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Musician. Conductor.
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His gestures, with their imperious rigor when necessary, alternates with movements of real sensitivity that seek to link the musical phrases together with flexibility (but also determination), as well as the musicians between them.

Jean Landras - bachtrack.com 2021

JAMES S.
KAHANE

James S. Kahane is the Music Director of the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra, Principal Conductor of the Helsinki Chamber Orchestra and Principal Conductor of the Orchestre de Chambre de la Drôme. Commended for his ability to “weave the musical phrases together with flexibility and determination, as well as the musicians between them.” (Bachtrack) and to “take the orchestra to its extremes” (Keskisuomalainen), Kahane has conducted first-rate orchestras around the world such as the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra or the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra. His debut album with the Helsinki Chamber Orchestra, released by Resonus Classics, has been lauded as a “colossal album that will inspire for generations to come” (The Flute View).

​With a wealth of experience in both the symphonic and operatic worlds, Kahane conducted productions of operas such as Bizet’s The Tragedy of Carmen, Britten’s The Rape of Lucretia and Kokkonen’s The Last Temptaions among others, as well as world premiered of operas such as Kon’s Bas Sheve or Tuurna’s Years of Silence. He has been a regular guest conductor at the Finnish Chamber Opera and was also a conductor at the Helsinki Contemporary Opera Festival on several occasions. During the Spring 2024, Kahane was the Assistant Conductor to Hannu Lintu at the Bayerische Staatsoper for their production of Pelléas et Mélisande by Debussy, for which he was glowingly and publicly credited by Lintu.

Recent years have seen Kahane guest conducting internationally, appearing with orchestras such as the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, the Orchestre Symphonique de Mulhouse, the Miroirs Étendus Ensemble, the Jyväskylä Sinfonia, the St. Michel Strings and the Pori Sinfonietta. He was Susanna Mälkki’s Assistant Conductor at the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra for their 2017/2018 season, where he worked at her side and with the orchestra’s guest conductors, aged only 21 at the time. In 2018, Kristjan Järvi invited him to conduct the Baltic Academies Orchestra in Berlin for their first international tour, and the following year, Kahane was offered a conducting fellowship at the Atlantic Music Festival in the United States, where he worked during the summer of 2019.

HAMILTON PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA: KAHANE CONDUCTS GRIEG & SIBELIUS

SEPTEMBER 21st 2024

"Join us as the HPO opens a new season in grand style, celebrating 140 years in the city! JUNO Award-winner Philip Chiu will sweep you up in the thunderous passion of Grieg’s Piano Concerto. Music Director, James Kahane then leads the orchestra in this season’s HPO “Musicians’ Choice”: Sibelius’ Second Symphony, a musical embodiment of hope and the resilience of the human spirit. Plus, a fresh commission by HPO Composer-in-Residence Abigail Richardson-Schulte!"

The Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra (HPO) was founded in 1884 as The Hamilton Orchestral Society and grew to become one of Canada’s major professional orchestras. Today, the HPO is a leader in Hamilton’s robust arts community where it serves the needs of the community through enriching orchestral experiences. This includes professional performances on the mainstage at FirstOntario Concert Hall (formerly Hamilton Place), intimate chamber music experiences throughout the city, family programs, performances at local festivals and events, and performances for students in schools, among others.

Program

Abigail Richardson-Schulte: Team Orchestra

Edward Grieg: Piano Concerto

Jean Sibelius: Symphony No. 2

Philip Chiu, oboe

James Kahane, conductor

The Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra


21.9.2024, FirstOntario Concert Hall, Hamilton, Canada.

JAMES S. KAHANE HAS BEEN NAMED AS THE NEXT MUSIC DIRECTOR OF THE HAMILTON PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA

16.5.2024

James Kahane has been named as the next Music Director of Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra. His appointment will begin in September 2024 at the start of the HPO’s 2024-2025 season. 

"The Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra is thrilled to announce that rising star James S. Kahane will be the next Music Director of the Orchestra. The French-born conductor is currently Principal Conductor of the Helsinki Chamber Orchestra, Principal Conductor of the Orchestre de Chambre de la Drôme, and Conductor of the Polytech Orchestra in Finland. He will assume his new role in September 2024 at the start of the 2024-2025 Season.   

“With his extraordinary musical talent, profound commitment to artistic excellence, keen interest in music education and the vital role that the HPO has played for 140 years in shaping our region’s cultural landscape, James Kahane embodies the vision and values of the HPO. In him, we have found a wonderful conductor, musician and collaborative leader who can inspire our musicians and delight our audiences,” said Heather Beale, Chair, HPO Board of Directors."

For 140 years, the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra has presented orchestral music and education programs with a mission to enrich the wellbeing of the greater Hamilton region. The HPO presents dynamic orchestral performances ranging from standard classical repertoire to popular music and world premieres by living composers. As one of Canada’s leading professional orchestras, the HPO has proudly contributed to the shaping of Hamilton’s cultural landscape. 

"James clearly has a natural talent for the art of conducting [...]. He is a very intelligent and passionate musician who shows great promise in his future as a conductor"

Gstaad, Switzerland

"I find [James] to be a profound and touching conductor. His Beethoven [Symphony No. 2] sounded vibrant and dynamic and I have to say I was quite impressed."

Lucerne, Switzerland

"Mr. Kahane is a sensitive and profound musician respected by his fellow students. He knows what he wants and is able to communicate this to the orchestra. This will take him far."

Helsinki, Finland

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Principal Conductor
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