Yuja Wang comes out as a couple
OrchestrasThe Chinese-American pianist has posted first public photos with her new partner, conductor Klaus Mäkelä.
Here’s another with a mutual pal.
You learned about it here first.
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If this relationship sticks, I guess US orchestras can stop thinking about Mäkelä as a potential MD for a couple of decades, even if he develops well, because: (1) scheduling won’t work (2) their big salaries look less attractive now. Is Yuja going to move to Europe? Wish them lots of happiness.
I don’t really understand your comment. Couples like this move around the world independently, with residences in several places, and get together when their respective schedules allow. I really don’t think this will have any impact on their career trajectories.
It’s not doable at all if they are going to have kids, and even if they don’t two jobs on different continents would be mean staying apart most of the year. Of course this will have impact on their career choices.
Um….are you their guardian? Better still, God? Who’s talking about kids? What career choices? These are all personal matters that couples handle in their own ways. You know absolutely nothing on this matter. Nothing, got it? Let humility be your new year’s resolution.
What is this, jet set conductors are desirable now? I thought it perfectly reasonable to assume they would want to settle in Europe, and therefore American orchestras should be realistic. It’s not like the critics there even like him. Have you read/watched Hurwitz, Kosman, and Ross? Ross mentioned in disdain that he is “being eyed by several American orchestras”. Well, Ross will be happy to know that having to align two sets of touring schedules would leave very little room for Mäkelä to take a job in the US.
Maybe he gives her good D. I’m not sure what Hurwitz will make of that.
Fatuous, disgusting comment. You must be one of the people that complains about her clothes every time she performs.
Absolutely agree with David. Why do people make up stories about celebrities they don’t know and know little or nothing about? Really stupid. Zero credibility.
They should have 7 children named DOminique Réginald Michel Fanny Solène Lara Et Simone
Are you as ignorant as your is?
This is inaccurate reporting. Klaus and Yuja have a close platonic relationship based on mutual admiration for each other’s music-making. In a recent interview for a Dutch publication, Klaus said that he was not married and declared that ‘the rest is private’. There is no evidence that the couple are romantically linked.
You are funny.
How would you know one way or the other about their relationship if you’re basing your view on a press interview. As if people tell journalists what going on in their intimate lives……
As if any of the latter were our business.
What you should be questioning is Mr Lebrecht’s source of information for this headline. The photo was taken in the context of a group photo of Klaus and some of his many other musical friends and colleagues having a New Year party following his performances of Beethoven’s 9th at the Konzerthaus. Klaus has also been photographed in affectionate poses with Gautier Capucon, Sol Gabetta and Dominic Seldis during the last year. Does that signify he has a romantic association with any of them? In a YouTube interview with Thomas Hampson a bout 18th months ago, there was an allusion to Klaus having a partner in his home city of Helsinki, but nothing more. Why not let these young people have a private life if their busy schedules permit, and just appreciate their music making instead of making stupid journalistic assumptions and stirring up artificial argument among readers? Still, that’s the media for you. I should know, I used to work in it!
Do stop sniping. The photo was posted by Yuja on her socials. she wants you to see it.
That doesn’t mean she’s in a relationship with him though. Does anyone actually know?
Norm, you are as though you have never spoken to woman before.
Incorrect! They have confirmed they are in a relationship!
I met them dining in a Korean restaurant in London. They did behave like a couple.
This is very interesting. Klaus is/was known to be in a committed relationship with a male cellist, and I recall Yuja saying something like “I don’t have a boy friend. I like girls.” Where does all this speculation lead. Nowhere. Leave these two alone. They have more important things to do than answer questions about their personal lives.
Much, much more important things.
Your claim is utterly false. Mäkelä was in relationship with cellist Seija Rummukainen. She is a woman. They lived together quite a long time.
Not Seija but Senja Rummukainen.
GR, Your memory of what Yuja said (during an interview with Zsolt Bognar) is accurate, except that she burst out laughing, immediately afterwards. I don’t think she was being serious.
And nine years her junior…You go girl!
Except to the maternity ward!!
That’s interesting. I though she was non binary
That doesn’t mean someone can’t be in a relationship with someone else.
I didn’t think it was possible to be more irritated by Makela
Jealous much?
Many congratulations and wish you every happiness.
I’m laughing at the 5 dislikes to your comment! I’m sad that some people are so bitter in this world…
Congratulations! What a pairing. Can’t wait to hear what sweet music by those in love is made by this couple.
Is Yuja Chinese-American now?
She started study at Curtis in Chicago when she was 15 twenty-one years ago.
Curtis is in Philadelphia. As far as I know, Chicago has nothing like it. Then again, no place else has anything like the Chicago Symphony.
Who cares.
They both seem asexual. That may be a bond.
How did this comment even pass moderation?
It’s definitely a better pairing than Mr and Mrs Netrebko
Makela is brilliant
Mr. Netrebko is just awful. I switched off the dire Manon Lescaut with those two on a flight years ago. I see it is still there. The only complete opera recording. Seriously.
She’ll need to keep toning her ass in the gym.
Yuja Wang is a leading world famous musician, probably the best in her field. Her lovely awesome body shape is not relevant to comment in relation to that fact.
If you follow her on facebook, she often makes her ass quite prominent in concert photos. Therefore a comment about keeping it toned, though superfluous, is relevant.
Uhmm, ok? What about your’s?
She has freely said in several different interviews that she “likes girls.” Does that make her lesbian?
Also, has either one of them come right out and made their true sexual relationship public? I think not, or it would be quoted/noted with this post.
She would say and do anything to keep the attention on herself so I wouldn’t put much thought what comes out of her mouth half of the time.
And is it any of our business?
since she voluntarily announced “I like girls,” she made it everyone’s business.
Meanwhile, the claim that this photo ‘proves’ she is in a sexual relationship with Klaus is pure lie if unsubstantiated by the people. Yuja has the right to not comment, of course.
John, you misunderstood that wonderful interview where it was Yuja’s answer to “What would surprise people?”. Such is her splendid sense of humor.
To clarify, in answer to “What would surprise people?”, Yuja answered “I have no boyfriend?” and “I like girls?” —- both questions, not answers. She was joking! Such is Yuja’s sense of humor. But unfortunately, I think many people will have misunderstood.
Regardless of the accuracy the NHS should require a kitsch warning before reading.
Her playing is as good as thousands of highly capable pianists. Can’t stand her marketing.
Things come so easy for her that they are not even worth hearing: such as programming all 4 Rachmaninoff Concertos and Paganini Rhapsody. Bright idea: how about not giving a handful of pianists ALL the available contracts to fulfill. Otherwise, we will never exit these musical dark ages. From the Russian hunchback to this fine piece of Chinese merchandise.
Your wit (“the Russian hunchback”) leaves one breathless from admiration.
“Her playing is as good as thousands of highly capable pianists” – bears repeating. She’s a creation of the marketing department.
There is some truth to your comments. I remember watching a masterclass with Brendel and Kit (forgotten last name) and he said the same thing; if things come to easily musicians lose sight of the meaning behind and within the music. With Wang a lot of it is glib. This is my opinion as a life-long music-lover and failed pianist myself. I’m in awe, yes, but always feel unsatisfied after her performances these days. But good luck to her anyway.
You basically answered your own question. If there’re thousands of people in the industry just as good as each other, then of course the handful who sell tickets get the contract. If you don’t buy the hype of Russian hunchback or Chinese merchandise, then you should be grateful that you could pay much less to listen to who’s just as capable and maybe you like more
The hype of Russian hunchback????
He’s a phenomenal musician. And he sells tickets.
If I knew you, I’d challenge you to a duel.
He’s a phenomenal Finnish musician.
Does this mean she’ll be free to wear a different wardrobe?
Very popular in Finland:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wife-carrying
Maybe something for the happy couple???!!!
What has this to do with anyone other than the two people concerned? Nothing!
Insert tool here > {.} for quick American citizenship.
Surely nobody wants that these days!!!! A national “mad-hatters tea party”.
He is significantly prettier than she. Funny.
Beauty is In the Eye of the Beholder
Is she marry K.Mäkelä
???
Marriage? Cohabitation? Or performing together regularly amidst the glibetrotting? Every note recorded, of course. The main thing is that the music they make is brilliant and worth listening to.
I recommend the comments to this post for psychology university professors as great illustrating material for the concept of ‘mental projections’.
Damn most people must live miserable and boring lives.
TAMINO
Hey there!
PAPAGENO
What’s that?
TAMINO
Tell me, my cheerful friend, who you are.
PAPAGENO
Who I am? Silly question! A man like you. – And who are you?
TAMINO
I am a Prince.
PAPAGENO
That’s all above my head. You’ll have to explain yourself more clearly if I’m to understand!
Maybe, maybe not.
Some of the comments under these articles can be so bitter and unhealthy.
I feel that if there was an article saying that a famous, esteemed musician died that half the comments would say “good riddance,” and the other half would criticize a particular piece they played and then express half-hearted condolences.
I can’t imagine going through life as caustic and acrimonious as some of the people I’ve seen in this section and many more.
Hopefully we will all be able to follow their every move on Instagram and social media:
every breakfast, lunch, dinner
and also snacks… and their eventual children’s lives [including labor, birthing etc.]… just can’t get enough of this circus act! Where can I buy Yuja merch? Please advise! Thanks in advance!
Sad news if at all true. Klaus Mäkelä is known to have had a long relationship with the very talented and extremely beautiful blond cellist Senja Rummukainen, finalist of the Tchaikowsky competition. Both of them very much loved in Finland. But of course, not all good things are forever.
Just take a look at his Facebook profile.
I meant to say “at her Facebook profile”!
Bitter unfulfilled people can only judge but talented hardworking people will practice and play and have no time for this nonsense. Who would you rather be?
Sounds complicated. Two careers heading in different directions. I think the pianist phenom would do well to get a vacuum cleaner styled mate. One she could flip off a switch and store in closet when not in use.
First of all Happy Birthday Yuja and of course congratulations for wining the Grammy .
Good for them both! I’m glad she likes men. Surely they deserve some personal time and, hopefully, love, when they’re able to be together, considering how hard they work and how much beauty and pleasure they bring to us all.
Why would it matter if she likes men? Gross.
I spent $200 on Yuja’s Fan’s Only site but I can’t say the money was “blown.” Throatjam in C-sharp minor.