German National Youth Orchestra to play for the rivers in Chennai

The National Youth Orchestra of Germany is set to stage an epic performance in the city, and it’s all for a cause — to get youngsters to care for, and protect nature. 
National Youth Orchestra of Germany
National Youth Orchestra of Germany

As Chennai approaches the end of the musical season of Margazhi, the Goethe–Institut/Max Mueller Bhavan is set to present a concert by the 73-piece National Youth Orchestra of Germany. Led by Chief Conductor Hermann Bäumer, the show is a part of the initiative, ‘Embrace Our Rivers’, which aims to create a dialogue on water.

The theme of the concert is ‘Weather and Forces of Nature’. In the extraordinary performance, the elements of music and water flow together as the orchestra plays pieces written especially for rivers (Rhenish by Schuman), on forces of nature (Beethoven), and on geysers or steam springs, as in Geysir by Jón Leifs.

On the one hand, compositional works that project and anchor the theme of the event will be the focus, and on the other, the inter-cultural cooperation and improvisation between Indian and German musicians will be enhanced through workshops for AR Rahman’s Sunshine Orchestra and the students of KM Music Conservatory.

Music for climate
Comprising of Germany’s finest young musicians, all teenagers between the ages of 16 and 19, the highly acclaimed Orchestra’s visit to Chennai, and their performance at The Music Academy, promises an experience of authentic Western classical music for audiences in the city.

Also, as the concert will be held on the eve of Republic Day, the Orchestra will play the Indian national anthem as a finale to the repertoire.

In an email exchange, project director Sönke Lentz says that their choice of the theme, ‘Weather and Forces of Nature’, was made entirely given “a desire for young musicians to protect nature”. He explains, “In the orchestra’s hometown, Bonn, Germany, the world climate summit took place in 2017. That inspired us as musicians to make a statement.” 

<em>Sönke Lentz</em>
Sönke Lentz

The orchestra will translate the theme in a way that “The forces of nature will be heard clearly by the audience,” says Lentz. Referring to their choice of pieces, Lentz offers, “The composers vividly describe natural phenomena such as of geysers and storms. That’s why the music is universal. Whoever knows what a storm sounds like will also hear it in Tchaikovsky’s music.”

For Lentz, the matter of dwindling interest in classical music isn’t a concern at all. “We cannot detect a decline,” says Lentz. “There are many outstanding young musicians in Germany. And a big audience. Especially at our concerts, many youngsters come,” he enthuses. 

However, taking up a full-time career as a classical musician is anything but easy — and with Western classical, the rigours are bound to be that much harder than it is for DJs or rock bands. “First, you need a lot of diligence, talent and luck to make a career — no matter in which genre,” says Lentz. 

“We are happy that Germany has over 100 professional orchestras, and in every major city there 
are theatres, opera houses and concert halls. The competition for young musicians is tough, but if you really want to be a musician, you can do it,” he encourages.

Furthermore, for classical music, “It is a necessity to start training as a child,” says Lentz. “It is not uncommon for musicians to start learning their instrument at the age of six. As always, if you want to learn something very well, you have to practice a lot. On our orchestral stages, we rehearse six hours a day. The evenings are then free for recreation. But the musicians always want to get better, and keep going.” 

Not just classical
For the Orchestra, it’s a huge credit to be working entirely with teenagers, he acknowledes. “The youngest member is 16 years old on this tour,” notes Lentz. “When we perform in Germany or Europe, there are even 14-year-olds on stage. They come from all over Germany, they all love music, and most of them want to make music their profession.”

Having toured widely across Asia, Africa, and North and South America, Lentz also reflects on different cultural backgrounds. “People in all countries love classical music,” he affirms. “In some countries, they are  reluctant to applaud, but people are enthusiastic in their own way. Of course, we are happy to get a long applause.”

Lentz believes an academic understanding isn’t essential to appreciate music. “Classical works do not require special education to understand them,” he urges. “Just listen to the music. The more intensively one deals with music, the more one can discover.” 

In keeping with their ongoing cultural exchanges,the Goethe Institut will also invite five Indian musicians to Germany for the Beethoven-fest, to be held in Bonn later this September. “So, the collaborations will continue.” 

Meanwhile, there is a lot more on the iPods of their  members, assures Lentz. “Of course, they listen to all kinds of music. They go to the disco, and to jazz concerts. But they also listen to a lot of classical.”

As for catching up with their music, the best thing to do is go online, he urges. “Our concerts are perhaps best watched in the Digital Concert Hall of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra official website.” That would be the next best thing to watching them live.

Bundesjugendorchester, the National Youth Orchestra of Germany, will perform live for ‘Embrace Our Rivers’ on January 25, 6.30 pm, at The Music Academy. Entry is free by passes, available at the venue.
 

Related Stories

No stories found.
Indulgexpress
www.indulgexpress.com