Video: Matthew Smith conducting the Nottingham Symphony Orchestra
An 11-year-old boy has become the youngest ever person to conduct the Nottingham Symphony Orchestra.
Matthew Smith made his debut at the Royal Concert Hall yesterday (Sunday April 2) and took the lead for Strauss’ Die Fledermaus as part of Nottingham’s oldest orchestra’s ‘Animal Magic!’ extravaganza.
The 11-year-old Sneinton Primary School pupil plays the violin, guitar, drums, piano and viola.
Speaking before his performance, Matthew said: “I first listened to Die Fledermaus when I was seven years old.
“I’d seen a video of a young child conducting the nine minute piece and really wanted to give it a go – I managed to conduct the whole thing a few weeks later.
“I have been rehearsing with the orchestra for a couple of weeks now and it’s sounding really good.
“There are some difficult parts where the music gets faster so I have to move my arms more but I’m getting the hang of it.”
Also speaking before the performance, the regular conductor of Nottingham Symphony Orchestra Derek Williams said: “I spotted Matthew’s musical talent very early on in his musical tuition as I’ve been teaching him the violin for five years.
“There aren’t many children who have the ability to conduct a 75-strong orchestra from memory and it’s a really incredible thing to witness.”
