Mikko Franck has donated €75 000 to the Orchestra of Young Musicians.
Symphony Orchestra Vivo is Finland’s only national, regular, full-scale youth symphony orchestra. It was founded in 1986.
The orchestra’s musicians come from all over Finland and are aged between 15 and 25. They are selected by entrance examinations.
Conductor Mikko Franck tells Yle in a telephone interview that he wanted to make a donation to Vivo because he has also played in it.
Franck started as a violinist in the orchestra at the age of 13. In the years 1997–1999, he was the conductor of the orchestra.
– I heard last autumn that once again there are challenges in the orchestra’s financing and the operation was threatened to end. I had the opportunity to work for the orchestra and I gladly did it.
Mikko Franck has fond memories of Vivo.
– I gained experience playing, but I also met like-minded young people from different parts of Finland.
Conductor Mikko Franck reminds us that if youth orchestras are not supported and their activities cease, it will backfire later: Finland will no longer produce famous musicians and conductors.
– You can’t be lulled into the fact that Finland is a wonderland of music forever and ever, but you have to work constantly, he says.
Mikko Franck has had a spectacular career and has led prestigious orchestras around the world, including the Berlin, New York and Los Angeles Philharmonics and the London Symphony Orchestra.
He is currently the chief conductor of the French Radio Philharmonic Orchestra.
Orchestra lacks funding for next year
Despite the monetary donation, Vivo’s operation is at stake again from the beginning of next year.
– Now this year has been saved, but a year is a short time. If youth orchestras are to be maintained in Finland, a solution for financing must be found, Mikko Franck states.
Vivo is not the only youth symphony orchestra in Finland with financial difficulties.
The basic funding of the Nordic Symphony Orchestra Orkester Norden, given by the Nordic Council of Ministers, will also end at the end of this year.