Poska says youth orchestra conductors must also act as psychologists

Estonian conductor Kristina Poska will lead the French National Youth Orchestra as Eesti Kontsert begins its new season, ERR reported. She said working with young musicians requires a conductor to take on a psychological role as well.

The orchestra brings together musicians aged 16 to 24. Poska said they represent the absolute best of France’s young musicians, selected through a highly competitive process for a popular and prestigious project.

She said the orchestra already includes exceptionally talented performers. Its young concertmaster, for example, is already better than most concertmasters she has worked with in the professional world, Poska said.

The orchestra also has an important educational role. Group leaders and concertmasters change from one work to another so that as many musicians as possible can gain experience leading a section or an orchestra. The lineup also changes among first, second and third players.

In Tallinn and Tartu, the orchestra will perform Strauss with one concertmaster, while in Pärnu it will perform Ravel with another. Each programme includes four first flutes, four first clarinets, four first oboes and similar multiple leading parts, something that would not happen in a professional orchestra.

Poska acknowledged that these changes can be musically destabilising, especially because the musicians have less experience. However, she said the purpose is to give them experience and that the results are still extremely good.

She said working with a youth orchestra is usually more demanding because the musicians need more support, often psychological. Some doubt themselves, and one recent episode saw a very good player unable to perform during solo passages. Poska said she had to take on the role of a psychologist, discuss the situation at length and comfort the musician through tears.

Young musicians are a more sensitive instrument than professionals, she said. Small setbacks can throw them off, while a small positive development can bring them into top form. Their energy also affects performances: when they play, they do so with complete passion, while travel and fatigue can have a strong impact on their concentration.