YPR Program Listings: From the Top

From the Top is a performance showcase for America’s best young classical musicians, from ages 9-18, celebrating their commitment to music and the arts. Acclaimed pianist Christopher O’Riley proves that he is “young at heart” as an egalitarian host. The program provides a platform for young artists to present themselves, share their passion, and develop into cultural leaders.

May 23 (repeated May 26)
Chautauqua, New York
Recorded: July 20, 2013
This week, From the Top comes to you from the country’s oldest day camp, Chautauqua Institution, where we are performing in the beautiful Chautauqua Amphitheater. You’ll hear a young composer play piano for one of his own compositions with a talented violinist, as well as a talented 18-year-old soprano, a violinist from Illinois, a 13-year-old pianist, and a guitarist from Minnestoa.

Violinist Laura Park, 18, from Des Plaines, IL performs the Waltz-Scherzo, Op.34 by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky, accompanied by Christopher O'Riley, piano.

Guitarist Xavier Jara, 18, from Arlington, MN performing the Sonata in D major, K.53 by Domenico Scarlatti.

Soprano Emily Helenbrook, 18, from Alexander, NY sings "O luce di quest'anima" (Oh! star that guid’st my fervent love) from the opera Linda di Chamounix by Gaetano Donizetti, accompanied by Christopher O'Riley, piano.

Composer, pianist, and Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Franz Zhao, 17, from San Francisco, CA performs his piece "Ideas" for violin and piano with violinist Alexandra "Allie" Switala, 18, from Grapevine, TX.

Ho Joon Kim, piano, age 13 from Los Angeles, CA performs the Hungarian Rhapsody No.12 in C-Sharp minor by Franz Liszt.

May 30 (repeated June 2)
Where Are They Now?
On this highlight show, From The Top showcases past alumni and outlines what they are doing now.
Performers and repertoire to be announced.

June 6 (repeated June 9)
Princeton, New Jersey
Recorded: May 19, 2013
This week, we’re at Richardson Auditorium at Princeton University in a special episode that features the American Boychoir.
Performers and repertoire to be announced.

June 13 (repeated June 16)
Brunswick, Maine
Recorded: February 29, 2012
This week, From the Top comes to you from Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine, where a 17-year-old cellist performs Rachmaninoff, a 15-year-old Washington native plays Poulenc on the violin, and a From the Top alumnus currently studying at Bowdoin plays piano.

Cellist Ben Manis, 17, from Chicago, IL performs III. Andante from Sonata in G minor for Cello and Piano, Op. 19 by Sergei Rachmaninoff

Violinist and Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Gloria Ferry-Brennan, 15, from Langley, WA performs I. Allegro con fuoco from Sonata by Francis Poulenc

Pianist Allen Yu, 19, from Cohoes, NY performs The Great Gate of Kiev from Pictures at an Exhibition by Modest Mussorgsky, arr. Horowitz

Elan Duo (violinist Nash Ryder, 16, from Arundel, ME, and harpist Anna DeLoi, 16, from Plaistow, NH) performs Prelude from the Suite Bergamasque by Claude Debussy, arr. Jolles and Lucarelli

Clarinetist Moon Sun Yoo, 17, from Korea (studying at the Walnut Hill School in Natick, MA) performs Introduction, Theme and Variation by Gioachino Rossini

June 20 (repeated June 23)
El Paso, Texas
Recorded: June 1, 2013
This week, From the Top comes to you from The Plaza Theatre in El Paso, Texas. This live taping was presented by the El Paso Summer Music Festival.
Performer and repertoire information to be announced.

June 27 (repeated June 30)
Beijing, China I
Recorded: July 28, 2012
From the Top is at the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing, China, with the talented students from the Great Wall International Music Academy. You’ll hear several talented musicians who hail from Kentucky to Shanghai, as well as hear a famous Chinese folk composer’s piece played by the Great Wall Soloists.

Performers and repertoire:

Violinist Zhang Jin Ru, 16 from Shanghai performs the Polonaise No.1 in D major, Op.4 by Henryk Wieniawski, accompanied by Christopher O'Riley, piano.

Cellist Carolyn Ronning, 17 from Noblesville, Indiana performs Allegro Appassionato by Camille Saint-Saëns, accompanied by Christopher O'Riley, piano.

Mei Di Yang viola, age 17 from Beijing. Performing 1. Allegro appassionata (4:05 w/cuts) from the Sonata No.1 in F minor, Op.120 by Johannes Brahms, accompanied by Christopher O'Riley, piano.

Violinists Skye Park, 10 from Lexington, Kentucky and Christina Nam, 9 from West Chester, Ohio perform I. Vivace from the Concerto in D minor for Two Violins, BWV 1043 by Johann Sebastian Bach with Kurt Sassmannshaus and the Great Wall Soloists.

Great Wall Soloists, Kurt Sassmannshaus, conductor perform "Moon Reflecting in the Erquan Pond" by Abing, arr. Wu Zuqiang.

July 4 (repeated July 7)
Beijing, China II
Recorded: July 28, 2012
From the Top tapes it’s second show at the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing with the Great Wall International Music Academy. You’ll hear an amazing 13-year-old musician who plays an ehru, a traditional Chinese instrument that is like a two-stringed fiddle.

Performers and repertoire:

Violinist Kristine Clair Uchi Galano, 11 from Brunei, Borneo performs I. Allegro moderato from the Violin Concerto in G major, Hob.VIIa:4 by Franz Joseph Haydn, with Kurt Sassmannshaus and the Great Wall Soloists.

Violinish Jiang Yi Liang, 16 from Shanghai performs 1. Allegro moderato from the Concerto No.1 in B-flat Major for Violin and Orchestra, K.207 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart with Kurt Sassmannshaus and the Great Wall Soloists.

Ehru player, Ji Bolin 13 from Beijing performs "Sunshine on Taxkorgan" by Chen Gang accompanied by Christopher O'Riley, piano.

Piano Xu Jin Zhao, 15 from Beijing performs the Etude in A minor, Op.25, No.11 by Frédéric Chopin.

Great Wall String Quartet with Christopher O'Riley, piano performs I. Allegro brillante from the Piano Quintet in E-flat major, Op.44, by Robert Schumann.

Violinist Yabing Tan, 23
Violinist Lin Haoli, 23
Violist Yi Tong, 19
Cellist Bryant Tjahjono Gozali, 19
Christopher O'Riley, piano