Young Turks take a bow in Rome concert

ROME - Doğan News Agency

The National Youth Philharmonic Orchestra is made up of 83 young musicians between the ages of 16 and 22, chosen from Turkey’s leading conservatories. It received a standing ovation at the concert in Roman Auditorium Santa Cecilia Hall on the last night of its European tour. DHA photo

The National Youth Philharmonic Orchestra (TYPO) under the baton of maestro Cem Mansur received a standing ovation in Rome after its concert on Sept. 29.

The orchestra is made up of 83 young musicians between the ages of 16 and 22, who have been chosen from Turkey’s leading conservatories.

Following the success of last year’s concert in Italy, the TYPO has become the first “orchestra in residence” that was invited from Turkey for the Taormina Festival in the country in August. After that, the orchestra went on a tour, performing in the Italian cities of Bologna, Roviga and Rome. The final concert of the Italy leg of the tour was last night in Milan. Additionally, it has become the only Turkish orchestra to perform in the Roman Auditorium Santa Cecilia Hall for three consecutive years.

Founded by Mansur in 2007, the orchestra’s concert program included Richard Strauss’ “Dance of the Seven Veils,” Tchaikovsky’s “Violin Concerto” and Modest Mussorgsky’s “Pictures at an Exhibition.” The soloist of the concert was 25-year-old Italian violinist Laura Marzadori, who has drawn attention over the last years with her technique, as well as her awards.

The young talents, who received a standing ovation in Italy, gave two encores with Glinka’s Ruslan and Ludmilla Overture and Bizet’s Carmen opera.

Speaking about the orchestra, maestro Mansur expressed his pleasure with the TYPO’s current position as an education and art project. The orchestra received positive reviews during the Taormina Festival, and also caused criticism about the music education system in Italy.

“We are very proud of these reviews. It is very nice to hear them say, ‘Italy has talented young people but after seeing Turkish youth, it is clear that we need to reorganize these affairs.’ The TYPO performed as an orchestra-in-residence at the Taormina Festival; it played one of the hardest operas, Puccini’s Tosca, within eight-nine days. This is very impressive. When seeing this performance, European critics and journalists became curious about our professional orchestras. If a student orchestra can do this, we can do magnificent things in this country,” Mansur said.

Mansur said the TYPO performed at Santa Cecilia for three consecutive years, adding, “It is a magnificent hall and shows the whole value of an orchestra. It is unbelievable in acoustics and architecture. This is something we are proud of on behalf of Turkey.”

As for the timing of this tour being at the time of the Italian EU term presidency, Mansur said, “To me, the TYPO may be the most effective symbol and tool for Turkey to adapt European values. This is why we want to tell our EU Minister ‘we are all yours.’  We played in Italy’s most important concert halls at the time of Italy’s EU term presidency, and we wish that Turkey will take advantage of it.”

The maestro, 57, said European people were confused about Turkey’s image. “It is the last thing they expect – that a Turkish orchestra would be warmly applauded in one of Europe’s most important halls. We should make use of it,” he said. 

The orchestra’s tour will continue until Oct. 6 in Germany.