The musical director who took Qatar’s fledgling orchestra to the BBC Proms has quit, less than 24 hours after its triumphant debut at the festival in London. The shock departure of Han-Na Chang, the star cellist hired a year ago to transform the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra (QPO) into a world-class ensemble, came amid reports of clashes with its management. The Korean musician says she resigned because of “persistent administrative difficulties and irreconcilable artistic differences with the management of the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra”.
She adds: “It is a very sad day for me. Just over a year ago I was honoured 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.” It was Chang’s persistence that ensured the QPO won a place at the Proms, a 120-year-old British event and the biggest date on the classical-music calendar.
It is rare for young orchestras to be invited to play in the Royal Albert Hall in London. Sources say Chang was unhappy that her hard work to secure a spot was not met with the same fanfare in Qatar as it was abroad. The QPO was launched in 2007 by Sheikha Mozah bint Nasser Al Missned.
Chang, 31, a former child prodigy, joined as its musical director in September last year and spoke to The National last week about fine-tuning individual performances until the musicians could hold their own against more established orchestras. She conducted at the Proms on Sunday, a performance described as "outstanding" by the classical-music website Backtrack. She did not conduct when the orchestra performed the same three pieces – by Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninoff and Behzad Ranjbaran – in Rome yesterday. She was replaced by the Russian conductor Dmitrij Kitajenko. The orchestra's executive director Kurt Meister said: "We would like to thank Han-Na Chang for her work with the orchestra and wish her the best for the future."
artslife@thenational.ae
THE LIGHT
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The years Ramadan fell in May
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
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Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
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Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Bayern Munich v Real Madrid
When: April 25, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
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Second leg: May 1, Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
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If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
Paatal Lok season two
Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy
Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong
Rating: 4.5/5
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Dolittle
Director: Stephen Gaghan
Stars: Robert Downey Jr, Michael Sheen
One-and-a-half out of five stars
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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- The UAE government announced a retirement savings plan for private and free zone sector employees in 2023.
- Dubai’s savings retirement scheme for foreign employees working in the emirate’s government and public sector came into effect in 2022.
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- In April 2021, Hayah Insurance unveiled a workplace savings plan to help UAE employees save for their retirement.
- Lunate, an Abu Dhabi-based investment manager, has launched a fund that will allow UAE private companies to offer employees investment returns on end-of-service benefits.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
PRO BASH
Thursday’s fixtures
6pm: Hyderabad Nawabs v Pakhtoon Warriors
10pm: Lahore Sikandars v Pakhtoon Blasters
Teams
Chennai Knights, Lahore Sikandars, Pakhtoon Blasters, Abu Dhabi Stars, Abu Dhabi Dragons, Pakhtoon Warriors and Hyderabad Nawabs.
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All teams consist of 15-player squads that include those contracted in the diamond (3), platinum (2) and gold (2) categories, plus eight free to sign team members.
Tournament rules
The matches are of 25 over-a-side with an 8-over power play in which only two fielders allowed outside the 30-yard circle. Teams play in a single round robin league followed by the semi-finals and final. The league toppers will feature in the semi-final eliminator.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
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MATCH INFO
What: India v Afghanistan, first Test
When: Starts Thursday
Where: M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengalaru
