Luxembourg

The Orchestra leaves Wiesbaden and heads west along the banks of the Mosel and crosses the border into the tiny country of Luxembourg.  Officially it is called the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, landlocked and bordered by Germany, France and Belgium.  It's one of the smallest countries in the world, with only a half a million in population, but has one of the highest GDP's with banking and other financial exports accounting for most of it's economy.

The YO performs not in Luxembourg City but in the quaint border town of Echternach at the prestigious Festival International Echternach.

Concert venue in Echternach is the Trifolium Atrium, a modern structure nestled among the stately buildings just off the main square.

Welcoming the YO are SFS stage crew Dennis Devost and Mike Olague














As the Orchestra arrives, RTL (Radio Television Luxembourg) the national TV station is already there to tape some of the rehearsal, shooting a news feature for the evening news.   As two of the official languages of Luxembourg are German and French,  trombone Matthew Striplen does his interview in German while flutist Pavitra Rengarajan (you may remember her from the Regensburg video) says a few words in French.  Donato sticks to English for this one.  RTL is very impressed, not just with their language skills, but with their playing of course.

You can watch the RTL clip HERE

During a break between rehearsal and concert, a few members of the string section practice some chamber music, with special guest violist SFSYO Manager Jason Pyszkowski.

Librarian (and bassoonist) Alexis Luque tends to the scores backstage in Luxembourg.

You may remember Alexis from the following YO profile video.

A short detour back to Wiesbaden, here is Alexis and his fellow Bassoonist on their pilgrimage to the Heckel factory in Wiesbaden, the most revered name in Bassoons.  If you're a bassoonist, you know this name and the group was thrilled to get an opportunity to see where the best are made.

But back to Luxembourg and concert time at the Trifolium.  Everyone agrees it was one of the finest performances yet.  Go YO !  On to Berlin.