AYO Blog
AYO National Music Camp 2025: ‘Victory in Amber’ Concert Review
By Sophia Mackson
We begin the Australian Youth Orchestra’s National Music Camp concert series with our first performance on Saturday, January 11th, 2025. Our orchestras will be playing Dvorák’s Symphony No. 7, Jessica Wells’ Dancing in St Petersburg, and Leoš Janáček’s Taras Bulba at Adelaide Conservatorium’s Elder Hall. At four in the afternoon, the audience is buzzing with anticipation.
Under the direction of Andrew Haveron, the Walsh Chamber Orchestra begins performance with Jessica Wells’ Dancing in St. Petersburg. The orchestra gives the first movement, Polovtsian Dances nuance and care by launching into the first movement with vigour. As the musicians dance their way through the first movement and into the second, The Bolt, Andrew Haveron leads the orchestra with ease. Special recognition should be given to Darius Goh’s outstanding viola solo. Seeing such young players perform with such power in a chamber ensemble is quite amazing, and it is obvious that their efforts over the course of the week have been successful.
Alexander Briger conducts the Bishop Orchestra, in Leoš Janáček’s Taras Bulba. The violin solos by Natalie Kendy, the organ solos by Charlie Wells, and the oboe solos by Jade Wolter are highlights of this performance. Alexander Briger brings a force of nature to the orchestra, working with the musicians to create a potent interpretation. The orchestra’s highs and lows seemed to enthral the crowd, and many of them want to share in the magic. The dedication of the orchestra pays off.
The last to perform is the Alexander Orchestra, playing Dvorák’s 7th Symphony and conducted by Natalia Louie-Bassa. The orchestra navigates the piece with ease and commitment, demonstrating that the dramatic elements of the piece do not dissuade the group. The orchestra is energised by Natalia’s powerful gestures and her elegant movements during quiet passages. The brass and woodwind sections merit special recognition as their tone fills Elder Hall and gives the Dvorák the energy it needs. The orchestra’s interpretation is staggering. The things that can be achieved in a week.
The first concert of the National Music Camp is a huge success. Congratulations to the conductors, musicians, and everyone involved behind the scenes. It is always a significant accomplishment to deliver such a commanding performance in one week, and it shows that with hard work (and ice cream) anything can be achieved.