On the 12th January 2008 Declan Townsend wrote the following in the Irish Examiner:

The remarkable stamina and powers of concentration needed in order to give a convincing performance of Richard Strauss’ monumental, rambling, over-long ‘Alpine Symphony’ were very much in evidence at the concert given by the 113- member National Youth Orchestra of Ireland (Leader, Michael Trainor). .................. Strauss’ unashamedly descriptive, seemingly formless score allows for, and got wonderfully colourful playing from all sections. ............ I envied the young players who got the opportunity of playing this remarkable work… and who did it so convincingly.

© Declan Townsend (see full report)

Click on the links below to access recent comment in the press.

13th July 2009 THE HERALD [Scotland] Review NYOI Symphony Orchestra

13th July 2009 SCOTSMAN Review NYOI Symphony Orchestra

10th July 2009 IRISH TIMES Review NYOI Symphony Orchestra

10th July 2009 IRISH INDEPENDANT Review NYOI Symphony Orchestra

6th January 2009 IRISH EXAMINER Review NYOI Symphony Orchestra

9th January 2009 IRISH TIMES Review NYOI Symphony Orchestra

5th August 2008 JUNGFRAU ZEITUNG Review NYOI Symphony Orchestra (with English translation)

12th January 2008 IRISH EXAMINER Review NYOI Symphony Orchestra

8th January 2007 IRISH TIMES Review NYSOI

August 2006 Aamulehti (Finnish Newspaper) Review NYSOI

12th July 2006 IRISH TIMES Review NYOI

28th January 2006 IRISH TIMES Review NYOI Camerata

15th January 2006 SUNDAY TRIBUNE Review NYSOI

7th January 2006 IRISH TIMES Review NYSOI

On the 1st January 2005 Declan Townsend wrote the following in the Irish Examiner:

There are few parents of the lucky youngsters who play in the National Youth Orchestras of Ireland (comprising the National Youth Orchestra of Ireland and the National Youth Symphony Orchestra of Ireland) who would disagree with me regarding the social, intellectual, spiritual or musical value of the time spent by their offspring in these orchestras. The NYOI is among our most valuable national treasures. Unlike the treasures in museums, though, this asset is constantly changing, constantly growing, constantly improving. ......... Toyota Ireland is to be congratulated on its practical support of this most valuable national treasure.

© Declan Townsend (see full report)

29th June 2005 IRISH TIMES Special Report (4 pages in PDF format) - Page 1, Page 2, Page 3, Page 4

7th February 2005 Birmingham Post "Culture Vulture" column

30th January 2005 Memorial and Benefit Concert for Beslan 2005 Irish Times Review

29th January 2005 IRISH TIMES magazine SEVEN THINGS TO DO THIS WEEK

28th January 2005 Concert of the week RTE GUIDE

27th January 2005 EVENING HERALD Russian boy (10) whose miraculous escape made TV headlines to visit for benefit concert

6th January 2005 EVENING ECHO Orchestra displays best aspects of our diversity

1st January 2005 Preview "Irish Examiner"

18th December 2004 CLASSICAL MUSIC magazine "UK premiere of the year in Symphony Hall"

8th August 2004 Sunday Tribune Review

2nd August 2004 Birmingham Post Review (Symphony Hall UK)

18th July 2004 Sunday Business Post Review

13th July 2004 Irish Times Review NYOI Orchestra