Music director Han-Na Chang recently conducted the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra in Dmitri Shostakovich’s Eighth Symphony at the Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC) Theatre.  
This was Chang’s first appearance in Doha since being named music director. Julien Quentin was the guest soloist in the programme, which also featured Carl Maria von Weber’s Overture to Der Freischuetz and Maurice Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G.
When Chang assumes the position of music director in September, she will be 30 years old - the average age of the Philharmonic’s 101 members when it was founded five years ago.
With a career spanning two decades as a cellist, Chang joins the orchestra as she turns decisively to conducting. Recent and future engagements include appearances with the Staatskapelle Dresden, WDR Sinfonieorchester Koeln, Bamberger Symphoniker, Seattle Symphony, Philharmonia Orchestra, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, Orchestra del Teatro di San Carlo di Napoli, the Grosses Orchester Graz and the Singapore, Tokyo and Tivoli symphony orchestras. Recently, she was also named principal guest conductor of the Trondheim Symfoniorkester.
Chang conducted the Qatar Philharmonic for two programmes in 2012, including the world premiere of Houtaf Khoury’s Angel of Light piano concerto. “During my two weeks with the orchestra, I felt so much potential and passion. It will be my job as music director to help build this orchestra reach its full potential - concert by concert,” Chang said.
Ravel’s Piano Concerto captures the essence of Paris in the 1920s with its jazz, blues and dance band influences. Shostakovich described his Eighth Symphony as a “poem of suffering”, capturing the depths of human experience during the Second World War as well as, ultimately, joy. Weber’s Overture to Der Freischuetz has thrilled audiences since its composition two centuries ago.
“Qatar Philharmonic is not just an orchestra for Qatar. With players from 30 countries, it’s an orchestra of the world and for the world, as different parts of this world are interconnected and interwoven more than ever before. We’re fortunate that Qatar is investing in culture. With our unique combination of personal background, diversity and passionate unity in music, it will become one of the most relevant orchestras in the world. This is my vision - to make the Philharmonic such an ensemble artistically,” Chang said.
The Philharmonic’s next concert will be conducted by Rafael Payare, with Hector Berlioz’s Symphonie Fantastique, at Katara – the Cultural Village - on June 15.