Any decent rendition of Edward Elgar's Nimrod is a touching experience, but the Asian Youth Orchestra's (AYO) interpretation was enchanting in the opening of the ensemble's summer rehearsal camp at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts three weeks ago. As the orchestra drew out the rousing notes of the piece's main theme, I was moved to tears.
Perhaps it was pride in seeing the heights that can be ascended by the youth of Asia. The AYO, which every summer brings together the region's most talented young musicians for six weeks of touring, is a shining example of what the future of the region could look like. And, if the critical acclaim is anything to go by, the future is bright: the San Francisco Chronicle said the orchestra 'invites comparison . . . with the most exciting orchestras anywhere in the world', while a Seattle reviewer called them 'astonishing'.
The orchestra is the brainchild of Richard Pontzious, an American musician who has been living in Asia for 30 years. Seeing the immense talent-drain that occurred when local youngsters believed that the land of opportunity lay elsewhere, Pontzious wanted to show the world what the region's musicians could achieve on their own doorsteps. 'This is a celebration of Asia,' he says.
Musically, it is an enormously enriching experience for the youths. The 100 or so participants each year are chosen from up to 2,000 music students from 12 countries. Being surrounded by other young talent, learning from a distinguished faculty, and touring with illustrious soloists - Yo-Yo Ma, Julian Lloyd Webber, and Gil Shaham have all toured previously - all help the students develop their gifts in ways that could never have been achieved in their own countries.
Three youths from India - the first to represent their country in the AYO - are clearly ecstatic. 'Western music is very undeveloped in India,' says Manab Naskar, a 22-year-old cellist. 'I came here and saw that the players here are so good. I realised that I have so much to learn.
'Music is peace. Even if you go somewhere and you can't speak the language, you can still play the music.'
