Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra’s director Han-Na Chang quit 24 hours after their debut at BBC Proms.
The cellist Chang was hired was a year ago to reinvent the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra (QPO) into a world-class ensemble. Rumors say her departure is due to difficulties within the structure of QPO.
“Persistent administrative difficulties and irreconcilable artistic differences with the management of the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra," said Chang on her leaving. The QPO began in 2007 under Sheikha Mozah bint Nasser Al Missned.
“It is a very sad day for me,” she adds. “Just over a year ago I was honored to take up this position. At that time I made clear my belief that the QPO could become an international ensemble of excellence and I have had the privilege of seeing that belief vindicated through the skill, hard work and commitment of this wonderful group of players, culminating in the orchestra’s debut at the Proms.”
Although it is rare for young orchestras to be invited to play in the Royal Albert Hall, Chang’s persistence brought the QPO to London. Sources say she was especially unhappy to see that her hard work to secure a spot at the proms did not carry the same importance in Qatar as it did elsewhere.
“We would like to thank Han-Na Chang for her work with the orchestra and wish her the best for the future,”said orchestra executive director Kurt Meister.
Chang joined the QPO last September as the musical director. Chang conducted at the Proms but did not in Rome. The orchestra performed Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninoff and Behzad Ranjbaran in Rome under the Russian conductor Dmitrij Kitajenko.
Watch below as the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra perform at the Katara Opera House in Doha Qatar under the direction of Han-Na Chang.
