THEME MUSIC - Adolphus Hailstork - Sonata da Chiesa

Jeff Spurgeon: Good evening to you from Carnegie Hall. This is the third night of Carnegie Hall's World Orchestra Week. Seven nights, well, one day and six nights of live concert broadcasts from Carnegie Hall. This is a celebration of youth orchestras from five continents around the world. Carnegie Hall's World Orchestra Week. I'm Jeff Spurgeon alongside Annie Bergen.

Annie Bergen: Hi, Jeff, and thank you. Tonight we are hearing music performed by the Africa United Youth Orchestra, composed of stellar young musicians from several African countries. This is the orchestra's north American debut, organized by the Mzansi National Philharmonic Orchestra, based in South Africa. It came together with the help of the Philharmonic's chief executive and artistic director, Bongani Tembe. Carnegie Hall's executive and artistic director, Clive Gillinson, told us about the evolution of this orchestra and his own friendship with its founder, who he has known for decades.

Clive Gillinson: When I spoke to him, I said, "Look, I don't know whether it's possible, but our dream would be that this orchestra isn't just about South Africa, but it represents Africa more generally." He said, "Clive, that is what I've wanted to do all my life. Let me see what we can do." He puts together musicians from Kenya, from Mozambique, from the Republic of the Congo, from Nigeria, from various places. He's done this extraordinary job which then created an orchestra specifically for this festival.

Jeff Spurgeon: The voice of Carnegie Hall's executive and artistic director, Clive Gillinson. This ensemble, the Africa United Youth Orchestra, was created for this festival, and the orchestra just had its debut a few days ago in Pretoria at the University of South Africa. The conductor for this program is William Eddins, music director emeritus of the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra. He's had a few other positions, associate conductor of the Minnesota Orchestra. That's a city that he calls home now in Minneapolis.

He's worked in South Africa on and off for decades and has a real affinity for the country. He's been with these young musicians only a short time, but he loves the idea of the united part of the Africa United Youth Orchestra.

William Eddins: It's been really fun seeing this as a more continent-wide entity. It's not just about South Africa. I mean, South Africa took the lead in putting this together and bringing it here to Carnegie Hall, but you have all these, these young people from these different surrounding countries with their cultures and their wonderful ways of dressing, and it's been terrific being a part of this community. I can see this expanding to the point where young people from all over the continent are coming in to do this.

Annie Bergen: The orchestra is brand new with just one concert under its belt, but what they may lack in time together, they more than make up for in spirit and dedication, and conductor William Eddins is thrilled to help guide them.

William Eddins: The concert in Carnegie will be the second concert this orchestra ever plays. Talking about coming out of the gate, right? You're trying to create and mold something that has never been done before. I thought the first concert in Jo'burg went very, very considering that these young folks had been together for a couple of days. I have been with them for a day. It's hard to make music that way, but if there is the desire from deep down inside you have to do this, then you have a chance of actually making music.

Jeff Spurgeon: Conductor William Eddins, who's just a few feet away from Annie and I backstage at Carnegie Hall getting ready for the first piece on this program by composer Michael Mosoeu Moerane written in 1941, part of Moerane's Bachelor of music degree at the University of South Africa. The english title of the work is My Country, a reference to Lesotho, an enclave in South Africa. The musical material is based on indigenous themes from that region.

Annie Bergen: We'll also hear arias from two operas by South African composer James Stephen Mzilikazi Khumalo, and the first half concludes with another South African composer, Bongani Ndodana-Breen. So a lot of new names and pieces for us to describe in this first half of a concert by the Africa United Youth Orchestra.

Jeff Spurgeon: There are also two vocal soloists in the first half of this program, both South African sopranos Masabane Cecilia Rangwanasha and Goitsemang Lehobye. After the first work on the program, Goitsemang Lehobye will sing a work from an opera, Nandi's Aria. She'll perform that in the Zulu language. We spoke to her a couple of days ago at rehearsal. Zulu is not her first language, but she's picked up a lot of the clicking sounds necessary for the work.

Goitsemang Lehobye: They have a C, the letter C, which is a click, and then they have the letter X, which is [clicking sound], and they have the letter Q, which is a [clicking sound], which is the hardest one. That's the hard click. I have a lot of the hard clicks in the song where I go [Zulu language] in the middle of the song, which kind of makes it difficult because you have to stop the melody from flowing to set up the tongue to do the click.

Jeff Spurgeon: Soprano Goitsemang Lehobye, we're looking forward to hearing her technique in that work and of course, all of the works on this program.

Annie Bergen: We have a second singer tonight doing another aria from a Khumalo opera which she will also sing in Zulu and she'll sing a second piece in Afrikaans, and then the rest of our concert is devoted to one piece, Dvořák’s New World Symphony. Members of the National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America are joining this orchestra tonight for the entire concert.

Jeff Spurgeon: You hear the Africa United Youth Orchestra tuning up on stage. Gilah Kellner is the Concertmaster. We expect a few words from her before the performance begins. The musicians came into the hall just before our broadcast began. They came in from the back of the hall where the audience comes in and there was wonderful applause and cheers for these young people, some in western dress, some in dress of various African nations, beautifully decorated costumes.

A real mix of looks as well from the stage now. Now we're going to hear from the Concertmaster on this program. Here she is, Gilah Kellner.

[applause]

Gilah Kellner: Hello. [Afrikaans language] Oh. Wonderful. [foreing language] Sawubona. Molweni. Oh, thank you. These are some of the beautiful languages of our country. However, I must also say bonjour, allo, [foreign language], jambo, because these are some of the beautiful languages of our continent. Tonight we have other continents present here. Please, would the Afghan Youth Orchestra, stand up and present yourselves to the audience.

[applause]

Next, please, would the Beijing Youth Orchestra, stand up.

[applause]

Then the National Children's Symphony of Venezuela, please.

[applause]

NYO-USA, your turn.

[applause]

Last but not least, NYO2, please stand up and make yourself known.

[applause]

Gilah Kellner: Thank you so much for coming to our concert. And, just as a note, congratulations NYO2 and National Children's Symphony of Venezuela for your stunning and inspirational performances. Congratulations.

[applause]

Ladies and gentlemen, music is a language. As Maestro Abrams said on our first performance of the WOW Festival, you can't leave it there. Why is music a language? Music is a language because when we learn to play and to perform together as a team, as we have been trying to do, and as I'm sure all of the young orchestras here tonight have been trying to do, we can communicate in a deep and very effective way.

Second, when we have achieved, or have tried to achieve, this type of communication, we create unity within diversity. This is powerful, and it must be protected and fostered. Tonight, ladies and gentlemen, we are so proud to present to you South African music. Did you know that it's actually the first time that Zulu and Afrikaans will be sung in Carnegie Hall? It's really amazing.

[applause]

The South African music you will hear in this first half is dynamic and showcases the full talent of South Africa. I think my favorite work will be Nandi's Arias. Well, one aria. The other one is another one of Khumalo's arias. I love Nandi's aria, not just because I have a solo in it, but because Khumalo, in his writing, merges traditional Western art music practices and sounds with South African traditions and sounds. This, I find truly beautiful.

When I heard Nandi's Aria for the first time, it was confirmed for me the importance and beauty of South African music. I know I am, and as I have said, we are very honored to perform it here for you in the great, legendary Carnegie Hall.

[applause]

Ladies and gentlemen, it is an honor to perform for you tonight. We are grateful and thrilled to perform for you. I am very, very proud to present to you the individuals and the musicians of the Africa United Youth Orchestra. Please enjoy our performance. Thank you.

[applause]

Jeff Spurgeon: Concertmaster Gilah Kellner with words welcoming all the other orchestras involved in the World on Orchestra Week to this performance at Carnegie Hall and the audience. Of course, you heard her lovely words, unity within diversity, something to be protected and fostered. Our concert is about to begin with Fatše La Heso (My Country) by Michael Mosoeu Moerane, performed by the Africa United Youth Orchestra and conductor William Eddins. We're just waiting for that stage door to open, and then the performance will begin.

[applause]

Out on stage, Conductor William Eddins and the members of the Africa United Youth Orchestra on their feet, a greeting to Concertmaster Gilah Kellner. We hope that you are understanding the excitement of World Orchestra Week at Carnegie Hall. This is the third concert in it, and now it begins. From Carnegie Hall, live to you.

[MUSIC - Michael Mosoeu Moerane: Fatše La Heso (My Country)] [applause]

Annie Bergen: The piece we just heard is called My Country Written in 1941 by South African composer, Michael Mosoeu Moerane. Performed by the Africa United Youth Orchestra, conducted by William Eddins. I'm Annie Bergen and we are broadcasting live all this week from Carnegie Hall. It's World Orchestra Week, a celebration and showcase of youth orchestras from around the world. I'm backstage at Carnegie with my co-host, Jeff Spurgeon.

Jeff Spurgeon: We turn now to another South African composer. We'll hear music of Professor James Steven Mzilikazi Khumalo, but now we hear from another member of the orchestra.

Nathan Olusimire: Hello everyone. My name is Nathan Olusimire. I am from Lagos, Nigeria.

[applause]

Thank you. It is an immense honor to perform with the Africa United Youth Orchestra alongside the distinguished ensembles present here today, like the Children Orchestra of Venezuela, the Beijing Youth Symphony Orchestra, the NYO-USA, the NYO2-USA, the Afghan Youth Orchestra, and the European Union Youth Orchestra, in what has been an extraordinary World Orchestra Week festival so far. This evening, we'll be presenting the Dvořák’s 9th Symphony, a composition that has profoundly shaped my musical journey.

The Symphony's exquisite horn solo in the first and fourth movement, the enchanting words in the second movement, and the dynamic horn call and response in the third movement showcases a wide variety of horn playing. This has deeply inspired me as it is fascinating to convey different characters and emotions through the horn. Last year, I had the privilege of participating in a music festival here in New York City, The Imani Winds Music Festival and to return now, representing my country Nigeria, my continent Africa is such an incredible opportunity that fills me with so much gratitude.

Performing at Carnegie Hall is a truly transcendent experience. I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to Mzansi Philharmonic Orchestra, all the sponsors, Carnegie Hall, all the participants, and, of course, you, for making this possible. Thank you all for coming. Sit back, enjoy the concert and be wowed. Thank you.

[applause]

Jeff Spurgeon: French horn player, Nathan Olusimire, speaking from the stage as we get ready for the next work on our program. Conductor William Eddins and our soprano, Goitsemang Lehobye backstage getting ready to share with us Nandi's Aria from the opera uShaka KaSenzagakhona.

[applause]

Out on stage now they go. She, in a beautiful green dress decorated with an African waistband and other decorations. Now we hear Nandi's Aria from Carnegie Hall Live with the Africa United Youth Orchestra.

[MUSIC - James Steven Mzilikazi Khumalo: Nandi's Aria] [applause]

Jeff Spurgeon: An aria from a coral symphonic work about the famous Zulu King Shaka. That was Goitsemang Lehobye singing Nandi's Aria. The music of Mzilikazi Khumalo, the Africa United Youth Orchestra, conducted by William Eddins. A broadcast from Carnegie Hall, this concert by the Africa United Youth Orchestra during World Orchestra Week.

Annie Bergen: Beautiful aria and a favorite of our conductors, I've heard. We are welcoming our second singer now, soprano Masabane Cecilia Rangwanasha, who was born in the Limpopo province of South Africa. She started to sing at an early age in school and church.

[applause]

Studied at the University of Cape Town, won many awards including BBC Cardiff Singer of the World in 2021. She's been at the Palms in London and in opera houses around the world. She's going to sing another work from Composer Khumalo. Now this is from his opera, Princess Magogo.

[MUSIC - James Steven Mzilikazi Khumalo: Princess Magogo-Sengiyeza] [applause]

Annie Bergen: An aria from the Opera Princess Magogo, the first adopted by a Black South African, composed by Mzilikazi Khumalo. We heard Sengiyeza sung by Soprano Masabane Cecilia Rangwanasha joined by the Africa United Youth Orchestra as part of World Orchestra Week here at Carnegie Hall. Our conductor is William Eddins. I'm Annie Bergen, backstage with Jeff Spurgeon.

[pause 00:41:35]

[MUSIC - Bongani Ndodana-Breen-Die Kind: Soprano Masabane Cecilia Rangwanasha]

[applause]

Jeff Spurgeon: A performance from Carnegie Hall by Soprano Masabane Cecilia Rangwanasha. One of three orchestral songs on poems of Ingrid Jonker by composer Bongani Ndodana-Breen. Performed with the Africa United Youth Orchestra conducted by William Eddins. Ms. Rangwanasha, who sang that in the Afrikaans language, told us the tragic story of that poem she just sang.

Masabane Cecilia Rangwanasha: It's about a child that was shot during the '60s. She believed that the child is not dead, the child is alive because the child is everywhere, and now the child is traveling without a pass because back then the Black people had to travel with a pass.

Jeff Spurgeon: Masabane Cecilia Rangwanasha speaking about this poem written by Ingrid Jonker, a white South African. She was one of the founders of the Afrikaans Literature and was a progressive in the 1950s and '60s.

[applause]

?Goitsemang Lehobye: [00:50:01] We are taking you to South Africa.

[MUSIC - Miriam Makeba: Pata Pata]

[applause]

Annie Bergen: Pata Pata and all the members of the Africa United Orchestra on their feet, sung by Goitsemang Lehobye and Masabane Cecilia Rangwanasha. Here at Carnegie Hall, concluding the first half of our program, that dance pop song popularized by Miriam Makeba.

Jeff Spurgeon: Certainly it's been sung in New York more than a few times. In fact, not so very far away from where we are right now, Miriam Makeba sang that on The Ed Sullivan Show back in the 1960s. If you don't know who Ed Sullivan is, go ask your grandparents.

Annie Bergen: Google it.

Jeff Spurgeon: They'll tell you all about it. An amazing first half of this concert, and you hear the joy and enthusiasm of this Africa United Youth Orchestra and Conductor William Eddins. First half of music entirely by South African composers here. In the second half of this concert by the Africa United Youth Orchestra, they will bring you Dvorak’s New World Symphony. We will be ready for that as well.

This is Classical New York, WQXR 105.9 FM at HD Newark, 90.3 FM WQXW Ossining, and WNYC FM HD2 New York. Backstage at Carnegie Hall for this concert, the third in Carnegie Hall's World Orchestra Week Festival of Youth orchestras from five continents. I'm Jeff Spurgeon alongside Annie Bergen.

Annie Bergen: Many of the works we heard tonight getting their Carnegie Hall premiere this evening. If you've ever wondered about the history of Carnegie Hall, you are in luck. There is a podcast for that, it's called If This Hall Could Talk, made in collaboration with WQXR, hosted by Broadway star, Jessica Vosk. It features the voices of historical experts, performers, Carnegie Hall's in-house by Kravis and much more. They take you on a tour throughout significant moments in our cultural history, so check it out. If This Hall Could Talk, available wherever you get your podcasts.

Jeff Spurgeon: We have a couple of guests at our microphones now. We're going to talk in just a moment to one of the members of the Africa United Youth Orchestra. First, we'll spend a little time with one of the amazing men in the African continent in the world of music. We are so pleased to have Bongani Tembe at our microphones tonight.

Good evening. This must be a thrilling fulfillment of a dream for you, this concert tonight.

Bongani Tembe: Yes. It was so wonderful. It sounded like a rock concert.

[laughter]

Jeff Spurgeon: Yes, it did.

Bongani Tembe: That encore is called Pata Pata, which was made famous by Miriam Makeba.

Annie Bergen: Yes. Yes, indeed.

Jeff Spurgeon: When did you learn about this project? Clive Gillinson gave you a phone call, I think.

Bongani Tembe: Yes. We had lunch with Clive about two years ago. He said, "I want to bring youth orchestras from all continents." As you know, Clive is just one of the most wonderful people. He believes, like us, in the power of music to bring people together.

Annie Bergen: How did you recruit all the musicians?

Bongani Tembe: We had musicians from top orchestras, the principal flutist of the New York Philharmonic was one of them. The concert master, Pieter Schoeman, of the London Philharmonic Orchestra. Musicians from top orchestras around the world really auditioned all these musicians. Yes.

Jeff Spurgeon: This project is the realization in a way of certainly Clive's dream, but also yours, I think, to make up an orchestra of all kinds of-- Forgive me, players from all kinds of African nations.

Bongani Tembe: Yes. I've always wanted to do this, to really allow young people to just come together and really show us excellence, inspire us, as we've just seen. It is the realization of a dream, you are right.

Jeff Spurgeon: Is there hope for another piece of this project? Do you think that we're going to plant some seeds here for things to happen as time goes on?

Bongani Tembe: Yes. I think if we can raise the resources, you're going to see this orchestra tour and perform every year. Also, they're inspiring young people from all over Africa to show that really when you apply yourself and you're disciplined, you can achieve anything.

Jeff Spurgeon: It's a really wonderful thing. We should speak with one of your young students.

Annie Bergen: Musicians. Craig.

Jeff Spurgeon: Craig Nicholas, step to the microphone.

Craig Nicholas: I'm here.

Jeff Spurgeon: What instrument do you play?

Craig Nicholas: I play the tuba.

Jeff Spurgeon: Where are you from?

Craig Nicholas: Yes, I'm from Cape Town, South Africa.

Jeff Spurgeon: When did you learn about the Africa United Youth Orchestra?

Craig Nicholas: Funny enough, I just got a random WhatsApp message with the flyer that said, audition for this orchestra, and it's like, what? Never have I ever heard of a continental orchestra. That was about a couple of months ago.

Jeff Spurgeon: This orchestra came together quite quickly.

Craig Nicholas: Quite quickly, yes.

Bongani Tembe: Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes. Only this year, yes.

Annie Bergen: What's it been like working with musicians from other African countries?

Craig Nicholas: I think that's the best part. I've never got to see players from outside of South Africa. We have three orchestras in, well, three major orchestras, if I can put it that way, in South Africa. Out of that group, that's all we see. Now I get to share a stage with my fellow brothers and my fellow sisters from Africa. It's fantastic to learn where they come from, and how they do things, and how we can incorporate this wonderful unity of an African orchestra. I think that's the most special.

Jeff Spurgeon: We should also salute you because, as we mentioned to the audience earlier, but we'll say it again, this is only the second time the orchestra has performed in public. You had a concert in Johannesburg, what, a week ago or something like that?

Craig Nicholas: Yes, we had a concert last week in Pretoria. Out of that, we only had one day of rehearses with Master Eddins. One day, which was incredible.

Annie Bergen: He worked his magic.

Craig Nicholas: Yes. We had an assistant conductor from South Africa as well, Master Daniel Boico. He prepared us, but as soon as Mr. Eddins stood on the podium, it was just wow.

Jeff Spurgeon: What has your adventure been like in New York, besides getting over jet lag, of course?

Craig Nicholas: We're still trying to get over jet lag. It's a major thing, but it's been fantastic. It's like Cape Town on steroids. It's just amazing. Last night after the concert, I went down to the train station, Grand Central.

Bongani Tembe: Grand Central?

Craig Nicholas: Stood there, got goosebumps. I was like, "This is just a train station. How can it be so-- It's a wonderful experience, and it's really great here.

Jeff Spurgeon: Oh, I'm sorry. Go ahead.

Annie Bergen: How long are you gonna be in town?

Craig Nicholas: We've got a couple of days to leave. I think we've got two to three days.

Jeff Spurgeon: You have a big event coming on Monday, too.

Craig Nicholas: Yes.

Jeff Spurgeon: It's not open to the public, but you and all of the members of all of the orchestras, 700 of you, are going to be at the Javits Convention Center playing together with Gustavo Dudamel.

Craig Nicholas: That is amazing. That's just giving me the shiver bumps as you're saying that. People need to bring the earplugs, but it's going to be flipping amazing. I cannot wait. I met Gustavo Dudamel today. What a fantastic guy.

Jeff Spurgeon: What a fantastic experience. I have to believe, Mr. Tembe, that, again, that this is a dream come true for you.

Bongani Tembe: Yes. I'm just surprised. We went to Penn Station because we were supposed to sleep by 09:30 last night.

[laughter]

Jeff Spurgeon: We've met a musician and learned about curfew being broken already, too. It's so important when you come to the microphones at Carnegie Hall, the things that you can learn.

Bongani Tembe: I must thank the South African government via the National Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, who've helped us with these resources, and Mzansi National Philharmonic Orchestra, our national orchestra. Everyone just put resources, and of course, Carnegie Hall was massive to do something like this. I love the relationship between all the continents youth orchestras. You saw the rapport, and it's just a wonderful thing. Monday is going to be just glorious. 700 of them. Can you imagine?

Annie Bergen: Unbelievable.

Jeff Spurgeon: We won't need microphones to hear it, if you're in New York City. The noise will go far. The sound will go far. Bongani Tembe, thank you so much for a few minutes with you tonight. Congratulations on this wonderful achievement.

Bongani Tembe: Thank you, sir.

Jeff Spurgeon: It's really a beautiful thing. Craig, what are you looking forward to in the Dvořák 9? What's your favorite part.

Craig Nicholas: Actually, it's a funny story about the tuber part and Dvořák 9. Dvořák only wrote 14 notes in the entire symphony for the tuber player. There's a funny story about that, and I don't think I should say over the radio, but basically, I think someone was seeing his wife, and I think it was the tuber player. He tried to get a bit of revenge, and he wrote seven notes at the beginning of the second movement and seven notes at the end of the second movement. That's cool. I've got to take it in. I've got to soak all this energy up.

Jeff Spurgeon: That's right. We look forward to all 14 of those notes.

Craig Nicholas: Fantastic. Thanks.

Jeff Spurgeon: Thank you so much. Craig Nelson, tuber player in the Africa United Youth Orchestra, and Bongani Tembe, an amazing person in music all across the continent of Africa. Also he spent some time on the performing stage, too, as a lead singer. Do you have any opera appearances in your upcoming schedule, sir?

Bongani Tembe: Next year sometime, yes.

Jeff Spurgeon: You don't want to tell us what or where?

Bongani Tembe: Somewhere in South Africa.

Jeff Spurgeon: Mr. Tembe has performed leading roles in a number of operas, including Gounod's Faust and some Wagner. He's an experienced stage animal, as well as being a major impresario. We thank you both for coming to the microphone.

Annie Bergen: Thank you.

Craig Nicholas: Thank you very much.

Bongani Tembe: Thank you so much. Thank you.

Jeff Spurgeon: Still to come in the second half of this concert, one pieced Dvořák's New World Symphony, but while we still have some time in intermission, let's listen to some highlights of what has already happened during World Orchestra Week here at Carnegie Hall. Last night, it was Gustavo Dudamel and the National Children's Symphony of Venezuela. Listen to some of the music made here at Carnegie Hall last night by musicians ages 10 to 17. This is one of the four dances from Estancia, The Ballet, by Alberto Ginastera.

[MUSIC - Gustavo Dudamel and National Children's Symphony of Venezuela: Four Dances from Estancia]

[applause]

[MUSIC - Gustavo Dudamel and National Children's Symphony of Venezuela: Four Dances from Estancia]

[applause]

Annie Bergen: One of the many highlights from last Night's World Orchestra Week concert with the National Children's Symphony of Venezuela, a portion of the four dances from Estancia by Alberto Ginastera, the conductor, of course, Gustavo Dudamel.

Jeff Spurgeon: At this concert by the Africa United Youth Orchestra, we are nearing the end of intermission. The musicians are finding their way back on stage after taking a little break at intermission members of the Africa United Youth Orchestra, as well as members of the National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America. We're looking forward now to hearing them perform Dvořák's Symphony Number 9 from the New World, and Carnegie Hall's Executive of Artistic Director, Clive Gillinson, told us about the decision to have some members of the NYO-USA join these African players on stage.

Clive Gillinson: Apart from the sheer breadth of this orchestra and the first ever Pan-African Youth Orchestra, there will be a few players from the NYO as well involved in the orchestra. We've done that throughout the whole project because the Ukrainian young musicians are playing in another orchestra, as well as are the Palestinians and the Jewish musicians. The reason for connecting in that way and involving some of our players in the Pan-African Youth Orchestra is as well to have people having the chance to play together, who would never otherwise get the chance. We're trying to make connections too.

Annie Bergen: Lots of connections being made this week. In addition to the members of the NYO-USA sitting in with the young musicians from Africa tonight, eight performers from Nazareth, Israel, four Jewish and four Arab musicians will be playing with the NYO-USA on Monday. Members from Ukraine will play with the European Union Youth Orchestra on Tuesday, and members from that European orchestra will play with the Afghan Youth Orchestra on Wednesday. We have a little bit of United Nations happening right here on 57th Street.

Jeff Spurgeon: Yes, it's really true. That is, as you heard Clive Gillinson say, one of the great purposes of this World Orchestra Week is to bring all of these young people from five continents to New York City to experience playing music together. On Monday, as we told you, all 700 of them will be at the Javits Center, not open to the public, but there'll be news coverage of it for sure. We are about to hear the fruits of some of that collaboration as members of the African United Youth Orchestra and the National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America are ready for our final work on this program.

Annie Bergen: It is Antonin Dvořák's New World Symphony. He wrote this, his 9th symphony in 1893 while living here in New York, working as a director of the National Conservatory of Music. The piece premiered in this very hall in December of that year, and some of the influences include Native American music and Black spirituals. We're waiting for a member of the Africa United Youth Orchestra to say a few about the piece.

Jeff Spurgeon: We're keeping an eye on the stage, but we haven't yet seen Blandina Dimande, a violist who's going to be speaking to the audience before this piece begins. We can certainly remind you that Dvořák's 9th Symphony connecting a youth orchestra from South Africa and other African nations, and this national youth orchestra being connected through the work of a European composer who found work in the New World 130 years ago.

We're looking for that violist. I just don't see anybody standing up from the orchestra quite yet, Annie.

Annie Bergen: No, not yet.

Jeff Spurgeon: We'll have a player rising up in just a moment, I'm sure.

Annie Bergen: According to Dvořák's notes, the beautiful second movement, the Largo, was inspired by a Native American leader, Hiawatha's journey across the American Plains with his wife. Beautiful piece.

Jeff Spurgeon: It looks like the orchestra's going to tune first. Perhaps we'll hear from Blandina Dimande after the orchestra has gotten itself all tuned up for the Dvořák 9. We heard lots of unfamiliar work in the first half of this concert, and we'll hear very familiar piece now in the second half. I would like to remind everyone listening again that this amazing ensemble has performed in concert one time before.

This is their second concert ever with some limited rehearsals, and you can imagine the logistical effort of getting all of these young people together from across Africa to do their rehearsals and begin preparation, and then to bring them to New York for the very special experience of being part of Carnegie Hall's World Orchestra Week. This is going to be a special performance by an amazing group of young people. The tuning is concluded, and here comes our violist.

[applause]

Blandina Dimande: Good evening, everyone. I hope you enjoyed our first half of the concert.

[applause]

My name is Blandina Dimande, and I'm from Maputo in Mozambique.

[applause]

It's an honor being part of the first generation of Africa United Youth Orchestra and to have the opportunity to perform at Carnegie Hall as part of our debut.

[applause]

I would also like to acknowledge our friends from NYO-USA who is joining us tonight in this second half.

[applause]

Tonight, we have the extraordinary privilege of performing the Dvořák's 9th Symphony. The Symphony has a deep historical roots here at Carnegie Hall. The symphony was premiered here at this iconic venue, and now we, the Africa United Youth Orchestra, will have the opportunity to make our debut at Carnegie Hall.

[applause]

This connection between past and present across continent and cultures is a powerful reminder of music's ability to transcend boundaries and bring people together. Thank you all for coming to this concert. Thank you. Enjoy. Thank you too much.

[applause]

Jeff Spurgeon: Violist Blandina Dimande, offering a few remarks before a very special singular performance of Dvořák's Symphony Number 9 “From the New World” coming to you in this third concert of Carnegie Hall's World Orchestra Week, a performance by the Africa United Youth Orchestra and members of NYO-USA.

[applause]

Annie Bergen: Conductor William Eddins heading out on stage to conduct this performance.

[applause]

[MUSIC - DVOŘÁK Symphony No. 9, "From the New World"

[applause]

Jeff Spurgeon: A work that premiered right here at Carnegie Hall, almost 131 years ago by the New York Philharmonic’s Conductor Anton Seidl. Antonin Dvorak's Symphony No. 9, “From the New World”, performed in this concert by the Africa United Youth Orchestra, with members of the National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America, conducted by William Eddins, the third concert in World Orchestra Week, a wow of a festival indeed at Carnegie Hall.

Annie Bergen: The Conductor William Eddins now singling out the different sections of the orchestra, triumphantly responding to the cheers of the audience now, all of the musicians standing. What a great night.

[applause]

Jeff Spurgeon: Backstage at Carnegie Hall, I'm Jeff Spurgeon along with Annie Bergen. WQXR is bringing you seven concerts, all of the seven major concerts in World Orchestra Week, a festival of youth orchestras from five continents happening in the first week of August, 2024. Now just stepping off stage with a great big smile on his face, Conductor William Eddins, who by the way, dealt with Dvorak's 9th entirely from memory, didn't have a score in front of him for that performance.

We'll tell you again, one of the most amazing things about this concert today. This is only the second time this orchestra has performed together. The Africa United Youth Orchestra had its first performance about a week ago in Johannesburg. Then they came to New York City for a couple of rehearsals with William Eddins and produced the music that you had just heard tonight from Carnegie Hall. All the musicians on their feet, once again, Conductor Eddins out in front. We've heard an amazing concert of music tonight. Dvorak in the second half, in the first half of program entirely of South African composers.

[MUSIC - The Tokens: The Lion Sleeps Tonight]

[applause]

Annie Bergen: A spontaneous encore from the entire orchestra, the Africa United Youth Orchestra on their feet playing that traditional Kwela music. You might have recognized the oh wimoweh, The Lion Sleeps Tonight.

Jeff Spurgeon: It was indeed a spontaneous encore, even Conductor William Eddins didn't know it was going to happen. This is the enthusiasm.

Annie Bergen: The joy.

Jeff Spurgeon: And the joy, exactly right, of this Africa United Youth Orchestra. As you hear from the reaction of the audience, it is such an expression of the spirit of the World Orchestra Week with all of the other orchestras playing in this festival week of concerts with the exception of the European Community Youth Orchestra. Everybody else is here. If they're not on stage, they're in the audience tonight cheering this group on. An amazing expression of art from the Africa United Youth Orchestra, and a concert that I was going to say in the first half of music by South African composers.

We heard works by Michael Mosoeu Moerane, and by Mzilikazi Khumalo, and by Bongani Ndodana-Breen, and some amazing performances by our vocalists, Masabane Cecilia Rangwanasha and Goitsemang Lehobye. A fantastic evening of music tonight. Now at our microphones, our maestro, William Eddins?

Annie Bergen: How was that?

William Eddins: Oh, that was fun, wasn't it? I'm all sweaty and everything. The enthusiasm of these young people has just been great. It's been one of the great weeks of my life working with them, and I will never forget it. I'll never forget it.

Jeff Spurgeon: How much time did you spend with this group? What? One, a couple of three-hour rehearsals?

William Eddins: Yes, there were a couple of three-hour rehearsals. We had a dress rehearsal. Their first performance was last Sunday, and their second performance is at Carnegie Hall. It's all downhill from here, of course.

Jeff Spurgeon: Just incredible, just an incredible thing. What are the challenges of working with an ensemble like this when you have a limited time and a group that doesn't know itself or each other very well?

William Eddins: You have to do a lot of teaching. You have to do a lot of musical hand-holding. You have to give them courage. You have to give them the opportunity to fail in many ways in order to succeed. You have to bring them together as a community. This is one of the things about the AUYO that I really love, that it's not only South Africans, but we have people from Mozambique, the DRC, all along the southern part of Africa. In fact, there's one girl here who was born in Korea. We decided that's part of Africa too.

Jeff Spurgeon: At least this week it is.

William Eddins: At least this week, because this is the community that we want to foster. I'm super proud of what they've managed to accomplish, and I'm just so glad that I have had the opportunity to be a part of it.

Jeff Spurgeon: We mentioned earlier that you've traveled quite a bit to South Africa. Tell us what has drawn you to that country.

William Eddins: Wow. How much time on the air do we have? I first set foot in South Africa in 1984 for the second international Johannesburg panel competition. I had no illusions of placing or winning or anything, but I wanted to go and see what was going on. Of course, this was the height of apartheid and it scared the living Jesus out of me. I didn't even go to the bathroom without my US passport because without that, I was not considered a human being. That was a seminal moment in my life in just understanding how the world is and how other people work. It's informed my political activity and a lot about my life.

No one was more surprised than I when Mandela walked out of prison and there were free and fair elections. I was stunned. I did not believe that that was going to happen. Then a couple years later, I got a phone call and said, "Do you want to come conduct in South Africa?" I said, "Of course I do." I wanted to see what the changes were in this country. Every two or three years, I've gotten a call. "Bill, do you want to come down to South Africa?" If I possibly can do it, I always say yes, because I have seen so much history in this country. They were so far down the rabbit hole of apartheid. They have come so far. There is so much farther to go.

I call South Africa the impossible country because it shouldn't work. Nothing works the way that it's planned. You could be in the most amazing hotel in the world, and then you get this slip of paper under your door, "Oh, by the way, we have water restrictions today, so we're on the hotel's backup water system." You just go, I'm in this five star hotel and this is happening. Somehow things do get accomplished in South Africa. For me, seeing the difference in the last 40 years has been amazing. I have great hope, actually, for South Africa and the southern part of the African continent. I think in another couple generations, I think we'll have to look out for them. I really do.

Jeff Spurgeon: That's wonderful. Thank you, William Eddins, for your words and for the spirit that you've shared with this group of young musicians.

William Eddins: It's been my pleasure.

Jeff Spurgeon: Really amazing. William Eddins conducting the Africa United Youth Orchestra with members of the National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America on this concert of World Orchestra Week from Carnegie Hall. We have more, Annie, to bring in this series.

Annie Bergen: We do. Upcoming concerts tomorrow afternoon, the Beijing Youth Orchestra conducted by Lü Jian with guest soloist Wu Man, pipa player. Then on Monday, the National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America with conductor Iván Fischer and pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet, followed on Tuesday by the European Union Youth Orchestra with Iván Fischer and pianist Isata Kanneh-Mason. The festival concludes on Wednesday with the Afghan Youth Orchestra.

Jeff Spurgeon: We're looking forward to all these concerts in the near future, all of them in the evening, except for tomorrow afternoon's program. If you're in New York, come to these concerts. If you're experiencing the spirit of World Orchestra Week in these broadcasts, imagine what it would be like to be and enjoy it in Carnegie Hall.

Our great thanks to Clive Gillinson and the staff of Carnegie Hall, WQXR's recording engineers, Ed Haber, George Wellington, Bill Siegmund, and Chase Culpon. Our WQXR production team, Eileen Delahunty, Lauren Purcell-Joiner, Laura Boyman, Maria Shaughnessy, and Christine Herskovits.

A big thank you to Thapelo Masita for helping us with our pronunciation of South African names on this broadcast.

Annie Bergen: Make sure you do tune in tomorrow afternoon for that concert by the newly formed Beijing Youth Orchestra led by Conductor Lü Jian that begins at four o'clock tomorrow afternoon on WQXR. This is Classical New York WQXR, 105.9 FM, and HD Newark, 90.3 FM, WQXW Ossining, and WNYC FMHD II New York.

Jeff Spurgeon: Annie Bergen, a pleasure to be with you this evening.

Annie Bergen: Thanks, Jeff.

Jeff Spurgeon: We return you now to the studio, and we'll join a work in progress. It's Tchaikovsky's orchestral suite number three with the Radio Symphony Orchestra of Stuttgart and Conductor Sir Neville Marriner.

[02:18:16] [END OF AUDIO]

 

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