2016 NORDIC BALTIC TOUR
The 15-concert 2016 Nordic-Baltic Tour promotes cross-cultural exchange between 80
exceptional young musicians from 25 countries of the Americas, and the community of
Nordic and Baltic nations. Throughout Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Sweden,
Denmark, and Germany, YOA musicians demonstrate the Americas-led movement of
orchestral training for social development, embodying their roles as youth leaders
through interactive performances and workshops. Involving the participation of
outstanding members and alumni from the renowned Boston Philharmonic Youth
Orchestra, participants gain insight into first-hand Nordic and Baltic leadership and
legacies ranging, from gender equality to environmental consciousness. As part of a
commitment to social inclusion, the Tour involves local music camps and work with
refugee communities, among other engagement activities. Through the Nordic-Baltic
Tour, the capacity of YOA musicians as artistic leaders and citizen-musicians is enhanced,
empowering participants to bring the best models from the region back to their home
communities across the Americas.
For more than two thousand years the Baltic Sea has been a meeting place in the story of
humanity. In the days of the Romans, the tribes of the North were venerated for their
honor and beauty, for the purity of their lives, for the moral compass that defined their
actions. They inhabited a place of mystery, with gods of the land, monsters of the sea, and
lords of the sky.
Vast migrations saw the tides of history reshape the Baltic. The arrival of Christianity
transformed the façade of Norse temples into towering wooden churches, and later stone
cathedrals. With the arrival of the Crusades, the Baltic became a gateway between Asia
and Europe, enriching Viking traders who raided, settled, and transformed lands to the
south. These adventurers sailed east to Constantinople and west to modern day Canada.
They imparted diverse legacies including Western Europe’s first modern assembly, and
what would become the fundamentals of European law. The Hanseatic League later
united the Baltic communities through commerce, building vast wealth and regal city
kingdoms from Tallinn to Visby.
Today the Baltic is one of the most modern places on earth—a beacon of advanced
society, integration, and welfare. Despite this modern facade, the communities of the
Baltic retain the spirit and dignity described by Tacitus 2,000 years ago. This is a land of
nature and music; a region filled with voices, singing, and enchanting melodies.
YOA Orchestra of the Americas explores the legacy of the Baltics through a 7-country tour
across the countries whose shores touch its cobalt waters. Baltic ships made the first
known crossing between Europe and the Americas 1,000 years ago. Today this
Hemispheric orchestra makes its own crossing back, sharing its own cultures and
traditions with the living communities of these ancient Baltic lands.
Music is a white light that contains all colors.
Only a prism can divide the colors and make them appear.
This prism is the spirit of the listener.
ARVO PÄRT
TOUR PARTNERS
BOSTON PHILHARMONIC YOUTH ORCHESTRA
The Boston Philharmonic is dedicated to fulfilling a vision of “passionate music making
without boundaries.” The Boston Philharmonic Orchestra (BPO), founded by Benjamin
Zander in 1979, features student, professional, and amateur musicians who present
premier performances of top-notch classical music that are accessible and enjoyable for
both music aficionados and the casual listener. The Boston Philharmonic Youth Orchestra
(BPYO), founded in 2012, is a world-class, tuition-free ensemble that inspires passionate
music-making in young musicians aged 12 to 21 and follows a motto of “shaping future
leaders through music.”
Sharing and inspiring a love of classical music in all parts of our community is a goal
accomplished in many ways. Boston Philharmonic concerts include an innovative preconcert talk with conductor Benjamin Zander, whose explication and expansion of musical
concepts, emotional expression, and other elements of music-making are unparalleled.
Zander has a unique, engaging approach to explaining classical music, and his intense
passion for the art form attracts hundreds of attendees for each talk. As a result, our
audience describes the Boston Philharmonic as “passionate,” “inspiring,” “unique,” and-perhaps our favorite descriptor--”un-stuffy.”
PLMF MUSIC TRUST
PLMF was inaugurated on February 7, 2003 by soprano Pille Lill with the aim to support
the development of talented professional musicians by organizing master classes,
opportunities to perform and by introducing them internationally. The organization
launched with a concert-reception in the Town Hall of Tallinn, in the presence of its
Patron, The Earl of Carlisle as well as the Cultural Minister of Estonia and many
Ambassadors to the Republic of Estonia. Estonian friends of Opera and Music from all
walks of life were also present.
RESIDENCE AND WORKSHOPS
The city of Tallinn in Estonia, serves as home base for the YOA 2016 Residence. 80
musicians from more than 25 countries of the Americas study with a faculty of leading
orchestral mentors from the Berlin Philharmonic, Rome Opera, New York Philharmonic,
and other distinguished institutions. Each day includes dedicated orchestral and sectional
training activities, while evenings involve master classes, chamber concerts, and
leadership workshops.
YOA’s mission is to empower young musical leaders to transform lives across the
Americas and beyond. Thus, throughout the Residence, YOA musicians work with regional
youth in the Estonian Music Camp. This is a “camp experience” for up to 20 Estonian
classical musicians that will benefit from the YOA Orchestra of the Americas Residence.
Teenagers and young adults will receive instruction from renowned members of YOA
Faculty, will take part in chamber music rehearsals and concerts, and will attend sectional
coaching sessions and rehearsals.
YOA’s Residence and concerts in Estonia are a unique opportunity that showcases the
power of music for youth social inclusion, even in developed countries. There are kids
who can grow in confidence and envision a promising future everywhere in the world.
CONCERTS
NORDIC BALTIC TOUR CONCERTS
July 11
July 13
July 14
July 15
July 16
July 17
July 20
July 21
July 22
July 24
July 26
July 27
July 28
July 31
August 2
Festival Glasperlenspiel, Tartu, Estonia
XXIV Rapla Church Music Festival, Rapla, Estonia
Tallinna Tehnikaülikool, Tallinn, Estonia
Saint John’s Cathedral, Tallinn, Estonia
Great Amber Concert Hall, Liepaja, Latvia
Pažaislis Music Festival, Kaunas, Lithuania
International Emanacje Festival, Luslawice, Poland
Sala Operowa Centrum Spotkania Kultur, Lublin, Poland
Festival Ogrody Muzyczne, Warsaw, Poland
Leksands Kyrka, Leksand, Sweden
Dala-Järna Kyrka, Dala-Järna, Sweden
Stora Tuna Kyrka, Stora Tuna, Sweden
Vadstena Kyrka, Vadstena, Sweden
Sorø International Music Festival, Sjælland, Denmark
Kultursommer Nordhessen Festival, Kassel, Germany
REPERTOIRE
NORDIC BALTIC TOUR REPERTOIRE
REVUELTAS:
BRAHMS:
PÄRT:
DEBUSSY:
BERNSTEIN:
BERNSTEIN:
GINASTERA:
REINVERE:
MENDELSSOHN
SAINT-SAËNS:
MOZART:
Noche de los Mayas
Symphony No. 1
Two Lullabies
Prélude à l’après-midi d’un faune
Candide Overture
Symphonic Dances from West Side Story
Variaciones Concertantes
World Premiere
Violin Concerto in E minor
Cello Concerto in A minor
Piano Concerto No. 23 in A Major