The Hallé has introduced that Kahchun Wong (pictured) will turn into principal conductor and creative advisor of the orchestra from September 2024, with an preliminary contract of 5 years. Wong takes over from Sir Mark Elder, who will turn into conductor emeritus after 24 years as music director with the Hallé.

Born in 1986 in Singapore, Wong began his musical life enjoying the cornet in his main faculty brass band after which composed for wind orchestras throughout his nationwide service within the army band. He studied opera and orchestral conducting in Berlin, earlier than changing into the primary Asian to win the Gustav Mahler Conducting Competitors.

Since then he has performed ensembles together with the New York Philharmonic, Bamberg Symphony, Czech Philharmonic, Detroit Symphony, and Konzerthausorchester Berlin amongst others. He begins his tenure as Chief Conductor of the Japan Philharmonic Orchestra from 2023-24, and, in the identical season, can even assume the function of Principal Visitor Conductor at Dresdner Philharmonie.

On his new appointment, Wong stated: ‘I’m deeply honoured to be the brand new principal conductor and creative advisor of the Hallé. It’s an orchestra I’ve at all times admired for its lovely sound and custom. It’s a privilege to turn into part of Manchester’s vibrant cultural scene and to proceed the excessive requirements of music making related to Sir Mark Elder and our distinguished predecessors. I’m wanting ahead to working with the visionary workforce on the Hallé in charting our creative future collectively.’

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Sir Mark Elder stated: ‘Working with these extraordinary musicians and performing for our fantastic viewers has been the centre of my life for practically 25 years. I’m thrilled to have the chance to proceed to develop these two relationships as conductor emeritus and I a lot stay up for many thrilling concert events within the years to return. I want Kahchun each success and I do know the folks of Manchester will welcome him warmly.’

The general public’s first likelihood to see is at The Bridgewater Corridor on Saturday 24 June at 7pm. He seems as a part of Manchester Classical, a Hallé-led competition of music for brand new audiences that includes all the town’s skilled orchestras, in a collection of hour-long concert events all through the day and into the night time on 24 and 25 June.

Wong can even lead the Hallé on a tour of Spain in January 2024, and conduct Fauré’s Requiem with the Hallé at 6pm on Thursday 2 Might 2024 in The Bridgewater Corridor, simply days earlier than Sir Mark Elder’s last run of concert events as music director.