Pianist Stephen Hough Performs with Norfolk County Youth Orchestra

The Norfolk County Youth Orchestra (NCYO) played with Stephen Hough at a special appearance at St Andrew’s Hall in Norwich on Thursday, April 17.

The internationally acclaimed pianist, who was made a CBE in the 2014 New Year Honours, played Dvorak’s Piano Concerto in G minor, with Andrew Morley conducting the NCYO.

Hough has appeared with almost every major European and American orchestra and released more than 50 recordings, and was the first classical performer to win a MacArthur Foundation Fellowship.

Organisers said that playing with such a renowned virtuoso was a true honour for the orchestra.

Reuben Ard, leader of the cello section, described the occasion as a “truly magical experience for all involved”, while trumpet player Ruth Gilks found Hough “an inspiration”.

Orchestra leader Billie Bell said: “Despite his high status in the music world, we all felt like equal partners throughout.”

The concert and its preparation were an exciting opportunity for the young musicians, and double bass player Chloe McEwen said: “It not only boosted the performance of the orchestra, but inspired all involved.”

Rehearsals of the concerto began in January, and the programme for the concert also included Rimsky-Korsakov’s March of the Nobles, Mussorgsky’s Night on a Bare Mountain, Borodin’s In the Steppes of Central Asia and Prokofiev’s The Montagues and Capulets, which audience member Catherine Dixon described as a delight, praising the orchestra’s enthusiasm.

The NCYO was established in 2006, and its summer concert will take place on Sunday, July 6 at the King’s Lynn Corn Exchange at 3pm.