ABOUT THE ARTISTS |
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Ken-David Masur
Noted for his keen musical intelligence , imaginative programming and unmistakable charisma , Ken-David Masur is in his fifth season as Music Director of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra and Principal Conductor of the Chicago Symphony ’ s Civic Orchestra . Masur ’ s tenure in Milwaukee has been notable for innovative thematic programming , including the Water Festival , which highlighted community partners whose work centers on water conservation and education . He also instituted a multi-season artist residency , and has led highly-acclaimed performances of choral works , including a semi-staged production of Peer Gynt directed by Bill Barclay . This season , he begins a residency with bass-baritone Dashon Burton , and leads the MSO in an inaugural city-wide Bach Festival , celebrating the diverse and universal appeal of J . S . Bach ’ s music . In Chicago , Masur leads the Civic Orchestra in a variety of programs , including an annual Bach Marathon , which this season featured the first ever collaboration with the CSO Chorus .
Last season , Masur made his New York Philharmonic debut in a gala program featuring John Williams and Steven Spielberg . He debuted at the Pacific Music Festival in Sapporo , Japan , and led the Boston Symphony , Yo-Yo Ma , Itzhak Perlman , Branford Marsalis and James Taylor at Tanglewood in a 90th birthday concert for John Williams . The summer of 2023 marked Masur ’ s debuts with the Grant Park Festival and the National Repertory Orchestra ; later this season , he returns to the Baltimore Symphony and to Norway ’ s Kristiansand Symphony .
Masur has conducted distinguished orchestras around the world , including the Los Angeles Philharmonic , the Chicago , Detroit , National and San Francisco Symphonies , l ’ Orchestre National de France , Minnesota Orchestra , Rochester Philharmonic , and Tokyo ’ s Yomiuri Nippon Symphony . He has also made regular appearances at Ravinia , Tanglewood , the Hollywood Bowl , and at international festivals such as Verbier . Previously , Masur was Associate Conductor
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of the Boston Symphony , where he led numerous concerts at Symphony Hall and at Tanglewood . He has served as Principal Guest Conductor of the Munich Symphony , and was also Associate Conductor of the San Diego Symphony and Resident Conductor of the San Antonio Symphony .
Masur is passionate about contemporary music and has conducted and commissioned dozens of new works , many of which have premiered at the Chelsea Music Festival , an annual summer music festival in New York City founded and directed by Masur and his wife , pianist Melinda Lee Masur , which is frequently featured among the New York Times ’ best classical picks of the season .
Zlatomir Fung
The youngest cellist ever to win First Prize at the International Tchaikovsky Competition , Zlatomir Fung is poised to become one of the preeminent cellists of our time . Astounding audiences with his boundless virtuosity and exquisite sensitivity , the 24-year-old has already proven himself a star among the next generation of world-class musicians .
As Artist in Residence with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in the 2023 – 24 season , Fung appears at London ’ s Cadogan Hall and tours the U . K . with the orchestra . In North America , he debuts with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra , Colorado Springs Philharmonic ( performing Anna Clyne ’ s Dance for Cello and Orchestra ), Sarasota Orchestra , and Winnipeg Symphony . He also debuts at the Rhode Island and Sacramento Philharmonics and returns to the Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra . Internationally , he tours Hong Kong , Taiwan , China , and Japan ; he performs the U . K . premiere of Katherine Balch ’ s whisper concerto with the BBC Philharmonic and appears with the Tenerife Symphony Orchestra in the Canary Islands .
Recent concerto highlights include his debuts with the New York Philharmonic , London Philharmonic Orchestra , Orchestre National de Lille , and BBC Philharmonic , as well as Detroit , Seattle , Milwaukee , Utah , Rochester , and Kansas City Symphonies .
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Ken-David Masur
Zlatomir Fung
Fung made his recital debut at Carnegie Hall in 2021 , and was described by Bachtrack as “ one of those rare musicians with a Midas touch : he quickly envelopes every score he plays in an almost palpable golden aura .” Other recent highlights include returns to the Wigmore Hall and appearances at the Verbier , Dresden , Janacek May , and Tsinandali Festivals , Cello Biennale , La Jolla Chamber Music Society , ChamberFest Cleveland , and the Aspen Music Festival .
Alongside demonstrating a mastery of the canon with his impeccable technique , Fung brings exceptional insight into the depths of contemporary repertoire , championing composers such as Unsuk Chin , Katherine Balch , and Anna Clyne . In 2023 , under the baton of Gemma New and with the Dallas Symphony , Fung gave the world premiere of
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Beth Ross Buckley
I-Jung Huang
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