Art of learning from the Zurich youth orchestra
How does a young musician acquire the necessary training in order to become a member of an orchestra? One way is through the creation of top-level student orchestras where the soloists are the ensembles’ directors and teachers. This week, the Greek public is offered the chance to witness this process, as the Zurich Youth Symphony Orchestra is touring four cities, interpreting works by Saint-Saens, Rossini and Dvorak under the baton of Mark Kiskoki with Greek pianist Evangelos Sarafianos as the soloist. Born in Cairo, Sarafianos graduated from the Athens Music School and is currently engaged in busy recital activity in Europe, while he has also recorded works by Chopin. The Zurich Youth Symphony Orchestra was established in 1987, and today has 60 students in its ranks, ranging from 14- to 25-year-olds. The orchestra is acquiring important touring experience, with performances in the United States, France, Britain and Germany. The orchestra’s concerts in Greece began last night at the Conference Center of the University of Patras, in Rio, while tonight the ensemble is scheduled to appear at the University of Deree campus at Aghia Paraskevi, in Athens. On Wednesday, the orchestra will perform in Veria, while on Friday their final concert will be part of the Dimitria Festival events in Thessaloniki. Among the authors for whose books Kastaniotis has bought the rights are Nobel-prize winners Nadine Gordimer and Isaac Bashevis Singer.
