Kahchun Wong Conducts Mahler’s ‘Titan’
In his first concert as the Hallé's new principal conductor, Kahchun Wong conducts his arrangement of Britten's The Prince of the Pagodas: Suite and Mahler's Symphony No.1.
Today, Mahler’s ‘Titan’ Symphony is celebrated as one of the most daring first symphonies ever written, thanks to its willingness to break with convention and its evocative exploration of the human experience. It is difficult to imagine now that Mahler’s First Symphony was, largely, ill-received at its first few performances, despite undergoing several extensive revisions by the composer. As a previous winner of the Gustav Mahler Conducting Competition, Kahchun Wong has a particularly close affinity to Mahler’s works.
Benjamin Britten was commissioned to write the music for The Prince of the Pagodas, a ballet that at its 1989 revival saw a then 20-year old Dame Darcey Bussell in her first principal role. Tonight, we hear a masterful selection from the ballet, arranged by Kahchun, in collaboration with Composer Emeritus of the Hallé Colin Matthews.
Presented by Mark Forrest and recorded on the 26th September 2024.
Benjamin Britten (arranged by Colin Matthews and Kahchun Wong)
The Prince of the Pagodas: Suite
Gustav Mahler
Symphony No.1
Performers:
Hallé Orchestra
Kahchun Wong (conductor)
On radio
Broadcast
- Tue 29 Oct 2024 19:30Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú Radio 3