Kahchun Wong

Conductor

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Kahchun Wong Long Biography English

“Though this was Wong’s Proms debut, he also demonstrated impressive control of the Albert Hall’s vast spaces and tricky acoustic. Phrasing, shaping, dynamic contrasts, instrumental colouring, ensemble unity: these were almost beyond perfection.”
The Times, August 2025

Chief Conductor: Japan Philharmonic Orchestra (from 2023/24)
Principal Conductor and Artistic Advisor: The Hallé (from 2024/25)

Internationally acclaimed for his electrifying stage presence and thoughtful exploration of Eastern and Western legacies, Singaporean-born Kahchun Wong is Principal Conductor and Artistic Advisor of The Hallé, succeeding Sir Mark Elder from the 2024/25 season. In addition to leading one of the UK’s most prestigious orchestras, he also serves as Chief Conductor of the Japan Philharmonic Orchestra, while maintaining close artistic partnerships with leading ensembles across Europe and the United States.

Wong’s first season with The Hallé has won widespread acclaim in the English press, marked by recordings of Britten’s Prince of the Pagodas and Bruckner’s Symphony No.9 — hailed by Gramophone as a “must-hear for all Brucknerians” (June 2025). Their forthcoming release of Mahler’s Symphony No.2 from Bridgewater Hall follows his BBC Proms debut of the same work, memorably described by The Times as worthy of “six stars.”

Since winning the Mahler Competition in 2016, Wong has appeared with leading orchestras including The Cleveland Orchestra, New York Philharmonic, BBC Symphony, Czech Philharmonic, Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony and Yomiuri Nippon Symphony. In 2025/26, he returns to the London Philharmonic, Seattle Symphony, National Centre for the Performing Arts Orchestra in Beijing, Hong Kong Philharmonic, Osaka Philharmonic and Singapore Symphony, while also making debuts with hr-Sinfonieorchester Frankfurt, San Diego Symphony, Bergen Philharmonic, Melbourne Symphony and the Orquestra Sinfônica do Estado de São Paulo (OSESP). The season further includes a major tour of China with The Hallé, culminating in Mahler’s Symphony No.8 at Suntory Hall to celebrate the Japan Philharmonic’s 70^th anniversary.

Wong is a leading advocate for contemporary composers and cross-cultural dialogue. He has premiered Tan Dun’s Fire Ritual (New York Philharmonic), Toshio Hosokawa’s Prayer (BBC Symphony) and Reena Esmail’s Concerto for Hindustani Violin (Seattle Symphony). He commissioned Narong Prangcharoen’s Reflection of Shadow during his tenure as Principal Guest Conductor of the Dresden Philharmonic, and in his final concert as Chief Conductor of the Nuremberg Symphony he unveiled his orchestration of Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition, reimagined for five Chinese folk instruments and orchestra, performed before 75,000 at the Klassik Open Air and broadcast internationally on 3SAT and BR-Klassik. His second season with The Hallé features a landmark Max Richter co-commission with Anna Lapwood and the world premiere of Unsuk Chin’s newly revised Le Chant des Enfants des Étoiles.

Wong has collaborated with distinguished soloists including Nelson Freire, Thomas Hampson, Barbara Hannigan, Gerhard Oppitz, Christian Tetzlaff, Gautier Capuçon, Daniel Lozakovich, Mao Fujita, Sergei Nakariakov and Vilde Frang.

In December 2019, Wong became the first Singaporean artist awarded the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany, recognising his role in strengthening Singapore – German cultural ties and bringing German music to audiences worldwide.