The Gustav Mahler Youth Orchestra (GMYO) was founded in Vienna in 1986 on the initiative of its current music director, Claudio Abbado. In addition to fostering young musical talent, its original mission was also to promote opportunities for young Austrian musicians to perform with colleagues from the former Soviet Union and Hungary. In 1992 the GMYO, which now appears under the auspices of the European Council, opened its membership to musicians from anywhere in Europe up to the age of 26 who could meet its high bar for admission. Through yearly auditions in over 25 European cities, a jury authorized by Abbado selects members from about 2,000 applicants. Experienced instrumentalists from renowned orchestras collaborate with their young colleagues during the rehearsal phase to prepare each program’s repertoire. The GMYO is considered the source of talent for European musicians par excellence. Many former members today serve as principals of acclaimed ensembles, and such celebrated soloists as Renaud and Gautier Capuçon and Alison Balsom gained their first orchestral experience here. Numerous renowned conductors have led the orchestra in its history: along with Claudio Abbado, these include Pierre Boulez, Bernard Haitink, Mariss Jansons, Kent Nagano, Seiji Ozawa, and Franz Welser-Möst; Colin Davis guided the summer tour in 2011, and Ingo Metzmacher conducted twelve concerts in spring 2012. The Gustav Mahler Youth Orchestra regularly performs at Europe’s leading concert venues and festivals in Vienna, Lucerne, Salzburg, and Edinburgh and at the BBC Proms.
LUCERNE FESTIVAL (IMF) debut on 17 August 1990, with Václav Neumann conducting works by Krenek, Mahler, and Dvorák.
May 2012