Maestro move: South Korea’s loss is Japan’s gain
mainThere is no love lost between Japan and South Korea.
Today, the Korean conductor Myung Whun Chung, hounded out of the Seoul Philharmonic by political enemies, was named music director of the Tokyo Philharmonic.
Tokyo statement:
Maestro Myung-Whun Chung Named TPO Honorary Music Director
Now in his 16th year of a very close and fruitful working relationship with Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra, Maestro Myung Whun Chung has long been family. From today, September 1, 2016, we are honored and overjoyed to plan future seasons of great music as a family with Maestro Myung Whun Chung in the official role of Honorary Music Director.
To our audiences in Japan, and in many venues in Asia where we have toured with Maestro Chung, we are also especially grateful to you for making this deepening relationship possible through your enthusiasm and passion for our music. From the bottom of our hearts, and on behalf of the TPO Honorary Music Director, Maestro Myung-Whun Chung, we thank you!
I doubt if an Honorary Music Director position means he will conduct the Tokyo Phil much more than he already does. That orchestra now has a Resident Conductor, Special Guest Conductor – Mikhail Pletnev, Principal Guest Conductor – Andrea Barrisoni, and three Conductors Laureate – Tadaaki Otaka, Kazushi Ono and Dan Ettinger.
At least it’s a vote of confidence.
“Today, the Korean conductor Myung Whun Chung, hounded out of the Seoul Philharmonic by political enemies, was named music director of the Tokyo Philharmonic.”
No, he wasn’t. He was named honorary music director. What’s the difference? I don’t know, but I’m pretty sure there is one! An informative blog post could have educated me. This one doesn’t even link to a source.
Amateur hour, folks.
I like him!
Great guy!