Hallé Orchestra’s new Principal Conductor blows away The Bridgewater Hall with thunderous debut

Last night marked a huge point in the history of The Hallé Orchestra as their new Principal Conductor, Kahchun Wong, took to the podium for the first time in a performance that truly lived up to the promise of David Butcher’s welcome message, that Kahchun would “set Manchester alight, turn heads and move hearts.”

His thrilling debut performance will be long remembered by those fortunate enough to be at the Bridgewater Hall last night.

Mahler’s Titan by The Hallé Orchestra at The Bridgewater Hall

In a tradition steeped with the legacy of past greats—Sir Charles Hallé, Hamilton Harty, John Barbirolli, and more recently Sir Mark Elder—Kahchun proved that he is more than ready to carry the torch forward.

The mayors of Greater Manchester were present, alongside a packed hall, all of whom witnessed what can only be described as an extremely special night of music.

Benjamin Britten’s The Prince of the Pagodas

The evening began with a superbly curated selection from Benjamin Britten’s The Prince of the Pagodas, a suite carefully reconstructed by Kahchun Wong and the Hallé’s Composer Emeritus, Colin Matthews.

Kahchun ’s connection to Britten’s work, deepened by his research at Britten’s Red House and his study of the original sketches, was clear in his interpretation.

The score unfolded like a magical, narrative tapestry, transporting the audience through the many-faceted movements of Britten’s music: from the regal Variation of Princess Belle Epine to the whimsical Coda with its imaginative sea creatures, and on to the dramatic climax in the Finale – Apotheosis.

It was a bold choice by Kahchun to revive this rarely performed ballet, especially given the historic bar set by Britten himself and Sir John Barbirolli, who performed the piece at The Hallé’s centenary in 1958.

Pressure? What pressure? The orchestra delivered a performance brimming with both delicacy and grandeur.

Britten’s lush textures, exotic harmonies, and sparkling orchestration were illuminated beautifully and it set a high bar of anticipation for Mahler’s Titan.

Mahler’s Titan

After the interval, the much-anticipated Symphony No. 1 by Gustav Mahler, also known as the Titan, saw Wong and The Hallé take on one of the most formidable first symphonies ever written.

With no manuscript in sight, Wong conducted the entire 50-minute piece from memory, demonstrating not only an immense musical understanding but a deep personal connection to Mahler’s complex work.

The first movement, Langsam, Schleppend, began softly, evoking the dawning of nature with an expansive sense of stillness.

The second, Kraftig, bewegt, brought a lively, rustic energy to the fore, with its folk-like themes leaping from the orchestra.

In Feierlich und gemessen, Wong guided the orchestra through the funereal march with poise, teasing out the subtle shifts in dynamics and mood.

But it was the final movement, Stürmisch bewegt, that truly showcased Wong’s command over the vast emotional spectrum of Mahler’s symphony.

At times energetic, tender and explosive!

The orchestra responded with an overwhelming surge of energy, at times tender, at times explosive, in a crescendo of sound that filled the hall.

Kachun’s gestures were dynamic and fluid, embodying the sheer scale and depth of Mahler’s exploration of life and nature.

His experience as a former winner of the Gustav Mahler Conducting Competition was evident in every phrase. The unique understanding he has was clear to all in the audience.

By the time the symphony’s climactic final chords rang out, the audience erupted in rapturous applause, showering Kachun and the orchestra with well-deserved acclaim.

Kachun personally thanked nearly every member of the orchestra – you can see they are all getting on like a house on fire, evident in the beauty and synergy of their performance.

It was the kind of electric ending that reminded everyone in the room that this was not just the start of a new season, but the beginning of a thrilling new chapter for The Hallé under Kahchun Wong’s baton.

As Kachun took his final bow, surrounded by the joyous energy of the musicians and the ecstatic applause of the audience, it was clear that this debut was nothing short of a triumph.

There was a palpable air of excitement in The Bridgewater Hall about the performance, and what’s to come next.

With a palpable chemistry between conductor and orchestra, and a deep reverence for both Britten and Mahler, Wong’s arrival signals the start of something extraordinary for The Hallé.

If this performance was any indication, Kahchun is set to continue The Hallé’s legacy of greatness, but with his own fiery and dynamic imprint.

Manchester is in for something truly special.

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