Young Portuguese Orchestra takes “Saude” to the Young Euro Classic in Berlin

O Young Euro Classic runs from 31 July to 16 August at Konzerthaus Berlin, bringing together young orchestras from various continents and stating themselves as one of the main international showcases for the new generations of classical music.

In an interview with the agency Lusa, the artistic director of JOP, Pedro Carneiro, told that the preparation for this concert began several months ago, with auditions held in Lisbon, Porto, Coimbra, Faro, Ponta Delgada and Funchal, which this year gathered more than 400 candidates.

After the selection process, about 70 young musicians were chosen, between 14 and 28 years old, who participated in meetings during the school breaks, with rehearsals, ‘masterclasses’, body consciousness classes, tertulias and concerts in some of the main rooms of the country.

Pedro Carneiro said that the concert will be built around the idea of “Saudad”, “a truly intractable Portuguese emotion”, through a program that includes “Le Corsaire”, by Hector Berlioz, excerpts from “Les Troyens” and “Les Nuits d’Été”, by the French composer, with the “mezzo-soprano” Cláudia Ribas, the world premiere of a work by César Rafael, inspired by Fernando Pessoa, “Saudades, Só Portugueses”, and the Symphony No 6, “Pathetica”, by Tchaikovsky.

“ Through this program, young Portuguese musicians pay tribute to the power of Saudade — a universal human experience, deeply felt and singularly expressed in the Portuguese soul”, he observed.

For the artistic director, this sixth presence at Young Euro Classic represents “the consecration of international merit” of JOP and an opportunity to project Portuguese talent on one of the most important stages of European classical music, adding that the regular presence of the orchestra at the festival has also allowed promoting contemporary Portuguese creation.

Among musicians, participation is seen as a striking moment. The trumpetist Carolina Simas Carneiro told Lusa that representing Portugal will allow young musicians to be part of the “European panorama of young classical music”.

“It is a great privilege and a great responsibility. I feel a great vote of confidence because I can be a part of it and that motivates me,” he said, adding that what excites her most “is the opportunity to collaborate with colleagues and the way” they work “together for music.”.

Also cellist Ester Santos highlighted the responsibility of representing the country and the opportunity to show “that Portugal has quality”.

About the concert in the German capital, he admitted that the most anticipated work is Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 6.

“It is a work of extreme depth and intensity and it is a great opportunity to share our interpretation of the play with the public, not only in Berlin, but at all the concerts of this meeting,” he stressed.

Fagotist Luciana Araújo classified participation as “an enormous honor and a profound cause of pride”, arguing that it is “a collective responsibility, representing the excellence of teaching and musical practice [in Portugal]”.

At the age of 19, she confessed to being particularly enthusiastic about acting in Konzerthaus Berlin and playing “Pathetics”, a work she considered “especially striking” by emotional depth and bassoon soils.

Percussionist Isaac Andrade described this participation as “the most striking moment” of his career as a musician.

“It is the recognition of many years of dedication, study and work,” he said, adding that going on the stage of Konzerthaus Berlin “is truly inspiring.”.

He also highlighted Tchaikovsky’s Symphony 6, considering it to be “a work that has a very special meaning” and that is “always a privilege” to interpret.

Before going on stage in Berlin, JOP, as part of its summer meeting, operates on July 31st, at the Capitol Theatre in Lisbon, on August 1st, at the Évora Public Garden, and on August 2nd, at the New Oeiras Parochial Hall, in varied programs, based on works that will take to Berlin.