Staatskapelle Dresden performs with Mahler Youth Orchestra

For the Sächsische Staatskapelle Dresden, it is a matter of the heart, for the members of the Gustav Mahler Jugendorchester an important experience: when musicians from both orchestras share the desks next Wednesday in Dresden's Kulturpalast, the response in the hall is likely to be particularly great. A program of key works from the Romantic period was selected for the joint performance, all of which are "hits" and already very popular.

Romantic hits in concert

Under the baton of South Korean Myung-Whun Chung - principal guest conductor of the Staatskapelle Dresden - the overture to the opera "Der Freischütz" by Carl Maria von Weber will be followed by Robert Schumann's Piano Concerto in A minor and Antonín Dvořák's Symphony No. 9 "From the New World". The Schumann concerto will be performed by a shooting star of the classical music scene: Yunchan Lim. The South Korean is already an award-winner at the age of 21 and, according to experts, has a great career ahead of him. He will be performing with a German orchestra for the first time in Dresden.

After the concert, he will go on tour to South Korea

After the concert, the participating members of the Gustav Mahler Youth Orchestra will accompany the Staatskapelle on its tour of South Korea. Concerts are planned in Seoul from January 27 to February 1, at the Lotte Concert Hall and the Arts Centre Seoul.

Founded in 1986 by Claudio Abbado (1933-2014), the Gustav Mahler Youth Orchestra brings together young musicians from several countries and is considered one of the most important talent factories in classical music. As the Staatskapelle Dresden is also committed to promoting young musicians, an official partnership was established between the two orchestras in 2010. It enables young musicians to regularly take part in Staatskapelle Dresden concerts.

For some musicians, a return to their roots

Numerous Staatskapelle orchestra members have also made their way through the Gustav Mahler Youth Orchestra. The "Kapelle" - as the orchestra founded in 1548 is known to its fans - currently has 14 former Mahler musicians in its ranks. "The partnership has grown into much more than an institutional connection," explained orchestra spokesperson Julia Gläßer.

The Staatskapelle's work with young talent also includes an academy named after former chief conductor Giuseppe Sinopoli (1946-2001). During a two-year training period and lessons with the Dresden musicians, young musicians can get to know all facets of orchestral playing and the playing and sound culture of the Staatskapelle Dresden.

The Gustav Mahler Youth Orchestra is made up of around 100 talented young men and women from European countries. They are selected at annual auditions in more than 25 cities. An international jury makes a selection from around 2,500 applicants each year. The orchestra is currently based in Vienna, the Italian cities of Bolzano and Pordenone and Lisbon.