Photos: National Youth Orchestra at Disney Hall
Conductor David Robertson’s inspirational leading of the National Youth Orchestra at Walt Disney Concert Hall included joining the musicians in shouting “Mambo!” during the Symphonic Dances from “West Side Story.” (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)
Soloist Gil Shaham, left, performed Britten’s Violin Concerto alongside the National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America, composed of 120 musicians ages 16 to 19 from across the country. (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)
David Robertson, of the St. Louis Symphony, conducted the National Youth Orchestra in a program that included Mussorgsky’s “Pictures at an Exhibition” and Leonard Bernstein’s Symphonic Dances from “West Side Story.” (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)
The performers played with ferocious spirit and refined musicianship. Conductor David Robertson was just as exuberant and expert. (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)
The National Youth Orchestra, drawn from all over the country, featured some locals: Ryan Roberts, center front on oboe, is a 2014 graduate of Santa Monica High School bound for the Juilliard School. (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)
Composer Samuel Adams, center, greets National Youth Orchestra members on the Disney Hall stage after they performed his “Radial Play,” which was commissioned for the ensemble. (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)
The Walt Disney Concert Hall performance was the last stop on the National Youth Orchestra’s tour. Many of the young players were moved to tears as their summer journey ended. (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)