Passing the baton: what sets Kahchun Wong apart as the new conductor of The Hallé Orchestra

The start of a new era: Kahchun Wong is the new Principal Conductor of Manchester’s renowned Hallé Orchestra. To mark his inauguration at the start of the 2024/25 season, he will conduct Mahler's Symphony No. 1, to which he has a very, very strong affinity. We caught up with him during his first few days in Manchester and asked him what it's like to take over a new orchestra. Kahchun Wong, born in 1986 in Singapore, started his musical life playing the cornet in his primary school brass band and then composed for wind orchestras during his national service in the military band. He then studied opera and orchestral conducting in Berlin, before becoming the first Asian contestant to win the Gustav Mahler Conducting Competition, which has been organized every 3 years by the Bamberg Symphony Orchestra since 2004. Praised by the magazine Musical America for the “depth and sincerity of his musicality,” Kahchun Wong began his tenure as Chief Conductor of the Japan Philharmonic Orchestra during the 2023/24 season, building upon the deep musical bond forged between musicians during his time as Principal Guest Conductor of the orchestra. In the same season, he also assumed the role of Principal Guest Conductor at Dresdner Philharmonie. Since the 2024/25 season began, Kahchun Wong has also been Chief Conductor of The Hallé Orchestra. The Hallé Orchestra is named after its founder, pianist and conductor Charles Hallé. Born in Germany in 1819, Karl Halle moved to England after the revolution of 1848 and anglicized his name. The first Hallé concert was held in Manchester's Free Trade Hall on January 30, 1858. In 1996, the orchestra moved to its new home: Bridgewater Hall. The Hallé performs around 125 concerts each year in and outside of Manchester. Famous conductors include Sir Thomas Beecham (1914–1920, 1933–1939), Sir John Barbirolli (1943–1970), Kent Nagano (1992–1999) and Sir Mark Elder (2000–2024). Report by Ulrike Bornhak © 2024 Deutsche Welle Watch more interesting documentaries:    • MUSIC DOCUMENTARIES   and more portraits of famous musicians:    • MUSICIAN PROFILES   Listen to more symphonies:    • SYMPHONIES   and enjoy more concerts in your personal concert hall:    • CONCERT HALL   Subscribe to DW Classical Music:    / dwclassicalmusic   #mahler #kahchunwong #conductors