Georg Friedrich Händel Concerto a due cori no. 1 in B-Dur HWV 332 Carl Philipp Emanuel BachSymphony no. 4 in G major Wq. 183/4 Georg Friedrich HändelMusic for the Royal Fireworks HWV 351 Wolfgang Amadeus MozartSymphony no. 41 in C major KV 551 »Jupiter« Conductor Ton Koopman/ MCO Academy NRW
“Learning together” was the motto of the second MCO Academy-NRW concerts. This time, MCO and Academy players performed a classical and baroque programme with Ton Koopman, one of the leading conductors of the historical performance practice movement. Not only for the Academy players, but for the musicians of the MCO as well, this was an opportunity to gain valuable experience. Four specialists in historical performance came to Dortmund to coach the four instrument groups (woodwinds, brass, high and low strings), and Ton Koopman also presented his expertise in an introductory lecture. The rehearsal period was a combination of workshops and joint rehearsals bringing together theory and practice. This project embodied the MCO’s philosophy: to always remain open and to learn from each other as well as with each other.
CONCERTS 14 Dezember 2010 / Philharmonie Essen 15 Dezember 2010 / Kölner Philharmonie 16 Dezember 2010 / Konzerthaus Dortmund
ACADEMY STUDENTS Percussion Mark Bessonov / Flute Gemma Corrales / Cello Inken Dwars / Viola David Hecker / Double Bass Atsuhiko Iwabuchi / Bassoon Renée Knigge / Percussion Markus Mayer / Cello Melina Montes / Oboe Nieke Schouten / Cello Andrei Simon / Cello Lukas Wittermann / Oboe Ji-Yong Yoon
STUDENTS RESPONSE "This was, for me, an unbelievable experience. I was shown many things and I learned a lot, especially since the musicians were so collegial with the students. My playing has really developed with the Academy concerts, and I've personally witnessed the MCO as such a positive orchestra with so much energy." Lukas Wittermann, Cello
"It's fantastic to see how engaged and spirited MCO musicians are when they play. The music felt so right and Ton Koopman treated us with a lot of respect. He was always calm and patient, even when I was unfamiliar with playing the cello without the endpin." Melina Montes, Cello
"The Academy concerts in Essen, Cologne and Dortmund were three fantastic experiences. One is downright carried away by the MCO's energy. The orchestra took us on so openly, and apart from that, Ton Koopman is very flexible and positive. I must say, it was incredibly amazing." Inken Dwars, Cello
"Never have I played ancient music so intensively as I have with the MCO Academy. That is, first of all, not so easy, because one must integrate oneself into the sound of a new orchestra. But I think, at the end, I succeeded." David Hecker, Viola
"I find the MCO Academy great and challenging at the same time. The MCO musicians were really interested in us, and because we learned the Baroque performance techniques together, we quickly became a team. Ton Koopman was also always in good spirits and can conduct with such unbelievable vigor." Nieke Schouten, Oboe
