I went to my first Symphony concert at the TSO last year and was surprised by how much I enjoyed the experience. Having always been a visual person, I wasn’t sure much I would like something that was purely audio, but it was fabulous!
I was so excited to see this on Youtube.com a few days ago.
How cool is that? The world’s first online collaborative orchestra where musicians from all around the world will play a new piece and perform it together!
A Chance to Play at Carnegie Hall!
From Youtube:
We invite musicians from around the world to audition for the YouTube Symphony Orchestra. Your video entries will be combined into the first ever collaborative virtual performance, and the world will select the best of you to perform at New York City’s Carnegie Hall in April 2009.
Awesomeness.
If you want to practice you can watch a video of Chinese conductor and composer Tan Dun (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon) as he leaders you though the piece. The sheet music is also available for download.
The LSO and Lang Lang Lend Their Support
This isn’t some rinky dink little orchestra either, there are some incredible resources from the folks over at the London Symphony Orchestra who talk about the piece and give viewers tips on how to master it. There are more and more videos being uploaded every day that are providing some really rich discussions about music theory, etc.
Renown pianist Lang Lang has been named the first Youtube Symphony Orchestra ambassador, and here he talks about this initiative and plays a small sample.
I have subscribed to this channel, and would recommend that you do the same if you’re interested int he updates. I am so excited to see how this turns out, I just might make a trip over there next year to see it in person!
If that isn’t the coolest thing I’ve ever heard of!