Role

:

Conductor Performer

Birth

:

October 21, 1953 in Paris, France

Genre

:

Concerto

 

 

Orchestral

 

Hugh Wolff is a renowned American conductor and pianist who has made a significant contribution to the world of classical music. Born on July 21, 1953, in Paris, France, to American parents, Wolff grew up in a family of musicians. His father, Kurt Wolff, was a musicologist and publisher, while his mother, Huguette Wolff, was a pianist. Growing up in such an environment, it was only natural for Wolff to develop an interest in music from an early age. Wolff began his musical training at the age of five, learning to play the piano under the guidance of his mother. He later went on to study at the Peabody Conservatory of Music in Baltimore, where he received his Bachelor of Music degree in piano performance. He then went on to pursue his Master of Music degree in conducting at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston. Wolff's career as a conductor began in 1979 when he was appointed as the assistant conductor of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. He quickly rose through the ranks and was soon appointed as the associate conductor of the orchestra. During his time with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Wolff conducted numerous concerts and made several recordings, which helped to establish his reputation as a talented conductor. In 1985, Wolff was appointed as the music director of the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, a position he held until 2000. During his tenure with the orchestra, Wolff led the ensemble on numerous tours and made several recordings, including the critically acclaimed album, "The Brandenburg Concertos." He also collaborated with several renowned soloists, including Yo-Yo Ma, Joshua Bell, and Dawn Upshaw. Wolff's success with the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra led to several other high-profile appointments. In 1992, he was appointed as the principal conductor of the Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra, a position he held until 1997. He also served as the principal conductor of the National Orchestra of Belgium from 1994 to 2002. Throughout his career, Wolff has conducted numerous orchestras around the world, including the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the New York Philharmonic, the London Symphony Orchestra, and the Berlin Philharmonic. He has also collaborated with several renowned soloists, including Itzhak Perlman, Lang Lang, and Emanuel Ax. Wolff's talent as a conductor has been recognized with several awards and honors. In 1997, he was awarded the Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French government in recognition of his contributions to the arts. He has also received several Grammy nominations for his recordings, including a nomination for Best Classical Album in 1990 for his recording of the "Brandenburg Concertos" with the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra. In addition to his work as a conductor, Wolff is also an accomplished pianist. He has performed as a soloist with several orchestras, including the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra. He has also recorded several albums as a pianist, including a recording of the complete piano works of Maurice Ravel. Wolff's dedication to music education has also been a significant part of his career. He has served as a faculty member at several institutions, including the New England Conservatory of Music, the Peabody Conservatory of Music, and the Tanglewood Music Center. He has also conducted numerous youth orchestras, including the National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America.

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