German National Orchestra,
Official Partner of the Berlin Philharmonic
14-20 January 2025
Conductor/Soloist: Wayne Marshall (organ)
German National Orchestra
Official Partner of the Berlin Philharmonic
14-20 January 2025
Conductor/Soloist: Wayne Marshall (organ)
ABOUT
The National Youth Orchestra of Germany is Germany’s youngest major orchestra, founded by the German Music Council in 1969 and made up of the country’s finest young musicians between the ages of 14 and 19. Distinguished conductors such as Andris Nelsons, Ingo Metzmacher, and Kirill Petrenko have led the orchestra; soloists have included Christian Tetzlaff, Tabea Zimmermann, and Fazil Say, as well as the rock musicians Sting and Peter Maffay. Since 2018, Sir Simon Rattle is Conductor Laureate of the National Youth Orchestra: “What an enormous pleasure to meet this wonderful next generation of colleagues! I think the future of orchestras is safe in your hands.”
The young musicians qualify by auditioning for a jury of professionals. During intensive work phases, they prepare significant orchestral works from all periods; contemporary music and premieres of new compositions are an integral part of the repertoire. Tours have taken the group throughout Europe, as well as to Asia, Africa, and North and South America. The orchestra has participated in numerous projects of historical significance, including a celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Berlin Airlift with Kurt Masur in New York. It accompanied the founding of the Youth Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine, took the “Embrace Our Rivers” project as an opportunity to draw attention to the climate conditions in India and supported musical education in the South African township of Soweto. The highlight of the pandemic year 2020 has been a video production of Ludwig van Beethoven’s 7th Symphony under the baton of Beethoven specialist Paavo Järvi.
The orchestra’s work is generously supported by the German Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth, DekaBank, Mercedes-Benz Group, the City of Bonn, GVL (German Collecting Society for Performing Rights), unisono (German Orchestra Union), the German National Youth Orchestra Foundation and numerous private donors.
Wayne Marshall, conductor and organ
British conductor, organist and pianist, Wayne Marshall, is world-renowned for his musicianship and versatility on the podium and at the keyboard. He has served as Chief Conductor of WDR Funkhausorchester, Cologne (2014-20) and Principal Guest Conductor of Orchestra Sinfonica di Milano Giuseppe Verdi (2007-13).
He is a celebrated interpreter of the music of George Gershwin, Leonard Bernstein and other 20th-century American composers, having conducted Bernstein’s Candide (Deutsche Staatsoper, Berlin), Mass (Orchestre de Paris) and White House Cantata (Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra), Harbison’s The Great Gatsby (Semperoper, Dresden), Heggie’s Dead Man Walking (Montreal Opera) and numerous productions of Porgy and Bess (including Opera Comique, Paris, Washington National Opera, and Dallas Opera).
Recent conducting highlights include his critically-acclaimed debut with the Berliner Philharmoniker in 2021, and debuts with the Munich Philharmonic, Tonhalle Zurich, Munich Rundfunk Orchestra, Frankfurt Radio Orchestra, Baltimore Symphony, Seattle Symphony and Chicago Symphony.
He has worked regularly with the Tonkünstler Orchestra, Czech, Rotterdam, Oslo and Strasbourg Philharmonic Orchestras, RSO Vienna and Orchestre de Paris; with the BBC Singers on several occasions, and appeared as soloist and conductor at the BBC Proms.
In 2021, he made his debut at the Edinburgh International Festival featuring the music of Rodgers and Hammerstein with concerts featuring Danielle de Niese and, in 2022, with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra. His recent debut at the Opera de Lyon with Bernstein’s Candide was highly praised.
Plans for 2023/24 include his conducting debut with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, Nashville and Baltimore Symphony orchestras and Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin. In 2024 he will embark on an extensive tour in China with the ORF Radio Symphony Orchestra, and tour with the WDR Symphony Orchestra to celebrate the centenary of Rhapsody in Blue.
In 2025, he will be touring in Japan appearing with various orchestras. In May 2025, Wayne will be conducting Peter Grimes at Opera de Lyon and in June will be conducting the Prague Radio Orchestra at the Spring Festival. Towards the end of 2025 Wayne will be conducting the full production of “An American In Paris” at Grand Théâtre de Genève.
As organ recitalist, he has an exceptionally varied repertoire and performs worldwide. In recent years, he has gained a big following on social media.
During 2024, he will perform at the Walt Disney concert hall in Los Angeles, Essen Philhmonie, Brussels Cathedral, and at the Royal Albert Hall in London for the 150th anniversary celebrations of the Henry Willis organ
His many honours include an Honorary Doctorate from Bournemouth University (2004), Fellowship of the Royal College of Music (2010), the Golden Jubilee Award from the Government of Barbados (2016), and an OBE in 2021. In March 2024, Wayne will be awarded an Honorary Doctorate from Coventry University.
Wayne is proud to be an Ambassador of the London Music Fund.
CONCERT DATES
CONTACT
MARY HARRISON
HEAD OF UK & EIRE TOURING
+44 (0) 20 7957 5873
EMAIL
FIONA TODD
UK & EIRE TOUR MANAGER
+44 (0) 20 7957 5800
EMAIL
JULIA SMITH
UK & EIRE TOUR AND SPECIAL PROJECTS MANAGER
+44 (0) 7733 113652
EMAIL