Han-Na Chang (Korean: 장한나, Hanja: 張漢娜, [tɕaŋhanna]; born December 23, 1982) is a South Korean conductor and cellist.

Born in Suwon, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea, Chang began studying piano at age 3, and cello at age 6. In 1993, her family moved to the United States, where she was enrolled in the pre-college division of the Juilliard School.[1] In 1993, she attended Mischa Maisky's masterclasses in Siena, Italy, and continued to study with him privately. In 1994, she competed in the Fifth Rostropovich International Cello Competition, and was awarded the First Prize as well as the Contemporary Music Prize.[2] Chang subsequently studied privately with Mstislav Rostropovich.[3] In 1995, she made her debut recording of Tchaikovsky's Variations on a Rococo Theme and Saint-Saëns' Cello Concerto No. 1 with Rostropovich conducting the London Symphony Orchestra.[4] In addition to studies at Juilliard, Chang read philosophy at Harvard University.[5]

Chang subsequently developed an interest in conducting, and studied with James DePreist.[3] She made her professional conducting debut in Korea in 2007.[6] In 2009, she founded the Absolute Classic Festival, based in Gyeonggi Province, Korea, with a focus on young musicians, and serves as its artistic director.[5] Chang made her UK conducting debut with the Philharmonia Orchestra in January 2012,[7] and conducted the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic for the first time in February 2012.[8] She has now shifted her musical focus to conducting, away from cello performances.[9]

Chang first guest-conducted the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra in June 2012.[3] In December 2012, the orchestra named her its next music director.[6][9] She led the orchestra in its first-ever appearance at The Proms on 7 September 2014. The next day, 8 September 2014, Chang resigned the music directorship of the orchestra, with immediate effect, citing "persistent administrative difficulties and irreconcilable artistic differences with the management".[10]

Chang became principal guest conductor of the Trondheim Symphony Orchestra as of the 2013–2014 season.[11] In March 2016, the orchestra announced the appointment of Chang as its next chief conductor, effective with the 2017–2018 season.[12] She is the first female conductor to be named chief conductor of the Trondheim Symphony Orchestra. In November 2018, the orchestra announced the extension of Chang's contract as chief conductor through the 2022–2023 season.[13] Chang has been appointed as Erste Gastdirigentin (Principal Guest Conductor) for Symphoniker Hamburg - Laeiszhalle Orchester, starting with the 2022–2023 season.

Awards

Albums

References

  1. ^ Yoshihara (2007) p. 74
  2. ^ Chris Pasles (2005-04-22). "Cellist dazzles in Disney Hall debut". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2016-03-20.
  3. ^ a b c "Han-Na Chang: Meet the Maestro". Classical Music Magazine. 2014-08-01. Retrieved 2016-03-20.
  4. ^ Nordlinger, Jay (September 2001). "Kidsplay". New Criterion. 20 (1): 85. Retrieved 2016-03-20.
  5. ^ a b Je-Hae Do (2013-07-22). "The next Chung Myung-whun?". Korea Times. Retrieved 2016-03-20.
  6. ^ a b Ati Metwaly (2012-12-11). "Qatar Philharmonic announces new music director for 2013/14". Ahram. Retrieved 2016-03-20.
  7. ^ "Han-na Chang Makes Her UK Conducting Debut With Philharmonia Orchestra". Harrisonparrott.com. 2012-01-30. Archived from the original on 2013-01-05. Retrieved 2012-12-19.
  8. ^ Joe Riley (2012-02-24). "Review: Tchaikovsky's Romantic Violin, RLPO, Liverpool Philharmonic Hall". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 2016-03-20.
  9. ^ a b Feargus O'Sullivan (2012-12-11). "Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra's new, unifying force". The National. Retrieved 2016-03-20.
  10. ^ Tim Ashley (2014-09-09). "Prom 67: Qatar Philharmonic/Chang/Matsuev review – a full-throttle performance". The Guardian. Retrieved 2016-03-20.
  11. ^ Charlotte Smith (2013-04-26). "Han-Na Chang named Trondheim Symphony principal guest conductor". Gramophone. Retrieved 2013-06-03.
  12. ^ "TSOs nye sjefdirigent" (Press release). Trondheim Symphony Orchestra. 2016-03-02. Archived from the original on 2016-03-05. Retrieved 2016-03-20.
  13. ^ "Han-Na Chang extends contract with Trondheim Symfoniorkester" (Press release). HarrisonParrott / Trondheim Symphony Orchestra. 26 November 2018. Retrieved 2018-12-11.
  14. ^ "Korean Cellist Named Superstar of Tomorrow". The Chosun Ilbo. 10 July 2006. Retrieved 11 September 2014.

Sources

External links

Cultural offices Preceded byMichalis Economou Music Director, Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra 2013–2014 Succeeded by(post vacant) Preceded byKrzysztof Urbanski Chief Conductor and Artistic Leader, Trondheim Symphony Orchestra 2017–present Succeeded byincumbent
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