Flutist Yu Chaeyeon Appointed Permanent Principal of Hamburg Philharmonic

Flutist Yu Chaeyeon (24), a former Kumho Young Artist, has been appointed as the permanent principal flute of the Hamburg Philharmonic Orchestra, Kumho Cultural Foundation announced on the 27th.

Yu Chaeyeon joined the Hamburg Philharmonic Orchestra as principal flute in April last year. After a one-year probation period, she was finally appointed as the permanent principal flute through a vote by all orchestra members.

The Hamburg Philharmonic Orchestra, founded in 1828, is a prestigious orchestra with the longest history in Hamburg. It has regularly collaborated with composers such as Clara Wieck Schumann, Franz Liszt, and Johannes Brahms.

Flutist Yu Chaeyeon [Photo by Kumho Cultural Foundation]

As one of the resident ensembles of the Hamburg Elbphilharmonie (NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra, Hamburg Symphony, Hamburg Philharmonic Orchestra, Ensemble Resonanz), it performs over 35 symphonic and chamber music concerts annually, as well as providing music for more than 250 opera and ballet performances each year at the Staatsoper Hamburg (Hamburg State Opera).

Since 2015, Kent Nagano has led the orchestra as chief conductor, and from August, Israeli conductor Omer Meir Wellber is scheduled to take over the leadership.

Currently, Korean members include Daniel Cho (concertmaster), Kumho Young Talent alumni Choi Jungyun (second violin), Kumho Young Talent alumni Lee Myeongeun (second violin), Lee Sangyun (associate principal viola), Kumho Young Artist alumni Kim Minju (principal bassoon), and Kumho Young Artist alumni Lee Hyunjun (principal trumpet).

Yu Chaeyeon debuted in 2018 with the Kumho Young Artist Concert. In 2019, she won the Prague Spring International Music Competition as the youngest winner at the time and took first place in the woodwind category at the Vienna New Year Music Concert International Competition. After completing the Korea National Institute for the Gifted in Arts, she entered Seoul Arts High School and was admitted early to Korea National University of Arts, graduating in 2022 while receiving the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Award.