Romanian National Youth Orchestra

Being created by the famous cellist and professor Marin Cazacu, the Romanian Orchestra is more than just an orchestra. It assembles the brightest musicians from Romania for a unique creative experience, in the common pursuit of musical excellence. Being acclaimed as Romania’s best orchestra for the last few years, the Romanian Youth Orchestra is quickly establishing itself on the international scene as well, already being acclaimed as one of the world’s top ensembles by international critics.

From the beginning, Cristian Mandeal assured the technical and artistic directing of the Romanian Youth Orchestra. Under his artistic leadership, the orchestra became a success story of Romania’s musical life, making its concerts into significant events and giving the country a youth orchestra of international standards by established new hallmarks of innovation and excellence.

The Romanian Youth Orchestra’s roots lay in a unique artistic and educational program which was founded in 2008 following an initiative by cellist Marin Cazacu with the help of “The Friends of Music – Serafim Antropov” foundation. Nowadays, the RYO’s educational programme has a hugely varied activity developing musical talent. The orchestra’s academic programme has the goal to provide an excellent opportunity for budding musicians to explore a demanding repertory through master classes and concerts and, more importantly, to participate in the joy of ensemble music-making under some of the most appreciated conductors and alongside some of the most sought-after soloists, including Bogdan Băcanu, Sarah Chang, Amanda Forsyth, David Garrett, Stefan Geiger, Andrei Ioniță, Kristjan Järvi, Roman Kim, Elizabeth Leonskaja, Ivan Ludlow, Plamena Mangova, Valentina Naforniță, Olga Pasichnyk, Wave Quartet, Peter Sadlo, Olga Scheps, Emmanuel Séjourné, Aleksey Semenenko and Pinchas Zukerman.

The result – an ensemble second to none, highly acclaimed for their sold-out concerts at the Romanian Athenaeum, at the “George Enescu” International Festival and on international stages such as l’Auditorium Parco della Musica in Rome, the Ravello Festival, the Konzerthaus Berlin and the Berlin Philharmonic.

Since november 2008 the ensemble is a member of the European Federation of National Youth Orchestras – EFNYO. Within this program the Romanian Youth Orchestra is an activ participant of the EXchange program meant to ensure a exchange experience of the most talented young musicians in the youth orchestras projects of Europe.

After being raised in the same professional and exceptional artistic environement and having spent years bounding as an ensemble and performing together at the highest level, the Romanian Youth Orchestra’s alumni continue their journey towards musical excellence and international recognition throughout their artistic maturity project – the Romanian Youth Orchestra.