Edgar Moreau to perform Elgar concerto on Poska’s Baltic tour

French cellist Edgar Moreau will perform Edward Elgar’s Cello Concerto with the French National Youth Orchestra, conducted by Kristiina Poska, ERR reported.

The concert opens Eesti Kontsert’s autumn season as the orchestra tours the Baltic states. Founded by France’s Ministry of Culture in 1982, the orchestra gives talented young musicians an opportunity to prepare for professional orchestral work.

Although its members are among France’s best young instrumentalists, Poska said working with them requires a different approach than working with an established symphony orchestra.

“Even highly accomplished young musicians still have to learn how an orchestra plays together and how its internal hierarchy works. At the same time, they have the potential to leap beyond their own limitations when necessary and achieve something fantastic,” Poska said.

Moreau will perform on a cello that is more than 300 years old. He has played the instrument since he was 14. It belonged to his father, who died young.

“For a cellist, the instrument is like their voice. I have a very strong and special connection with this cello. It is my father’s legacy,” Moreau said.

Alongside classical masterpieces, the orchestra’s programme includes contemporary Estonian symphonic music, with Erkki-Sven Tüür’s work “Exodus” on the programme.

“Tüür has a very distinctive musical language, and its rhythmic side is particularly difficult for foreign orchestras. It was a real challenge and required a lot of practice, but they have handled it very well,” Poska said.

Moreau said the appeal of live performance lies in the direct contact between performers and listeners.

“As performers, we are like translators, a link between the composer and the audience. My task is to convey the work in the best possible way while also putting my own energy and personality into it,” he said.

The French musicians will perform on Thursday at the Estonia Concert Hall and on Friday at Pärnu Concert Hall. The orchestra will then travel to Latvia to conclude its tour.