New York – Popular symphonic works will be featured at the debut of the internationally acclaimed Greek Youth Symphony Orchestra (GYSO) at Carnegie Hall on Sunday, November 3, in “a great moment for the orchestra, but also for our country,” said its Founder and Artistic Director, Dionysis Grammenos. The young conductor, addressing the Hellenic diaspora through The National Herald, said, “we look forward to meeting them, playing for them, and celebrating together.” Maestro Grammenos’ interview with TNH follows:
The National Herald: At the beginning of next month, the Greek Youth Symphony Orchestra, under your direction, will make its debut at Carnegie Hall. What can the music-loving audience expect from this performance?
Dionysis Grammenos: The debut of GYSO at Carnegie Hall on November 3 marks a great moment for the orchestra and for our country. We are excited to be on this legendary stage, one of the greatest and most historic concert halls in the world, and to present to the audience an exciting program that showcases the talent, virtuosity, and dynamism of young Greek musicians.
TNH: It is worth noting that, among other works, a selection of Nikos Skalkottas’ ‘Greek Dances’, which made their American premiere at iconic Carnegie Hall exactly 70 years ago, will be presented. Tell us about this symbolic choice.
DG: Nikos Skalkottas’ Greek Dances were performed for the first time in the U.S. in November 1954 by the New York Philharmonic, under the direction of the great Dimitris Mitropoulos. Five of the thirty-six dances were presented at Carnegie Hall at that time, and this year, exactly 70 years later, we will be performing ten selected Greek Dances with GYSO in the same hall.
TNH: GYSO is your artistic ‘child’, if I may say so, following your internationally recognized personal career. How did this endeavor begin?
GYSO: Until 2017, Greece did not have this institution, a national youth orchestra, which exists in every European – and not only – country and serves as a reference point for the orchestral education of young musicians. My vision was to create a space for young talented musicians to come together and form a foundation for orchestral education for the next generation who will join professional orchestras. GYSO began its journey with the primary goal of cultivating the musical education of young musicians from across Greece and abroad, providing them with systematic guidance through a structured program and a carefully selected repertoire of works. In a very short time, the orchestra’s work was recognized internationally, with its selection as a member of the European Federation of National Youth Orchestras, where it represents our country exclusively. Since 2020, it has also been the Orchestra in Residence at the Athens Concert Hall. To date, it has been invited twice to perform at Berlin’s Konzerthaus as part of the international Young Euro Classic festival, the second time even for the festival’s opening concert.
TNH: To date, GYSO has had a significant presence in events both within and outside of Greece. Please highlight a few of them.
DG: From GYSO’s journey so far, I would highlight the two concerts at Berlin’s Konzerthaus in 2021 and 2023, which took place as part of the Young Euro Classic festival, and the orchestra’s performance at the Hellenic Parliament in October 2021, as it was the first orchestra to give a concert in this historic venue, following an invitation from the President of the Hellenic Parliament.
TNH: Having conducted orchestras worldwide, what is your vision for the future development of GYSO?
DG: I am very interested in GYSO making steady progress over time, growing in dynamism as an institution that embraces and offers valuable experiences to young people. My vision for the orchestra remains its continuous development so that it strengthens its international presence and gives even more young Greek musicians the opportunity to participate in its concerts and educational activities.
TNH: In closing, would you like to send a message to the Greek diaspora in New York and beyond, ahead of the great performance on November 3?
DG: We look forward to meeting them, playing for them, and celebrating with them this historic moment for our country!
TICKETS
For more information and tickets, visit CarnegieHall.org, the Carnegie Hall Box Office (881 7th Ave, at 57th Street), or call CarnegieCharge (212-247-7800).
