This weekend, conductor JoAnn Falletta will lead the World Youth Symphony Orchestra in the Symphony no. 2 by Jean Sibelius.
For all of the young musicians of WYSO, this is their very first time playing a Sibelius symphony. The music of Jean Sibelius, Falletta says, is "his world, his geography, his soul."
"If you do Sibelius 2," she explains, "you have an idea of all of his symphonies, of his signature sound, of his psyche."
Falletta also shared her delight in being back at Interlochen working with young musicians. "It's been a long two years," she says.
"To see friendships grow and people having fun with each other from different backgrounds is so inspiring to me," she told IPR.
Sunday's program also includes a work for percussion ensemble by Joe W. Moore III called "Ojo." Keith Aleo will direct that piece, which Falletta says is "dazzling."
Listen live on IPR Sunday evening to hear the World Youth Symphony Orchestra under Falletta's baton.
Pre-concert coverage begins at 7 p.m. with the downbeat at 7:30 p.m.
