By Han Sang-hee
Staff Reporter
Korean violinist Sinn Yang has been picked as the concert master of the Nuremberg Philharmonic Orchestra, Germany, becoming the first Korean master for the orchestra in its 200-year history.
Yang, 27, was appointed to the position after an audition held last May and she will start working next year for the 2009-2010 season.
``There were times when people would not have the chance to audition just because they were Asians. I think it was not just about the audition, but the performance I gave with the orchestra last year,'' Yang was quoted as saying by Yonhap News.
Boasting a long history and a reputation of being one of the best orchestras in the world, the Nuremberg Philharmonic has rarely appointed foreigners to such posts, but it awarded the post to the Korean, taking her outstanding skills into account.
The winner of various music competitions including the Posselh Music Competition, Yang worked as concert master at the Meiningen Symphony Orchestra in 2005 and 2006. The Meiningen is one of the two great orchestras in Germany, along with the Berlin Philharmonic, and it was the first German orchestra to perform in the United States.
``I always keep in mind that I am Korean inside and out. I will do my best to lead the members with confidence as a Korean master,'' she said, adding that she chose her Korean citizenship over German when she was 16 years old.
Yang released her debut album last April under the title ``Sinn Yang'' with German label Oehms Classic, covering the tunes of Debussy, Piazzolla, Schubert and German modern composer Widman.
``I will do my best as a role model for increasing Korean musicians in Germany,'' Yang said.
Yang is not the first Korean to join a renowned orchestra as a concert master. David Kim is working with the Philadelphia Orchestra and Hong Soo-jin with the Danish National Symphony Orchestra.