Yearbook 2019 January – June © Janis Vecbralis IN MEMORY OF JOY BRYER / 02 WELCOME / 04 THE LISTENING PROJECT / 12 PROGRAMME / 14 / ARTISTS 20 CONTENTS \ / PARTNERS 42 THE LISTENING PROJECT THE LISTENING 1 2 IN MEMORY OF JOY BRYER \ CO-FOUNDER, PRESIDENT AND SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE EUYO IN MEMORY OF JOY BRYER OBE Co-founder, President and Secretary General of the EUYO There is no doubting the most significant event for What can I tell you about my mother Joy Bryer? the EUYO during 2018: the passing of Joy Bryer, She had the ‘X Factor’. She was larger than life, a the Co-founder, Secretary General, President and force of nature with a huge generosity of spirit. She inspiration behind the European Union Youth made the seemingly impossible possible and with Orchestra, European Community Youth Orchestra, great style and humour. She was always glamorous, International Youth Foundation, and International immaculately dressed with her trademark bouffant Festival of Youth Orchestras and the Performing Arts. hair and her fabulous gold jewellery. Her speeches were legendary – at the drop of a hat she would be on Joy Bryer spent her life in the service of young her feet extolling the virtues of a united Europe and people in Europe and throughout the world, believing the power of music to create peace and harmony. passionately in culture as a fundamental human right and a means to create peaceful, harmonious and creative Growing up in our household it felt like we shared societies. She founded the first ever international youth our home with hundreds of extraordinary people; orchestra and also the first International Festival of politicians, musicians and conductors would gather Youth Orchestras. Charming, impassioned, determined, from all over the world. We learnt early the importance indefatigable and highly persuasive, she had the ears of of not only hard work but of finding a purpose. presidents, musicians and cultural leaders throughout My mother had two passions: her family and her work. Europe and beyond for more than half a century, Known affectionately as ‘Mrs B’ by the Orchestra, and was justly decorated in numerous countries. to her the musicians were her family, and she Joy Bryer never lost her quite astonishing warmth and celebrated their achievements and loved the fact generosity towards all whom she encountered, and proved that many met and married while playing together. to be an extraordinarily significant inspiration, and indeed It is a great comfort to us to know that the young ‘joy’, to the many thousands of young musicians whose players will keep her spirit alive and pass that on to lives she affected. And indeed her musicians can be found future generations. My father may have been the today amongst the ranks of the world’s finest orchestras. brains but she was the heart and soul of the EUYO. In a fitting tribute to the magnitude of her achievement, My mother was not only on first name terms with the day that she passed away was not only dedicated the musicians but also Europe’s presidents, prime to world peace, but also saw her orchestra perform at ministers and royal families – if they moved or shook she the world’s major armistice anniversary event at the Arc knew them! But what stands out is her extraordinary de Triomphe in Paris, in front of more than seventy of courage, her belief that anything was possible, that the world’s major leaders, many distinguished guests we should think big and be bold. Never take no for and a television and online audience of millions. an answer. There is no question the world will be that bit duller without her, although heaven will Joy will never be replaced, but following her certainly be a far more fun and interesting place. encouragement and example, many thousands will now continue her work in the decades to come. CO-FOUNDER, PRESIDENT AND SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE EUYO PRESIDENT AND SECRETARY CO-FOUNDER, Lesley King-Lewis The Orchestra takes this opportunity to celebrate \ her memory, and to pay tribute to her work, her International Youth Foundation achievements and her unerring humanity. Trustee & daughter of Joy Bryer The European Union Youth Orchestra IN MEMORY OF JOY BRYER OF JOY IN MEMORY 3 CO-CHAIRMEN’S WELCOME Few individuals can have left their mark on the European We are very grateful to our two residency partners musical scene as our founder Joy Bryer did. Born out of a – Grafenegg and Ferrara – for their strong support, passionate belief in young musicians, in European values, excellent cooperation, positive sense of partnership and in art as a unifying human experience, Joy Bryer died on warmth of welcome. We are fortunate to have two such the exact centenary of the armistice at the end of the first bases in which to work, learn and play. World War. She is irreplaceable. None outside the Orchestra could imagine how small is The Orchestra – her orchestra – plays on into its 43rd the team that drives this remarkable project. We put on year. Even in these deeply uncertain times, it commands record our thanks to Marshall Marcus and Riitta Hirvonen growing recognition as an emblem of European unity and and their colleagues for their commitment, dedication and cooperation through culture. The European Parliament skill in making the EUYO such a thriving, living entity. Culture Committee, following the sterling work of the We thank too our fellow board members, drawn from MEP Rapporteur Silvia Costa, has recommended that the many European countries, with a great wealth of musical, EUYO be part of the new Creative Europe Programme administrative and political contacts between them. from 2021–2027. The Italian Ministry of Culture continues They give time, take interest, make representations, to give Special Project support, and meanwhile our offer advice and travel widely in the interest of the broadcasting partnership with Radiotelevisione Italiana, EUYO. They do not need to. The fact that they do is RAI, is deepening and expanding. hugely appreciated. The spring tour which spans from Milan to Oman points to We believe that the EUYO’s musical presence and the increasing reach and ambition of the EUYO’s influence. example will be as strong this year as it has ever been. We are sure that the young musicians who play in it will have the experience of their lives. Sir John Tusa Ian Stoutzker CBE Co-Chairmen, European Union Youth Orchestra CO-CHAIRMEN’S WELCOME CO-CHAIRMEN’S \ WELCOME 4 5 5 WELCOME \ CO-CHAIRMEN’S WELCOME EUROPEAN UNION WELCOME Dear members of the European Union Youth Orchestra, I am happy to express my support to all of you and to wish you the very best ahead of your 2019 Spring Tour “United in diversity” is to Italy, Austria, Germany, Luxembourg and Oman. the motto of our Union. The months ahead will be a tremendous opportunity. You The capacity to listen and will have the chance to work with leading conductors, respect each other, to work together, soloists and professors, and perform in different countries develop friendships and understanding, are and venues across and beyond the European Union. not only crucial for a successful orchestra, but also for a peaceful and prosperous Union. Most of all, you will become the ambassadors of our common heritage and values, first of all, freedom For this reason, I welcome the theme of the and respect of human dignity. Your role is crucial: as upcoming Spring tour: The Listening Project, young European citizens, you represent the future which aims to underline the importance of of our Union, and as musicians, you can communicate listening in both musical and social terms. across cultural and linguistic boundaries in ways that one cannot with any ordinary languages. Antonio Tajani President of the European Parliament, Honorary President of the European Union Youth Orchestra EUROPEAN UNION WELCOME EUROPEAN \ WELCOME 6 On November 11th, 2018, Europe celebrated a century The European Union Youth Orchestra lets us enjoy since the end of the Great War. On that day, the outstanding musical performances while embodying European Union Youth Orchestra performed at the Arc the highest ideals of the European Union. It acts de Triomphe in Paris, at the official commemoration as EU’s cultural ambassador, showcasing young of the Armistice. That moment represents perfectly musicians’ talent and the richness of European music the deepest meaning of the European project. After on our continent and worldwide. Apart from providing centuries of wars, Europe has become a space where great opportunities to endowed young musicians in our young people can follow their passions across a diverse multinational environment to work with borders. And for over forty years, the EUYO has renowned artists and professors, I am happy that the united the youth of our continent through music. Orchestra goes beyond artistic and musical goals. It is a true pride for me to be an Honorary Patron of the This year, with The Listening Project, the focus is on a Orchestra – which has been directed by some of the best very important aspect of human relations – certainly conductors in the world, and has raised generations of crucial for musicians and audiences, but so vital in young musicians who have then taken up leading roles in our societies. Your project explores listening skills, the world’s best ensembles. But beyond its outstanding communication, empathy, motivation. Listening is quality, the Orchestra is also a symbol and an ambassador. fundamental for personal contacts and relationships, for It is the symbol of a continent finally united by its common creativity. It is also vital for developing open-mindedness, culture. And it is a global ambassador for our European tolerance, understanding and peaceful coexistence in vision – that cooperation can always prevail, even after our societies.