Conductor Chang Han-na (left) and her Latvian mentor and cellist Mischa Maisky (middle) on Sept. 15 answer questions at a news conference on their upcoming joint concert "Han-Na Chang and Mischa Maisky with Ditto Orchestra" at Cosmos Art Hall in Seoul's Seocho-gu District.

By Xu Aiying
Photos = Xu Aiying

Han-na Chang (Chang Han-na), a former cello prodigy turned conductor, will hold a concert in Korea with her Latvian mentor and cellist Mischa Maisky for the first time in 11 years.

Both musicians held a news conference on Sept. 15 on their upcoming performance "Han-Na Chang and Mischa Maisky with Ditto Orchestra" at Cosmos Art Hall in Seoul's Seocho-gu District and discussed their ties to each other and expectations of their collaboration.

"From Maisky, who taught me about the life of a musician, to Dvorak, whose music I performed at the Rostropovich International Cello Competition, which marked the beginning of my career as a cellist, and Beethoven, who ignited my dream of becoming a conductor. This performance is one in which all three people who were turning points in my life gather," Chang said.

"As a conductor, I've collaborated abroad with Maisky several times so I've grown accustomed to interpretations of his music and free performances," she added. "If any of you here came to our joint concert 11 years ago, you'll see a new collaboration this time."

Chang and Maisky met in 1992 when the latter performed in Korea. The Latvian watched a video of Chang, who was age 9 at the time, performing and sent her a letter inviting her to his master class.

Under his tutelage, Chang made a brilliant debut and earned global fame by winning the 1994 Rostropovich International Cello Competition. 

Conductor Chang Han-na (left) and her Latvian cello mentor Mischa Maisky on Sept. 15 pose for a photo at a news conference held at Cosmos Art Hall in Seoul's Seocho-gu District for their joint concert "Han-Na Chang and Mischa Maisky with Ditto Orchestra."

Chang gained international stardom as a cello prodigy but has recently made a name for herself as one of the world's top female conductors. In 2007, she gave up the cello for the baton and has since led internationally renowned orchestras such as the Philharmonia Orchestra of the UK, Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra of the Netherlands, Cologne Philharmonic Orchestra of Germany and Vienna Symphony of Austria.

Since last year, she has served as the principal guest conductor of the Hamburg Symphony Orchestra in Hamburg, Germany.

Maisky is highly fond of Chang, calling her his "only" pupil. He is said to have been the saddest when Chang gave up the cello but respected her more after seeing her conduct.

"Conductor Chang Han-na has a variety of qualities such as passion for music, intuition, intelligence and energy," he said. "She is a rare and wonderful conductor who can please the ears and eyes of the audience and also move their hearts."

"I support and root for conductor Chang Han-na but if she takes up the cello again, I'd like to record with her a cello duet of Schubert's string quintet."

This was a reunion of not just a mentor with his pupil but also a virtuoso with a fellow virtuoso. Chang and Maisky will play Dvorak's cello concerto, Beethoven's Symphony No. 5 and Dvorak's Symphony No. 9. at their concert.

The event will be held at Daejeon Arts Center on Sept. 19, Gyeongju Arts Center on Sept. 21 and Seoul Arts Center from Sept. 23-24.

xuaiy@korea.kr