In his first concert in post as the Hallé's new Principal Conductor, Kahchun Wong conducts this powerful opening to the 2024-25 season.

Today, Mahler’s ‘Titan’ Symphony is celebrated as one of the most daring first symphonies ever written, thanks to its willingness to break with convention and its evocative exploration of the human experience. It is difficult to imagine now that Mahler’s First Symphony was, largely, ill-received at its first few performances, despite undergoing several extensive revisions by the composer. As a previous winner of the Gustav Mahler Conducting Competition, Kahchun Wong has a particularly close affinity to Mahler’s works. Don’t miss this opportunity to experience Kahchun’s unique relationship with the last, great Romantic symphonist.

Benjamin Britten was commissioned to write the music for The Prince of the Pagodas, a ballet that at its 1989 revival saw a then 20-year old Dame Darcey Bussell in her first principal role. Tonight, we hear a masterful selection from the ballet, arranged by Kahchun, in collaboration with Composer Emeritus of the Hallé Colin Matthews.