Chang Han-na appointed chief conductor of Norwegian orchestra

Chang Han-na conducting an orchestra / Courtesy of EMI Classics

By Yun Suh-young

Korean cellist and conductor Chang Han-na, 33, was named chief conductor and artistic leader of Norway’s Trondheim Symfoniorkester (TSO), announced the orchestra on its website, Friday (KST).

Chang will take up the new position at the start of the 2017/18 season. She has already served as the TSO’s principal guest conductor since Sept. 2013.

"The orchestra has immensely enjoyed developing its relationship with this dynamic conductor since her first visit in February 2013," said Roar Leinan, managing director of the TSO. “We look forward to her taking us even further.”

"I am inspired by the passion and dedication of the musicians of the TSO and I am delighted that we have an opportunity to weave together lasting moments of inspiration through the great symphonic repertoire for our cherished audiences in Trondheim," said Chang in a statement on the website.

After making a sensational conducting debut at the BBC Proms in September 2014 with the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra, Chang has guest conducted for the Oslo Philharmonic, Philharmonia Orchestra, Gothenburg Symphony, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, Staatskapelle Dresden, Malmo Symphony, Cincinnati and Indianapolis Symphonies, WDR Sinfonieorchester, Tokyo and Singapore Symphonies and Teatro di San Carlo.

Chang made an early debut on the world stage at age 11 when she won both first prize and the contemporary music prize at the fifth Rostropovich International Cello Competition in Paris in 1994. She has received international recognition for her talents ever since. As a cellist, she has collaborated with most of the world’s major orchestras including Berliner Philharmoniker, New York Philharmonic, the Philadelphia and Cleveland orchestras, Chicago and Boston symphony orchestras, Orchestre National de France and London Symphony Orchestra.