Welsh conductor Craig Roberts is in Baden-Wuttemberg, Germany this week working at the second ‘Internationales Classic Camp’ hosted in the town of Ravensburg.

The MD, who is a frequent visiting conductor of the Stadtorchester Ravensburg, will on this occasion work with youth music groups from the UK, Croatia, Spain, Italy and Germany.

Massed choir and orchestra

Following a full week of rehearsals and social activities, the massed international choir and orchestra of more than 200 young people — which includes a group of 10 young brass players and vocalists from Rhondda Cynon Taf in Wales — will present a grand scale performance of Frigyes Hidas' ‘Requiem’ in a special Abschlusskonzert on Friday.

Tremendous

Speaking to 4BR Craig said: “It's a tremendous atmosphere here at the Classic Camp. It's an incredible experience for all the young people involved, some of who have never performed or worked on anything of this scale and nature before."

It's an incredible experience for all the young people involved, some of who have never performed or worked on anything of this scale and nature beforeCraig Roberts

Poignancy

He added: "The Hidas is a major work, one hour in duration, and being presented here by our German friends as a tribute to the fallen of all nations in this end of WWII 70th anniversary year gives the work and the camp even greater symbolism and poignancy."

It is intended that a reciprocal event involving the German and Welsh participants will be hosted in the UK in November.