Founded in 1982 at the initiative of the French Ministry of Culture, the national youth symphony orchestra (Orchestre Français des Jeunes, OFJ) unites talented young musicians from across the country. The orchestra actively performs in France – at the Philharmonics of Paris, Lille, and Dijon, prestigious festivals, and organizes concert tours abroad in the summer.
Since 2025, the orchestra has been led by Estonian conductor Kristiina Poska – one of the brightest European conductors of her generation, recognized for her compelling interpretations of symphonic and operatic music and work with prestigious European orchestras.
In this interview, Kristiina Poska talks about the orchestra’s first concert in Lithuania, the talents of young musicians, and why the most ambitious program of the entire tour was chosen specifically for the Klaipėda Festival.
– What does the opportunity to perform at the Klaipėda Festival mean to you?
– It is a great honor for me to participate in the Klaipėda Festival – an event that has earned an exceptional artistic reputation. This concert has special historical significance. For me personally, it will be a debut not only in Klaipėda but also in Lithuania. Equally important is that this will be the first time the French National Youth Symphony Orchestra performs in this wonderful country.
It is especially gratifying that our debut will be the opening concert of the Baltic States tour – this gives all of us even more excitement and inspiration. We will present to the Klaipėda audience with great joy a program specially prepared for the Klaipėda Festival, and the opportunity to perform it in the impressive, modern hall of the Klaipėda State Musical Theatre “Jūra” is a true privilege. We eagerly look forward to meeting the audience and sharing the experience created by music together.
– The program includes Richard Strauss’s “Also sprach Zarathustra,” Maurice Ravel’s suite “Daphnis et Chloé” No. 2, and the legendary “Boléro.” What would you most like the audience to experience or discover while listening to these works?
– I would most like the listeners to feel the extraordinary, almost physically tangible power of these legendary works. This is music that not only sounds but floods with its energy, emotions, and scale. And when combined with the orchestra’s exceptional mastery, youthful energy, and determination to perform such an impressive program in one concert, we expect a special result.
– Why did you choose these particular works for the concert in Klaipėda?
– Usually, during the summer session, the French Youth Orchestra prepares two completely different concert programs – linked by a concert for soloist and orchestra, but the symphonic works in each program are different. However, for the Klaipėda Festival, we decided to make no compromises – we combined the most important works from both programs into one evening. This means that the Klaipėda Festival audience will hear the richest, most ambitious, and technically challenging program of our entire tour.
By juxtaposing the philosophical grandeur of Richard Strauss’s music with the unmatched brilliance of Maurice Ravel’s work, we want to reveal the technical mastery and artistic possibilities of the French National Youth Symphony Orchestra. And Ravel’s music – part of our French musicians’ DNA – allows us to naturally convey a distinctive French sense of color, subtlety of musical textures, and elegance on stage.
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– What distinguishes the French Youth Orchestra from other youth orchestras you have worked with? Is it possible to describe its sound and energy on stage in one word?
– This youth orchestra stands out from other ensembles by its ability to combine immense musical power with distinctive French elegance and spirit. It features the most talented young musicians from all over France, so their music is characterized by natural refinement, subtle stylistic sense, and unique sound.
Although enthusiasm is typical for all youth orchestras, the musicians of this orchestra are also distinguished by extraordinary curiosity and a sincere desire to delve deeper into the music they perform. They do not limit themselves to precise note execution – they seek the essence, soul, and meaning of the piece.
If I had to describe their sound and energy on stage in one word, I would choose “exceptional.”
This word best describes what they bring to the stage. Their technical mastery, mature musical interpretation, and radiant youthful energy far exceed what is usually expected from a youth orchestra. They do not just perform music – each time they create a unique experience. This is exactly what we look forward to sharing with the Klaipėda Festival audience.
– What would you wish for the Klaipėda Festival audience and all its guests as the special concert evening approaches?
– I wish every listener to come with an open heart and let the music carry them away. We sincerely rejoice to be able to come to Klaipėda and be part of this wonderful Klaipėda Festival. Thank you for the invitation – we look forward to meeting you at the concert.
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