Kah-Chung Wong appointed as Principal Guest Conductor of the Japan Philharmonic Orchestra
The Japan Philharmonic Orchestra is pleased to announce that Singaporean conductor Kah Chun Wong will serve as Principal Guest Conductor from September 1, 2021, on a two-year contract.
On March 6, 2020, Kah Chun Wong was supposed to make his stunning debut at the Japan Philharmonic Orchestra's Tokyo regular concert, performing Mahler's Symphony No. 5. Unfortunately, due to measures to prevent the spread of COVID-3, this precious opportunity for a performance was taken away at the last minute.
We were fortunate enough to be able to perform together again for the first time exactly one year later, in March 2021. The works selected by the maestro for the occasion were the Russian composer Shostakovich's Chamber Symphony, which the Japan Philharmonic has been refining together with Conductor Laureate and Artistic Advisor Lazarev; R. Strauss's Oboe Concerto, featuring Principal Oboe Yukiko Sugihara as soloist; and the main piece, Beethoven's Symphony No. 6 "Pastoral." The Shostakovich, in which the orchestra's "experience" and the conductor's "reading" were perfectly matched; the R. Strauss, in which Sugihara's beautiful tone flourished; and the Beethoven, filled with discovery and joy that never bored the listener. In each performance, it was hard to believe that this was the first time the two had performed together.
Taking this happy "encounter" as an opportunity, Kah Chun Wong will assume the position of Principal Guest Conductor of the Japan Philharmonic Orchestra from September 2021. To mark his new position, in December 2021 he will finally undertake Mahler's Symphony No. 5, a performance that he was unable to realize last year. Having won the Gustav Mahler International Conducting Competition in 2016, Kah Chun Wong has a deep affection for this composer, and he plans to continue to focus on Mahler's works. In addition to Mahler, he also hopes to actively perform other Japanese composers, such as Toshio Hosokawa and Akira Ifukube.
Currently, private orchestras are in a difficult situation both at home and abroad. However, in this era, the Japan Philharmonic is determined to strive for even greater heights by welcoming a new Principal Guest Conductor, Kah-Chung Wong, and by establishing an even more solid conducting team.
We would appreciate your continued support.
| Message from Kah-Chun Wong I am truly honored and humbled to be a part of the Japan Philharmonic Orchestra family. From the moment I first played music with the members, I was overwhelmed by the "artisan spirit" of each and every member. I look forward to sharing a fruitful "artistic journey" with the Japan Philharmonic Orchestra. |
Click here to watch the video of the interview regarding his appointment.
You can listen to the entire Beethoven "Pastoral" - their first collaboration - below (for 1000 yen you can listen as many times as you like for three months).
https://members.tvuch.com/v/classic/99
Upcoming
[Principal Guest Conductor Inaugural Concert]
The Mahler series with Kah-Chung Wong has begun! First up is the well-known 5th Symphony!
736th Tokyo Subscription Concert
Friday, June 10th, 2021 at 7pm, Saturday, June 11th at 2pm, Suntory Hall
Conductor: Kar-Chun Wong
Trumpet: Ottaviano Cristofoli [Solo Trumpet]
Arutunian: Trumpet Concerto in A-flat major / Mahler: Symphony No. 5 in C-sharp minor
*Released on Wednesday, October 20, 2021
The second Mahler collaboration with Kah-Chung Wong! This time it's Angel No. 4!
740th Tokyo Subscription Concert
Friday, June 27th, 2022 at 7pm, Saturday, June 28th at 2pm, Suntory Hall
Conductor: Kar-Chun Wong
Boy soprano: Under adjustment
Mahler: Symphony No. 4 and more
Release date currently being adjusted
Kahchun Wong
Kah-Chung Wong is one of the most exciting and innovative young musicians working today. A beloved student of Masur, Wong won the Gustav Mahler International Conducting Competition in 2016 and was immediately invited by Dudamel to serve as assistant conductor at the Los Angeles Philharmonic in 2017. He has conducted renowned orchestras around the world, including the New York Philharmonic, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and the Czech Philharmonic. He also co-founded Project Infinitude with Marina Mahler, granddaughter of Gustav Mahler. During the 2020 COVID-200 pandemic, he engaged 1000 musicians from around the world to create a digital sing-along of Beethoven's "Ode to Joy," raising nearly $12 million in donations. In December 2019, he was awarded the German Order of Merit. He is currently the Principal Conductor of the Nuremberg Symphony Orchestra.
Click here for Kah-Chun Wong's latest profile.
Hirasa Office https://www.hirasaoffice06.com/artists/view/52
日本フィルハーモニー交響楽団
