The National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain is formed from an exceptionally gifted group of musicians – but last night at the BBC Proms, they showed that they even have the wow factor when they’re not playing their instruments.
A packed Royal Albert Hall had enjoyed music by Messiaen, Nico Muhly and Varese – but it was the last piece that some would consider the highlight.
Written by young composer Anna Meredith and choreographed by David Ogle, it’s called HandsFree and is best described as a beat-boxing, percussive dance, with the players putting down their instruments and using their hands and voices to breath-taking effect.
HandsFree: The NYO showed that they don't need their instruments to wow crowds
They clapped, stamped, sung and used their bodies as drums with incredible dexterity and precision.
Huffington Post UK was lucky enough to witness the performance, which when seen from afar is quite astonishing.
The final two minutes of the 12-minute piece has been uploaded to YouTube and this shows off how the members of the orchestra seemed to think almost as one, producing waves of movement and noise.
Bravo, boys and girls!