Youth Choir 2019 at the end of the World Youth Choir 30th anniversary celebration concert in Teatro Nacional de São Carlos (Lisbon, July 30, 2019)

global representation has as of listening to all applications SINGERS high a priority as the level of (sometimes multiple times) Having received and reviewed over musical talent and preparation and considering the singers’ 200 applications, the jury selected from each singer, which makes countries of origin, the jury’s 89 singers from 42 countries to be it tricky to navigate the balance decision was unanimous. We part of the World Youth Choir 2020 between the geographical were delighted to put together session. The countries represented origins of the singers and a slightly larger ensemble are Argentina, Armenia, Austria, their musical abilities. As has that could tackle the technical Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, become a tradition for the past difficulties of Beethoven’s , Estonia, Germany, few sessions, this year we had Ninth, and at the same time Ghana, , Hong Kong/ a large number of applications include new nations that have China, Hungary, Indonesia, Iran, of very high calibre. Our job never been represented in Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, as the artistic committee was this project (Iran, Myanmar, Malaysia, , Myanmar, to put together an ensemble and Uzbekistan). We the Netherlands, Norway, , that would be able to represent have no doubt that this year’s Philippines, Poland, Russia, Serbia, the outstanding talent that World Youth Choir is powerful Slovenia, South Africa, , exists around the globe. After a both in artistic talent and world Switzerland, Taiwan, Turkey, Ukraine, lengthy process that consisted representation. , United States

Rehearsal of the World Youth Choir 2019, under the direction of maestro Josep Vila i Casañas (Saint-Affrique, July 26, 2019)

54 of America, Uruguay, Uzbekistan and . Congratulations to these singers, who represent a host of choral communities around the world. The World Youth Choir Foundation gratefully acknowledges all its partners, recruiters, alumni and audition supervisors who helped audition singers for this year’s session. Many of these individuals are IFCM members. The recruitment process would not be possible without their invaluable help. If you are interested in becoming part of the World Youth Choir recruiting process in your country, please contact the World Youth Choir Foundation at Josep Vila i Casañas conducting the World Youth Choir 2019 at the Abbaye de Sylvanès concert (Sylvanès, July 28, 2019) [email protected].

SOLOISTS Vienna. Given the unsettling state of affairs in every corner of our planet In recognition of the role that the (political, environmental, economic and social), we hope that the young World Youth Choir can play in the people involved in these performances truly experience what it means to development of a professional become global citizens through the medium of music. career, the BTHVN2020 If you are, or know of, a young, experienced singer who is looking for an performances will feature four World extraordinary choral experience, this international project is an opportunity Youth Choir alumni as soloists. They which you should explore. For more information about World Youth Choir are Iris Hendrickx, soprano (WYC sessions, visit our website (www.worldyouthchoir.org), contact us by 2002, 2003, 2005); Jo-Pei Weng, email ([email protected]), or follow the World Youth Choir on social mezzo-soprano (WYC 1997-2003); media and watch some of our past performances on our YouTube channel Xavier Moreno, tenor (WYC 1997, (www.youtube.com/c/worldyouthchoir). In addition, the World Youth Choir 1998); and Johannes Schendel, Foundation is always looking for potential organisers for future WYC bass (WYC 1995). sessions. Contact us to find out more about how you can help host the WYC in your country. BEYOND 2020 The WYC 2021 application process will be announced in due course. In The World Youth Choir has become the meantime, perhaps we’ll see you at one of the World Youth Choir 2020 a global symbol of peace, unity and session concerts in August! harmony, recognised as a UNESCO Artist for Peace (1996-1998) and Edited by Christopher Lutton, UK performing at the (1992, 2008) and the Nobel Peace Prize Ceremony (2011). While the singers, conductors and locations change each year, the essence of the World Youth Choir always KI ADAMS, a native of Birmingham, Alabama (USA), is an honourary research professor at Memorial remains intact – a spirit of University of Newfoundland, Canada, where he taught intercultural understanding, high- in the undergraduate/graduate music and music level musicianship and international education programmes for 25 years. Currently a board friendships. In his book, The member of the International Federation of Choral Music Ninth: Beethoven and the World and President of the World Youth Choir Foundation, Ki is in 1824, Harvey Sachs describes Founding Co-Director of The Singing Network, a collective for Beethoven’s only vocal symphony generating and producing a series of vocal and choral experiences ranging from as a statement of freedom in the workshops, seminars, masterclasses and dialogues to the biennial International repressive political environment Symposium on Singing and Song. Email: [email protected] of Europe after the Congress of

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