Just in: Berlin Philharmonic picks Chinese principal horn
OrchestrasThe orchestra has filled its vacancy with a Chinese musician who was hired only a year ago as principal horn of the Staatskapelle Berlin.
Yun Zeng is just 24 years old.
Here’s what they know about him:
Born in Sichuan in 1999, Yun Zeng has been principal horn of the Staatskapelle Berlin since November 2022. His love of the instrument was inspired by his father, Jie Zeng, principal horn of the Sichuan Symphony Orchestra. He gave his son his first horn lessons. Later Yun Zeng studied under Quan Wen at the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing, and under Bruno Schneider at the Haute École de Musique de Genève. Zeng has appeared as a soloist with numerous orchestras in China, and was successful in several international competitions, winning first prize at the Tchaikovsky Competition in 2019 and second prize at the ARD Music Competition in 2021.
That is literally a miracle!! I’ve followed Berlin Phil since 2013 and many times I’ve thinked that could they ever find successor for Radek Baborak whose last concert as principal was in New Year’s 2009-2010 concert. Despite David Cooper’s trial season in 2017-2018 that’s a painful long time (almost 14 years) without another principal horn. But now waiting new Dohr-Zeng era as lead horn couple!
It’s also nice that this year they have already appointed new principal trombone and new principal trumpet so now there is full brass gang complete – except the “wechselposaune” (2nd/3rd tenor with bass) position which is propably now become vacant?)
Also fun that even today lot of people has asked the same old question that “Is Stefan Dohr leaving or retiring?” etc. Luckily he has 8 years to get Germany’s mandatory retirement age so wishing power couple Dohr-Zeng many succesful years before that.
I was wondering about the trombone too, looks like Leyendecker left and he was still pretty young. I believe he was a minister with a post at a church and that was very important to him, I wonder if he left so he could just teach and have more time to devote to his faith.
Or maybe he just got the Bass Trombone job at Deutsche Oper Berlin?
Ah, didn’t know that, thanks for solving that mystery for me!
He was the bass trb the last week opera production.
“literally”?
It would be a miracle if people would stop misusing this useful word.
German philharmonic must be for Germans…
It’s the Berlin Philharmonic, not the German Philharmonic.
Not surprised you don’t even know how to read though.
Not even during Karajan’s time with James Galway as first flute and Michel Schwalbe concertmaster. The times have changed Sir………….
Nonsense, even the concertmaster is an American
One of them. Current concertmasters are Daishin Kashimoto (Japan, since 2009), Noah Bendix Bagley (US, since 2014) and Vineta Sereika-Völkner (Letland, since 2023). Many BP concertmasters were not German, e.g Michael Schwalbe (Poland, 1957-1985), Daniel Stabrawa (Poland, 1986-2020), Guy Braunstein (Israel, 2000-2013)
Well shoot doggy!!! Didn’t the Simpson’s predict that in the 17th season?
Wot?
Truly a well deserved win. Congratulations.
Nationality, that’s what SlippedDisc seems to be obsessing with these days. I’m in awe.
Fair enough, but how many Asian principal brass players are there in any major European or US orchestra? That’s definitely new. The BPO horn section has changed almost completely in the last years. It will be interesting to see (hear) how they fit together, in terms of sound.
Tuba in Cleveland.
What was wrong about that? We all come from somewhere and in this case the new principal comes from China.
In modern world of classical music the nationality doesn’t mean anything (only musical and also social / team work scills means) but still it’s also interesting that what kind of playing school / tradition by instrument X is in the new player’s home country
He’ll have to acquire an Alexander horn …
Having been playing in the Staatskapelle Berlin for the last year, he probably already owns one.
They are incredibly lucky to have him! He is a generational talent- what he is capable of on the horn is leeeagues above the demand. He plays like he’s having the time of his life- true joy! Perhaps, we can all learn from that.
I’m not clear as to what happened to Stefan Dohr?
The Berlin Philharmonic has two principals [at least] for every section. Stefan will continue to be the co-principal, I hope, until his mandatory retirement [known as “equal injustice for all”] in 8 years. He too is, justifiably, a living legend. The horns of the BPO are a truly great section.
The Philharmoniker has two principal horns, I believe
They do now…
The domination of the world by China is now complete…