Felix Mendelssohn Jugendorchester

• Classical Music

In addition to the outstanding ambassador programme, The Young ClassX is looking forward to tackling new horizons on this evening and inaugurating the format of »The Young ClassX Artist« with none other than Friedrich Thiele. Thiele is regarded as one of the leading cellists of the younger generation and, in addition to his solo and chamber music commitments, is now concertmaster of the cellos in the Staatskapelle Dresden. As »The ClassX Artist«, he performs not only as a soloist, but also as a coach and mentor; on the one hand for the entire orchestra, but in particular also for the young violinist Nath-Minh Duong, long-time concertmaster of the MJO. He is a multiple prizewinner of the national competition »Jugend musiziert« and a member of the national youth orchestra. Together they will perform the marvellous double concerto by Johannes Brahms.


Brahms himself was also an important mentor for the young up-and-coming composer and pianist Ernst von Dohnányi. With these entertaining and colourful »Symphonic Minutes«, he already points far into the world of film music. Dohnányi finally left Europe in 1948 to seek new horizons in America.

The third work also comes from America: the 3rd Symphony by Florence Price. She was the first African-American composer whose work was published and performed (including by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra). With her music, she tried to create spaces for women composers and for the African-American movement. In doing so, she has found a very personal language that is both moving and captivating, based on folklore.

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The MJO, which was awarded the European Prize for Young Orchestras, is one of the largest youth orchestras in Germany and has been an integral part of The Young ClassX e.V., an initiative of the Otto Group and Salut Salon, for over 10 years. Its outstanding commitment was honoured in 2022 with the OPUS Klassik award for the best promotion of young talent.

Artistic director and conductor Clemens Malich has been leading the young musicians to top performances and rousing energy for 20 years now. His commitment to the development of young musicians is reflected not only in his work with the Mendelssohn orchestra family, but also in his many years as a lecturer at the Hochschule für Musik und Theater, the Andreas Franke Academy for the Highly Gifted, the Kauffmann Foundation and the Youth Chamber Music Initiative.

PERFORMERS

Felix Mendelssohn Jugendorchester orchestra

Nhat-Minh Duong violin

Friedrich Thiele violoncello

Clemens Malich conductor

PROGRAM

Johannes Brahms
Konzert für Violine, Violoncello und Orchester a-Moll op. 102

Ernst von Dohnányi
Sinfonische Minuten op. 36

Florence B. Price
Sinfonie Nr. 3 c-Moll