Mahler Chamber Orchestra Appoints New Artistic Partner

Pianist Yuja Wang has joined the ensemble and will lead various projects and concerts as a soloist

Founded in 1997, the Mahler Chamber Orchestra (MCO) comprises 45 members from across 20 different countries. Currently celebrating its 25th season, the MCO welcomes pianist Yuja Wang as its newest artistic partner. Wang will be leading the ensemble from the piano in many featured performances.

To mark the appointment, Wang and the MCO will embark on the inaugural tour in January 2024 with a program of works by Stravinsky, Janáček, and Gershwin. Future tour plans include Europe, North America, and Asia.

Throughout their partnership, performances will also explore and focus on lesser-known, and often overlooked, works by major 20th-century composers.

Wang was born into a musical family in Beijing and began piano studies from an early age before receiving advanced training in Canada and at the Curtis Institute of Music with Gary Graffman. Since then, she has performed globally with the world’s most venerated conductors, musicians, and ensembles.

Her career skyrocketed in 2007 after she stepped in for Martha Argerich as a soloist with the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Two years later, Wang signed an exclusive contract with the Deutsche Grammophon label.

Recent season highlights include an international recital tour, where she performed in prestigious venues across North America and Europe, with music by Beethoven, Ligeti, Schoenberg, and more. Earlier this year, she played all five of Rachmaninoff’s works for piano and orchestra at Carnegie Hall for one show only to great acclaim. Her accolades include Musical America’s 2017 Artist of the Year and a 2021 Opus Klassik Award.

“We are thrilled to welcome Yuja Wang to the MCO family,” said MCO's managing director, Michael Adick. “Her passion for music and her exceptional talent will undoubtedly inspire our musicians and audiences alike. We are excited to see what kind of magic Yuja and the MCO will create together.”

“I am honored and excited,” Wang added. “The MCO is known for its innovative programming, distinctive sound and vibrant performances. I am happy to continue my exploration of play-conducting with the wonderful musicians of the Mahler Chamber Orchestra, which I hope will create some unforgettable musical experiences.”