Korean conductor Yoon Han-kyeol achieved a significant accomplishment on Sunday as he secured the esteemed Herbert von Karajan Young Conductors Award in Salzburg, Austria. The 29-year-old emerged victorious after impressing the jury with his conducting prowess at the main auditorium of the Mozarteum Foundation.
During the final stage of the competition, Yoon skillfully guided an hourlong program, which encompassed compositions such as Gioachino Rossini's "Overture from Il barbiere di Siviglia," Mozart's "Ah se in ciel, benigne stelle" aria for soprano and orchestra, K. 538, Shin Dong-hoon's "Of Rats and Men," and Mendelssohn's "Symphony No. 3 A minor op. 56."
The Herbert von Karajan Young Conductors Award, held biennially, is open to conductors aged between 21 and 35. This distinguished accolade is organized by the Salzburg Festival in partnership with the Eliette and Herbert von Karajan Institute and pays homage to the renowned Austrian conductor who led the Berlin Philharmonic from 1956 to 1989.
In recognition of his achievement, Yoon will be granted a monetary prize of 15,000 euros (equivalent to US$16,513) and an extraordinary opportunity to conduct a performance with the ORF Radio Symphony Orchestra Vienna, collaborating with an emerging young soloist as part of the 2024 Salzburg Festival.
Hailing from the southeastern city of Daegu, Yoon pursued studies in conducting, composition, and piano at the University of Music and Performing Arts Munich in Germany. He previously attained distinction by becoming the youngest recipient of the Neeme Jarvi Prize at the 2019 Gstaad Menuhin Festival. Yoon's remarkable conducting skills also led to invitations from the Basel Chamber Orchestra and the Basel and Bern Symphony Orchestras.
Throughout the 2022/23 season, Yoon marked his debut with the Bern Symphony Orchestra and the Busan Philharmonic Orchestra. Furthermore, he gained valuable experience by assisting renowned conductor Simon Rattle during the European tour of the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra.
Reflecting on his achievement, Yoon expressed his longstanding admiration for the competition named after one of history's most influential conductors. He shared his excitement about participating in this prestigious event, which is renowned for its high caliber of candidates and winners.
