Under the direction of Jordi Savall, and within the framework of the Youth Orchestra and Choir Professional Academies (YOCPA 2.0) project, the musicians of Le Concert des Nations, La Capella Nacional de Catalunya, and a group of internationally renowned soloists have begun studying two fundamental works by Felix Mendelssohn: Die erste Walpurgisnacht and the Scottish Symphony, performed on period instruments and following historical performance practices.
The first phase of the YOCPA 2.0 Academy took place from August 19 to 23 in Vitoria and brought together 95 musicians, 61 of whom were young people under the age of 39, with equal participation of women and men. During these sessions, the focus was on Mendelssohn’s youth program, culminating in a first concert at the Kursaal Auditorium in San Sebastián on August 24.
The performance was highly acclaimed by critics: El Diario Vasco described it as “a concert 10, one of those that leaves a mark,” while Gara and Naiz highlighted “a period orchestra and a choir to make history,” also emphasizing “Savall’s excellent interpretation” and “a choir that sounded dreamlike.”
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- ©Stuart MacDonald
The second phase of the Academy, dedicated to advanced training, will take place from October 7 to 12 at the Collegiate Church of Sant Vicenç de Cardona. In addition to intensive work with Savall, a recording of the prepared repertoire will also be produced.
Upcoming Concerts
The results of this artistic and educational process will be presented in two major international performances:
- October 14, 2025 – L’Auditori, Barcelona
- October 15, 2025 – Philharmonie de Paris
A program between nature and legend
The repertoire transports the audience to landscapes and stories full of romanticism. The Scottish Symphony was inspired by Mendelssohn’s impressions during his trip to Scotland in 1829, evoking ruins, cliffs, and folk melodies. Meanwhile, Die erste Walpurgisnacht, based on a poem by Goethe, tells of the confrontation between pagan druids and Christian authority during the celebration of spring, in a vibrant cantata full of dramatic intensity.
Through this project, Jordi Savall offers a monumental interpretation of Mendelssohn, faithful to the Romantic spirit, while providing a unique professional development opportunity for an entire generation of young European musicians.
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