Myung-Whun Chung is a South Korean pianist and conductor, celebrated for his lyrical interpretations and dynamic conducting style. Born on January 22, 1953, in Seoul, Chung emerged as a musical prodigy in a family of notable musicians; his sisters Kyung-Wha Chung and Myung-Wha Chung are revered performers on violin and cello, respectively. His initial foray into music saw him as a promising pianist, but it was the baton that would propel him onto the international stage. Myung-Whun Chung studied conducting at the Mannes School of Music and the Juilliard School in New York.

During a distinguished career, he has served as the Principal Conductor of the Saarbrücken Radio Symphony Orchestra and the music director of the Paris Opera. He gained prominence as the Principal Guest Conductor of the Staatskapelle Dresden and later as the Music Director of the Asia Philharmonic Orchestra. Beyond his roles with established European orchestras, Chung has been a pivotal figure in the Korean classical music scene, holding the esteemed position of Principal Conductor and Artistic Director of the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra. His discography features a rich variety of works, including recent releases that explore the depth of classical and romantic repertoires, with a noted affinity for composers like Mahler and Brahms. "Myung-Whun Chung: Mahler Symphonies," "Mahler Symphony No.5," and "Mahler Symphony No.9 In D" attest to his deep engagement with Mahler's complex symphonic structures. Simultaneously, his involvement in recording Unsuk Chin's "Cello Concerto" and "3 Concertos" highlights his support for contemporary composers and his dedication to expanding the orchestral canon. The album "Piano" marks a return to his roots as a concert pianist, demonstrating his versatility and breadth as a musician.

Genres

Classical Performance

Korean Classical Performance

Orchestral Performance

Related Artists

Zubin Mehta

Seiji Ozawa

Claudio Abbado

Daniel Barenboim

Mariss Jansons

Valery Gergiev

Gustavo Dudamel

Esa-Pekka Salonen

Riccardo Muti

Kent Nagano

Pierre Boulez

Bernard Haitink

Latest Release

Chin: Cello Concerto

Unsuk Chin•

Berliner Philharmoniker•

Myung-Whun Chung

Ep - 4 Tracks - Released December 22, 2023