On July 29th, Michael Tilson Thomas and National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America gave an American-style performance. The National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America comes from the Talent Development Programme established by the Carnegie Hall. Every spring, the Carnegie Hall calls excellent young musicians (aged 16-19) together from across the USA, and forms a National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America of musicians strictly singled out and trained. Then the passionate young musicians make a world tour in the summer.

This year, the National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America is composed of 106 young elite musicians from across the USA. During their tour, they gave performances with famous pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet in five Asian cities: Beijing, Shanghai, Taipei, Seoul and Taejon, under the leadership of Music Director and famous conductor Michael Tilson Thomas.

The concert kicked off with Brass Nails, a new work composed by Ted Herne and commissioned by the Carnegie Hall. The title is derived from an American slang, which means “cut to the chase”. Herne introduced, “The rackety dance music is light, lively and vigorous. Its composition is inspired by the southern American rap music full of rhythmic vitality and dance culture.” American composer George Gershwin combined the American jazz with classical, composing works with outstanding American characteristics, e.g., his masterpiece Piano Concerto in F major is a mix of multi-elements such as blues, ragtime, pop and classical, which constitute a romantic rhapsody that is romantic and elegant, fanatical and glorious. At the concerts, pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet played the Piano Concerto in F major with the orchestra to show audience the charm of the jazz symphony composed by Gershwin.