RETROSPECTIVE

Summer 2015: the first transatlantic orchestra project

In the summer of 2015, as part of the Rheingau Music Festival, the first transatlantic orchestra project by the Cuban-European Youth Academy took place. For 70 participating musicians from 10 European countries (50%) and Cuba (50%), that meant 12 days of rehearsing, eating, sleeping, learning and having fun together. Interested visitors were welcome to sit in on the rehearsals on the Academy campus.
The course members tried out period instruments and were introduced to the rhythms and music of Cuba in a range of workshops. The programme of the symphony orchestra under the direction of Thomas Hengelbrock featured modern Cuban works and the Violin Concerto No. 5 in A major, KV 219 by W.A. Mozart (Soloist: Arabella Steinbacher) and Robert Schumann’s Fourth Symphony in its original version. In each of four concerts, the young musicians showed an appreciative audience what they were capable of.

“I have made so many new friends and take home with me the memory of people who believed in me. This trust in me has strengthened me enormously. It has made me happy. It was an incredible time.“ JENNY PEÑA CAMPO (course member)

Concerts

21.08.2015 Schlachthof Wiesbaden
Cuban Night

23.08.2015 Schloss Johannisberg
Chamber music concert by course members

26.08.2015 Kurhaus Wiesbaden
Round-table discussion “Music as ambassador between nations? Opportunities and challenges”

27.08.2015 Kurhaus Wiesbaden | Final Concert
Arabella Steinbacher violin
Marialy Pacheco piano
Thomas Hengelbrock direction

Mozart: Violin Concerto No. 5 in A major KV 219
Schumann: Symphony No. 4 D minor op. 120
as well as Cuban compositions