News

Baltic Sea Youth Philharmonic and Kristjan Järvi to perform at European Cultural Awards in Dresden

19 June 2015

[BYP and Kristjan Järvi awarded European Culture Prize - 2015 Baltic Sea Youth Philharmonic in concert with world-renowned stars of classical music Angela Gheorghiu, Jonas Kaufmann and many more] Baltic Sea Youth Philharmonic (BYP) will perform at the gala ceremony of the European Cultural Awards 2015 on Friday 2 October at Dresden’s Frauenkirche. Under the baton of Kristjan Järvi, BYP Founding Conductor and Music Director, the finest musicians from all countries surrounding the Baltic Sea will celebrate and perform together with international renowned soloists and ensembles. Alongside and with the Baltic Sea Youth Philharmonic the audience will experience tenor Jonas Kaufmann, soprano Angela Gheorghiu, cellist Maximilian Hornung and organist Samuel Kummer. On the eve of the 25th anniversary of the German reunification, the gala ceremony will also bring together on stage as former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder, world-famous conductor and pianist Daniel Barenboim, German a capella group Die Prinzen or former Spanish Prime Minister Felipe González.

European Cultural Award 2015 for BYP

The Baltic Sea Youth Philharmonic and Estonian-born Kristjan Järvi will receive the European Cultural Prize of the European Foundation for Culture Pro Europe, recognising BYP’s exceptional achievements in developing creativity and innovation, and influencing the young classical scene across the Baltic Sea region. In particular the prize jury cited BYP’s “passionate and thrilling performances as an example to others to inspire worldwide audiences and foster cultural understanding in Europe and beyond.” Kristjan Järvi comments: “The European Culture Prize means a lot to us. It confirms that Baltic Sea Youth Philharmonic meets the spirit of the times. 25 years after the German reunification and European integration, we need more initiatives like our orchestra, which touch the hearts and minds of the people. We are bringing a historically divided region like the Baltic Sea closer together with passion and emotion. Our orchestra impressively demonstrates how much positive energy cooperation of young people liberates and we hope to be an example and inspiration to others.” The award ceremony will live televised by Central German Broadcasting MDR.

Further concerts carry sound of the Baltic Sea across Europe

Renowned for their exhilarating live performances, Baltic Sea Youth Philharmonic’s concerts have been heralded as inspiring examples of cultural collaboration in-action. This September the orchestra brings its electrifying concert experience to Switzerland, Italy, Denmark, Germany and Poland. Featured in nine concerts of the fall tour will be world-premieres of two new works by Baltic composers: by Lithuanian BYP composer-alumnus Gediminas Gelgotas and by Finnish composer Severi Pyysalo. In supporting new works and performing little-known Baltic music, the orchestra continues its commitment to keeping the musical landscape of the region alive and buoyant.

Unique voice from the North

Founded in 2008 by the Usedom Music Festival and Nord Stream AG, the Baltic Sea Youth Philharmonic features musicians aged 18-28 from, or studying in, the ten countries bordering the Baltic Sea. Retaining national specialities but opening up to international perspective, the musicians share their influence, knowledge and perspective to create a unique voice for the region. More than a youth orchestra, it is a project for cultural and social integration and cooperation to create unity in a historically-divided region. In 2015, BYP is supported by Nord Stream AG, operator of the natural gas pipeline through the Baltic Sea, as co-initiator and main sponsor as well as Saipem, one of the global leaders in the engineering & construction and drilling businesses, as sponsor.

Press contact

Alexander Datz
Press Officer, Usedom Music Festival and Baltic Sea Music Education Foundation e.V.
Mobile: +49 176 741 61 157
a.datz@usedomer-musikfestival.de
www.bmef.eu 
www.usedomer-musikfestival.de