1953
Performance in Brussels, during the International Conference on Music Education organised by UNESCO
In 1953 JM World Orchestra brought together outstanding young musicians under the guidance of world-class conductors for a full concert programme followed by an international tour.
The JM World Orchestra is a historical program of Jeunesses Musicales International that has now been discontinued. Nevertheless, it still represents a significant part of the history of the organisation, as well as the first international youth orchestra of its kind.
Conductor
The Brussels conductor Franz André (1893–1975) completed his musical studies at the Brussels Conservatory. He received the first prize for violin in 1912 and soon became passionate about orchestral conducting.
Paul Hindemith was one of the principal German composers of the first half of the 20th century and a leading musical theorist. He founded the Amar Quartet in 1921, touring extensively through Europe as a composer.
Soloist
Yetty Martens was a Belgian contralto known for her warm, dark timbre and strong musicality, qualities typical of that rare voice type. She was mainly active in opera, oratorio, and concert repertoire, rather than as a mainstream international star. She performed works by composers such as Johann Sebastian Bach and George Frideric Handel, where the contralto voice plays an important role, especially in sacred music. In addition to performing, she was also respected as a teacher, contributing to vocal training in Belgium and influencing younger singers.
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