Hornist Yoo Haeri Selected as Principal of the West German Radio Symphony Orchestra in Cologne

Hornist Yoo Haeri

[Asia Economy Reporter Donghyun Choi] The Kumho Cultural Foundation announced on the 24th that horn player Yoo Haeri (26), a former Kumho Rising Star, has been selected as the principal horn of the WDR Symphony Orchestra Cologne.

Yoo Haeri passed the principal selection audition held on the 18th (local time) and is scheduled to join and start performing with the WDR Symphony Orchestra Cologne from the summer of 2022. After a one-year probationary period, the final appointment will be decided through a vote by the orchestra members.

The WDR Symphony Orchestra Cologne is a prestigious German orchestra founded in 1947, after World War II. It premiered works by famous 20th-century composers such as Igor Stravinsky, Luciano Berio, Karlheinz Stockhausen, Gerd K?hr, and Krzysztof Penderecki. It has especially maintained its reputation as an outstanding orchestra for contemporary music. Christoph von Dohn?nyi, Semyon Bychkov, and Jukka-Pekka Saraste have served as its past conductors. Since 2019, Christian M?celaru has been the principal conductor, presenting challenging and innovative programs. Currently, Korean members include Lee Jikmu (second violin) and Hwang Ae-jin (second violin).

The audition to select the principal horn of the WDR Symphony Orchestra Cologne was held on the 17th and 18th, with preliminary and final rounds respectively. Yoo Haeri participated in the final audition by invitation from the orchestra and was selected as the final successful candidate through a vote by all orchestra members. Yoo said, “I am very honored and happy to have passed the audition and to be able to perform with such a wonderful orchestra. I will do my best to show great performances in the future.”

Horn player Yoo Haeri was officially introduced to the domestic stage as a Kumho Rising Star in 2021. In 2019, she became the first Korean brass player to win a prize at the Tchaikovsky International Competition, and in 2020, she swept first place, the audience award, the special prize for the designated competition piece, and the best interpretation award for Mozart’s works at the Salzburg Mozart Competition, continuously delivering good news. Yoo, who also shines in the chamber music field, participated as a member of the Pacific Quintet in the woodwind quintet category at the 2019 Carl Nielsen International Chamber Music Competition and won second place.