The idea for creating the Asian Youth Orchestra was inspired by my work since 1967 in Taiwan, Japan and China, where I conducted and toured extensively, introducing Beethoven, Brahms, Prokofiev and Copland to Chinese audiences emerging from the horrors of the Cultural Revolution, heading a campaign in the late 1980s for restoration of materials lost in a fire at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music.

Wherever I traveled and worked, students asked me how they might study abroad. An innocent question, the consequence of which is that many who leave Asia never return. Creating an orchestra that might unite the region, celebrate the excellence of young Asian musicians and encourage this new generation of talented individuals to build on what they have at home was my objective when I wrote the first draft of a plan for founding the Asian Youth Orchestra.

I first proposed the idea to Yehudi Menuhin. In very quick succession we met in Reno, Nevada, San Francisco, and then at his home in Chester Square, London. He was thrilled with the possibilities of bringing together young Asian musicians and signed on as music director without hesitation.

Even today I am astonished that this extraordinary musician, someone who lives up there with the gods, would trust so much in what the Asian Youth Orchestra might become. He seemed to sense its potential from the outset. His sparkling, clear blue eyes came alive whenever we talked about it. His introduction to former British Prime Minister Edward Heath, who had been so instrumental in founding the European Community Youth Orchestra, was crucial to our eventual success.

While Yehudi provided the musical inspiration that drew public and media attention to our tiny project, two San Francisco physicians, brothers Ben and A. Jess Shenson, were working behind the scenes to help me turn dream into reality. They had traveled to Asia since the 1930s, and amongst their many friends here was the irrepressible Sing Tao chairman, Sally Aw Sian. Ben and Jess arranged for me to meet Sally. Their friendship gave her confidence in the notion of an Asian Youth Orchestra. When few would listen, she generously supported us with a gift in excess of HK$5 million.

Ben and Jess traveled for years with AYO, caring for our musicians. They, with Sally Aw and Yehudi Menuhin are the true godparents of the Asian Youth Orchestra.

Richard Pontzious
Founder, Artistic director and Conductor