Sound of Charlotte Blog
Get to Know Music Director Kwamé Ryan
November 7, 2024
In anticipation of Kwamé Ryan's inaugural concerts as Music Director on November 22 and 23, we're excited to share a glimpse into his remarkable background and the passion he brings to the Charlotte Symphony. Get to know the man behind the baton and what makes his vision for the Symphony so unique.
Early Inspiration
Kwamé Ryan's fascination with orchestral music began at the age of six, when he first heard John Williams's score for Star Wars at a drive-in theater in his home of Trinidad. "I was just completely absorbed by the sound of the orchestra," he says. "It was almost like I couldn't come back from that musical land far, far away."
From Cello to Double Bass
While Ryan originally hoped to play the cello, he instead took up the double bass. He went on to perform with the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain, where he also honed his conducting skills by assisting with rehearsals.Champion of New Music
Hungarian composer and conductor Peter Eötvös played a pivotal role in shaping Ryan's approach to music, introducing him to contemporary works and instilling in him the importance of championing new voices in composition.
Mary Kouyoumdjian and Scout Tufankjian with Kwamé Ryan and the NY Philharmonic.
Engaging Young Audiences
Ryan is dedicated to introducing younger audiences to classical music. He recently penned an article for The Guardian, highlighting the value of connecting children with orchestral music through accessible genres like movies and video games.Commitment to Music Education
Throughout his career, Ryan has been a staunch advocate for music education around the world. He has returned to the BBC Proms on multiple occasions to lead children's programs and served as director of the French Youth Orchestra and at the University of Trinidad and Tobago, where he advanced youth arts initiatives.
Award-Winning Premiere
In 2021, Kwamé Ryan conducted The Time of Our Singing by Kris Defoort which won the World Premier Award at the International Opera Awards 2022.Roots in Germany
When he's not traveling, Ryan's home base is in Freiburg, Germany, nestled at the edge of the Black Forest, where he enjoys spending time on walks or bike riding.
Join us in welcoming Kwamé Ryan as he steps onto the Charlotte Symphony podium for his inaugural concerts featuring Pēteris Vasks's Musica Dolorosa and Brahms's A German Requiem, November 22 and 23. Plus, don't miss the chance to hear Ryan share his insights into the program at the pre-concert talk, starting at 6:30 pm.... Read more
Announcing Kwamé Ryan as the Charlotte Symphony’s Next Music Director
December 12, 2023
We are thrilled to announce that Kwamé Ryan, hailed as a "dynamic conductor" by The Baltimore Sun, will assume the role of your Charlotte Symphony's 12th Music Director, beginning in 2024-25, ushering in a new era for the Orchestra's 93rd season.
"On my very first visit to Charlotte, I felt instantly connected with the dynamic energy of the city and then profoundly inspired by the wonderful musicians of the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra ... I very much look forward to discovering how this exciting new partnership can enrich the orchestra's legacy and the cultural fabric of Charlotte." ~ Music Director Designate Kwamé Ryan
Born in Canada and raised on the Caribbean island of Trinidad, Kwamé Ryan discovered his passion for conducting at the age of nine. He studied Musicology at Cambridge University and trained in conducting under the guidance of renowned composer/conductor Peter Eötvös. An active guest conductor, Ryan has led orchestras across the United States, UK, and Germany. In the fall of 2023, Ryan conducted the world premiere of Jake Heggie's Intelligence at Houston Grand Opera, and in 2024, he makes his debut with Opera Theatre of St. Louis and the New York Philharmonic.
When not on the podium, Ryan dedicates his time to educational and community engagement initiatives. He has previously served as Musical Director of the National Youth Orchestra of France and as Director of the Academy for the Performing Arts at the University of Trinidad and Tobago. Additionally, Ryan is the host of "8 Minute Idea," a podcast in which he offers insights, tools, and life hacks.
"As a dynamic leader who understands the full potential of the relationship between an orchestra and its community," said President and CEO David Fisk, 'Kwamé will undoubtedly deepen the Charlotte Symphony's service to Charlotte and the region, and, with his passion for music education, bring extraordinary, powerful music-making to a wider audience of all ages."
Ryan's selection was unanimous by the Music Director Search Committee, comprised of Charlotte Symphony musicians, staff, and members of the Board of Directors.
"From the outset, there was an incredible chemistry between Kwamé Ryan and the musicians which created an atmosphere of collaboration and inspiration," said Bassist Jeffrey Ferdon and Principal Violist Benjamin Geller, who served as co-leaders on the Music Director Search Committee. "Kwamé's dynamic performances, as well as his ability to connect with audiences in a meaningful way, truly distinguished him. We are thrilled to welcome this exceptional conductor to Charlotte!"
Looking Back
Ryan made his Charlotte Symphony debut in January 2023 leading the Orchestra in Copland's Symphony No. 3, John Adams's Short Ride in a Fast Machine, and Korngold's Violin Concerto featuring Bella Hristova as soloist. For Music City Review, critic Joseph Morgan described the performance as, "...exciting, optimistic, and almost manically utopian. When it ended, I realized I had been holding my breath!"
Returning in November 2023, Ryan conducted Verdi's Requiem, earning acclaim from WDAV critic Lawrence Toppman who noted, "He's cheerfully animated on the podium, attentive to details, unlikely to linger in places where other conductors might do so ... yet unafraid to use silences to make emotional points. He can hold the orchestra in check carefully or let it roar, and it made a monumental sound Saturday."
Looking Ahead
Kwamé Ryan will return to Charlotte this spring to conduct the Orchestra in two performances of Wang Jie's Symphonic Overture "America, the Beautiful," Brahms's Symphony No. 1, and Tchaikovsky's Variations on a Rococo Theme, April 5-6."On behalf of the Board of Directors, it is with great enthusiasm that we welcome Kwamé Ryan as our next Music Director," said Chair of the Board of Directors Linda McFarland Farthing. "His incredible talent and passion promises an exciting future for our orchestra and the greater community."
... Read more
The Classical Series: Reimagined
January 6, 2021
Your Charlotte Symphony's virtual concerts have already been viewed by thousands of people and received widespread acclaim, with a critic from Classical Voice North Carolina observing that, "the Charlotte Symphony's [virtual concert series] demonstrates the persistence and resilience of the arts and artists and the organization's commitment to its musicians, as well as its listening community."
We're reimagining what it means to serve as your orchestra during the pandemic, and it's been thrilling to find new and innovative ways to bring the music directly to you and your families.
But we're just getting started! The New Year brings four new virtual concerts.
Highlights include:
- The return of Music Director Christopher Warren-Green conducting works by Elgar, Holst, Mozart, and more.
- The continuation of our celebration of Beethoven 250 with performances of his First and Seventh Symphonies.
- Concertmaster Calin Ovidiu Lupanu and Principal Trumpet Alex Wilborn take center stage for concerti by Mendelssohn and Hummel, respectively.
- Contemporary works by Jessie Montgomery and Leonardo Balada, led by Resident Conductor Christopher James Lees.
We're Here to Help
We want you to make sure that everything is working for you once you're settled in to watch our concerts. Please check out this blog post for information on how to access the CSO's virtual concerts. We also have step-by-step instructions for how to stream the concert from a variety of devices, including your computer, phone, or smart TV.If you would prefer to speak to someone, please contact Patron Services at 704.972.2000 or ticketoffice@charlottesymphony.org.
... Read more
What Christopher Warren-Green Loves About CSO On Demand
November 4, 2020
Photo by Joshua Komer, The Charlotte Observer
Christopher Warren-Green sees opportunities as he embarks on an unprecedented season at the helm of the Charlotte SymphonyWhen Music Director Christopher Warren-Green returned to Charlotte in October, it had been more than 7 months since he stood at the podium. "It's like a great big hole in your life," he said about the lengthy break from performing. "It's forced me to slow down and reevaluate what's important."
One thing that's important to Maestro Warren-Green is getting back to work with the musicians of the CSO. "When you have an Orchestra that's played together for 80 years, it becomes like its own instrument a well-oiled machine with its own developed sound. If they go too long without playing together it can cause problems, not to mention that we'd all have nervous breakdowns! At the end of the day, we all live, eat, and breathe music. You wouldn't do this job if that wasn't true."
While concerts this season -- Warren-Green's eleventh with the CSO -- might be a bit different, the Maestro is looking forward to the opportunities that it will bring. "Because of social distancing, we've had to scale down from our full symphony orchestra. What that does, strangely enough, is give us the opportunity to explore repertoire that we wouldn't normally be able to share with our audience.""We are living in a technological revolution, and maybe something good comes out of this."
CSO on Demand -- the Symphony's virtual concert series -- includes two concerts conducted by Maestro Warren-Green this fall, including works by Brahms, Dvořák, Grieg, and Tchaikovsky. He's been pleasantly surprised by the success of virtual concerts during the quarantine. "As a musician watching the BBC Proms from my living room this year, it was almost like the concert was happening just for me. And knowing that there were thousands of other people in their houses feeling the same thing; it really got into my heart. I thought, 'Wow! There is something really special going on.' We are living in a technological revolution, and maybe something good comes out of this."
His advice for you? "Get dressed, go into your living room, have a glass of wine, sit down and make sure no one interrupts you. Do that and watch our virtual concerts, and you'll get something extraordinary from it."... Read more
A message from the Maestro
March 11, 2019This weekend, we present Mahler's First Symphony on Friday and Saturday evening at Belk Theater. Read this letter from the Maestro below to learn why he thinks this concert is a must-see.
By now you know that Gustav Mahler is one of my absolute favorite composers. Not only because of the pure grandeur and genius of his writing, but also because of its complexities.In 2012, I conducted Mahler's Fourth Symphony - my first step in this Mahler journey with your Charlotte Symphony - then Mahler's Fifth Symphony came next in 2015. In 2017, we experienced Mahler's Resurrection Symphony together a program that was met with a rousing standing ovation.
Now you have the chance to hear how it all began to hear how one of the greatest orchestral composers of the 20th century started carving out his symphonic path. Through his imaginative use of symphonic poetry, Mahler's First Symphony the "Titan" changed the genre forever.
Journey with me next as we experience the full range of human emotion out of the inferno and into paradise with your Charlotte Symphony. I've also programmed on the evening Mahler's Blumine, one of the original movements of Mahler's First Symphony, which the composer later removed from the piece.
You've trusted me along this Mahler journey thus far, and I truly do hope you'll join us this weekend at Belk Theater. You'll be in for a real treat.
See you at the Symphony!
Christopher Warren-Green
Music Director ... Read more
| Older Posts » |
Latest Posts
- The Making of Become Ocean
- Mario Bauzá, “The Original Mambo King”
- John Luther Adams: A Composer in Tune with Nature
- Concertmaster Calin Ovidiu Lupanu Talks Mendelssohn’s Double Concerto
- Meet Bart Dunn: Our New Principal Music Librarian
- Get to Know Music Director Kwamé Ryan
- 5 Reasons to Take Your Child to the Symphony
- 5 Fun facts about the Shostakovich & Mendelssohn concert
- A Bold New Look for the Charlotte Symphony
- Get to Know Our New Board Chair, Richard Krumdieck
