Concertgebouworkest Young opens SAIL 2025

Elim Chan conducts the unique international youth orchestra

Opening Night 2023 (image: Nathan Reinds)

As part of the SAIL Amsterdam celebrations, talented young musicians from dozens of different countries perform Shostakovich’s Fifth Symphony, Elgar’s Cello Concerto featuring Julia Hagen. In addition, they will collaborate with vocalists Karsu, Laetitia Gerards and Lucas van Lierop.

The very future of classical music is right here onstage.

Concert programme

  • Edward Elgar

    Cello Concerto

  • Dmitri Shostakovich

    Symfonie nr. 5 in d kl.t., op. 47

Performers

About this concert

Concertgebouw Orchestra Young is our international youth orchestra for talented musicians aged fourteen to seventeen who could use a little extra support. Since the first edition in 2019, our biennial summer project has gained wide acclaim for its uniqueness and innovation. Many former members are now conservatoire students and active musicians. 

Held for the fifth time in August 2025, young people from every corner of Europe will again be meeting up. After an intensive summer programme, they will be presenting themselves as a youth orchestra at the Amsterdam Concertgebouw and at Hamburg's prestigious Elbphilharmonie, as well as opening SAIL Amsterdam 2025!

Under the direction of Elim Chan, they will be performing Elgar's Cello Concerto featuring Julia Hagen, and Shostakovich’s intense Fifth Symphony. In addition, they will collaborate with vocalists Karsu, Laetitia Gerards and Lucas van Lierop.

After the concerts, the young musicians will return to their home countries as active ambassadors for the musical and social ideals of Concertgebouworkest Young. The very future of classical music is right here onstage: a very special experience for the audience and for the musicians themselves.

Dates and tickets

About this concert

Concertgebouw Orchestra Young is our international youth orchestra for talented musicians aged fourteen to seventeen who could use a little extra support. Since the first edition in 2019, our biennial summer project has gained wide acclaim for its uniqueness and innovation. Many former members are now conservatoire students and active musicians. 

Held for the fifth time in August 2025, young people from every corner of Europe will again be meeting up. After an intensive summer programme, they will be presenting themselves as a youth orchestra at the Amsterdam Concertgebouw and at Hamburg's prestigious Elbphilharmonie, as well as opening SAIL Amsterdam 2025!

Under the direction of Elim Chan, they will be performing Elgar's Cello Concerto featuring Julia Hagen, and Shostakovich’s intense Fifth Symphony. In addition, they will collaborate with vocalists Karsu, Laetitia Gerards and Lucas van Lierop.

After the concerts, the young musicians will return to their home countries as active ambassadors for the musical and social ideals of Concertgebouworkest Young. The very future of classical music is right here onstage: a very special experience for the audience and for the musicians themselves.