The new year began with a burst of youthful energy at London's Barbican Hall, as the latest cohort of the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain (NYO) took to the stage for their first public performance. The concert, part of the orchestra's 2026 Shimmer tour, came just a week after the teenage musicians first met, showcasing an astonishing level of preparation and talent.
A Bracing Start with Iberian Sounds
The programme, titled Shimmer, traded festive cheer for the sun-drenched atmospheres of early 20th-century Spain. Under the baton of conductor Alexandre Bloch, the orchestra first navigated the delicate, pointillist landscape of Claude Debussy's Ibéria. Premiered in 1910, the work was presented through a distinctly Gallic lens, with Bloch maintaining impressive control over the NYO's expanded forces. The rhythms juddered effectively, though the sinuous scales of the first movement occasionally lost definition.
The journey continued with Maurice Ravel's Rapsodie Espagnole. Here, the ensemble truly found its feet in the final movement, casting caution aside. The brass section snarled and rasped with character, while the woodwind soared skyward like fireworks, capturing the work's celebratory release.
Contemporary Works Showcase Swagger and Radiance
It was in the contemporary pieces, however, that this new generation of players seemed most at home and impressive. Karim Al-Zand's 2006 work, City Scenes, injected a dose of Bernstein-like, neon brashness. A cheeky, hopping phrase darted around the orchestra with the swagger of a sonic Artful Dodger, while strings and harps provided a gleaming contrast to the streetwise brass and woodwind.
The contrast with Anna Clyne's radiant DANCE (2019) was thrilling. A cello concerto in all but name, it featured soloist Inbal Segev, who crooned and coaxed mesmerising lines from her instrument. The orchestra mirrored her every shifting mood, transforming from a courtly baroque ensemble into a klezmer band and then a jazz group. Leader Aki Blendis and principal cellist Charlotte Shlomowitz engaged in stylish duets with Segev, highlighting the collaborative spirit.
A Glimpse of Breadth and Future Promise
The concert's breadth was further emphasised by an opening group riff on Autumn Leaves—showcasing unexpected but delightful bassoon and tuba solos—and a spirited, sung encore of Rossini's William Tell Overture. This diverse offering provided a compelling snapshot of what these teenagers have begun to master in a remarkably short time.
If this opening performance is any indication, by August this orchestra will be flying. The Shimmer tour continues, offering audiences in other cities a chance to witness this exceptional talent. The NYO performs next at the Warwick Arts Centre in Coventry on 5 January, followed by a concert at the Royal Concert Hall in Nottingham on 6 January.
