A youthful energy was brought to the Royal Albert Hall’s prestigious stage on 21 July 2013 when the National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America made their UK debut at the 13th BBC Proms concert of the season.

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All images: Andy Paradise, 2013

The Orchestra was formed in 2012 and brings together 120 of the brightest young musicians from across the USA, all aged between 16 and 19. For such a young group to find themselves performing at the world’s greatest classical music festival, under the baton of renowned conductor Valery Gergiev, is testament to the Orchestra’s talent and a celebrates a major milestone for all of the young musicians involved.

_VIDEO: Valery Gergiev conducts the National Youth Orchestra of the USA in Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto. _

The concert opened with the European Premiere of Magiya, a work by American rising star Sean Shepherd, before Grammy Award-winning violinist Joshua Bell took to the stage as guest soloist for Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto. The programme concluded with Shostakovich’s monumental 10th Symphony _and an encore of Tchaikovsky’s _Melodie.

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Joshua Bell’s experience shone through, little surprise considering his numerous Proms appearances dating back to 1990 (before any of the orchestra members were born!), and he delivered a sensational performance which was described by artsdesk.com as one that “may yet turn out to be the concerto of the season”.

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The concert will surely be one to remember for the young red jean and star-spangled-shoe-wearing members of the orchestra, who were thanked with well-deserved cheers from an appreciative Proms audience.

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★★★★★ “No praise too high for the flute and horn soloists, or for the percussion and massed strings: a completely professional performance.” The Independent

★★★★★ “As Proms debuts go, this would be difficult to beat.” Bachtrack

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