The Hon Rod Kemp was Minister for the Arts and Sport from Friday 23 November 2001 to Tuesday 30 January 2007. This site is available for archival purposes only.
Australian Youth Orchestra's European Tour
Minister for the Arts and Sport, Senator Rod Kemp, today congratulated the Australian Youth Orchestra (AYO) on its most recent European tour.
'The AYO has delighted and moved audiences across Europe in the past month and has played at some very prestigious venues and festivals,' Senator Kemp said.
'The tour commenced with a sold-out performance at the famous Concertgebouw in Amsterdam and the tour continued to go from strength to strength.'
In addition to the Concertgebouw, the AYO played at the Kultur Sommer Nordhessen Festival in Kessel, Germany; the 15th century Abbey at La Chaise Dieu, France; an amphitheatre in the grounds of the Chateau de Florans, France; the Merano Festival, Italy; and the Golf and Symphony Festival in St Moritz, Switzerland.
'During the 34 days of the tour the AYO has performed ten concerts in seven countries in front of audiences of 20,000 and on the same programme as international artists such as the Russian National Orchestra, the Academy of St Martin in the Fields and James Galway,' Senator Kemp said.
The Australian Government recognises the value of the AYO as a source of new and emerging orchestral talent, and in 2004-05 the Government is providing $1.327 million to the Orchestra.
The AYO was joined on the tour by the internationally renowned pianists Cristina Ortiz, Boris Berezovsky and Helene Grimaud, and artistic director Lawrence Foster--one of America's most acclaimed conductors. In addition to works by Shostakovich, Brahms, Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninov, the AYO's repertoire also featured Australian compositions from Carl Vine, Ross Edwards and Michael Hurst.
'The conclusion of this highly successful tour was a concert at the 2004 BBC Proms,' Senator Kemp said. 'This was the AYO's fourth appearance at the Proms and the AYO was the only Australian ensemble to feature this year.'
The touring party consisted of 90 musicians and five staff, as well as 22 cubic metres of instruments and freight. Commencing on 13 August, this was the 19th major international tour undertaken by the Orchestra and its fourth visit to Europe.
CANBERRA
31 August 2004
Media contact: Adrian Chippindale, 02 6277 7350 or 0407 208 743