Category : Radio
4
Date : 27.04.2004
Printable version
Radio 4 listeners
have clubbed together to buy instruments for the Amazon Youth Cello
Orchestra which is to perform for the first time in Europe on 11
May.
听
After hearing Radio 4's Music From The Rainforest
programme on 10 February - which featured the young Brazilian musicians
playing Bach, Haydn and Vivaldi to the residents of the Amazon rainforest
- listeners were moved to offer money and support to the orchestra whose
members struggle to buy instruments.
听
Two cellos have been bought for them and will be presented to
the musicians when they perform at a concert in Amsterdam 聳 a booking
that was made after concert organisers heard their musical talent on
the Radio 4 programme.
听
This will be the first time many of the musicians have
travelled outside the Amazon region.
听
Mark Rickards, Senior Producer, Radio 4 says: "I
have been overwhelmed by the response to the programme.
听
"I've been replying to a steady stream of letters
from listeners offering money, instruments, even offering to sponsor
the children.
听
"These children have shown
incredible dedication and tenacity - the difficulties of learning to
play the cello in the Amazon rainforest is hard for us to contemplate.
听
"But the Radio 4 listeners have obviously been
moved by their plight and are now liaising directly with the orchestra
to see how they can help.
听
"I've never had such a response
to one of my programmes. The children of the Amazon have been thrilled."
听
Notes to Editors
听
The Amazon Youth Cello Orchestra is performing on Tuesday
11 May 2004 at the PINC 5 International Conference, Hotel Figi / Het
Rond 2 / 3701 HS Zeist, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
