The National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America (NYO-USA) and conductor Gianandrea Noseda. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
SEOUL, Aug. (Korea Bizwire) — An emotionally charged encore performance brought tears and thunderous applause at Seoul Arts Center on Tuesday night, as the National Youth Orchestra of the United States (NYO-USA), composed entirely of teenage musicians, delivered an unforgettable rendition of Mascagni’s Intermezzo from Cavalleria Rusticana.
The concert, part of the second night of the 5th SAC International Music Festival, marked a poignant milestone for the 16-to-19-year-old musicians—selected from across the United States and affiliated with Carnegie Hall. Despite their youth and still-maturing technical polish, the NYO-USA’s performance deeply resonated with the Korean audience.
Kicking off the evening with Valerie Coleman’s Fanfare and Overture, the orchestra tackled a challenging program that included Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in E minor and Rachmaninoff’s Symphony No. 2. Occasional missteps—such as dynamics misjudged or an unexpected mid-performance stage exit—did little to detract from the ensemble’s vigor and charm.
The highlight of the evening came with the encore. As the opening strains of Intermezzo unfolded—its fragile strings evoking tranquility and longing—many in the audience were visibly moved. The piece, just three minutes long yet emotionally expansive, is notoriously difficult to execute with the finesse it demands. The young musicians delivered a performance that surpassed expectations, prompting applause that eclipsed even the response to the main program.
Onstage, the orchestra’s members appeared stunned and overjoyed by the crowd’s reaction. Some smiled through tears; others raised their arms in disbelief. Conductor Gianandrea Noseda, who has led NYO-USA for eight seasons, acknowledged the ovation with sweeping gestures, clearly moved himself.
The evening also featured a standout solo performance by renowned Korean violinist Clara-Jumi Kang. Fresh from recent appearances at the BBC Proms and Salzburg Festival, Kang performed Mendelssohn’s concerto with poise and artistry. The young NYO-USA musicians looked on in awe, watching closely as the seasoned performer demonstrated the musical heights they aspire to reach.
The SAC International Music Festival runs through August 10, with upcoming performances including a recital by celebrated British cellist Steven Isserlis and a Korea-Spain friendship concert commemorating 75 years of diplomatic relations, featuring violinist Lina Tur Bonet and cellist Hong Seung-ah. The festival continues to spotlight a global lineup of artists while nurturing the next generation of classical talent.
Image credit: Yonhap / photonews@koreabizwire.com
