IN CONVERSATION WITH
FRANCESCO LECCE-CHONG
Francesco Lecce-Chong Credit: IMG Artists
Last October when wildfires were raging parts of Sonoma and Napa counties in the heart of California’s wine country, Santa Rosa Symphony, now in its 90th season, was wrapping up a two-year search for a new conductor. Francesco Lecce-Chong was scheduled to give his final audition-performance with the orchestra during that time, but Mother Nature got in the way as flames approached the town.
However, the orchestra’s search committee was so captivated by his previous collaboration with the group, he was chosen among many candidates to become Music Director – which begins this Fall. Only 30 years old, Lecce-Chong is a rising star with an awesome list of achievements. He currently holds posts as Music Director of the Eugene Symphony and Associate Conductor of the Pittsburgh Symphony, a position he will relinquish this summer.
His impressive experience also included Associate Conductor of the Milwaukee Symphony, Principal Conductor of the Pittsburgh Youth Symphony Orchestra and he has appeared with such groups as the Toronto Symphony, National Symphony, St. Louis Symphony and Hong Kong Philharmonic. He also served a staff conductor at Santa Fe Opera and was signed last year by IMG Artists.
Lecce-Chong was born in San Francisco, raised in Boulder, Colorado and studied piano and orchestral conducting at the Mannes College of Music and the Curtis Institute of Music. Interestingly, two former conductors of the Santa Rosa Symphony also made their mark as concert pianists – namely Corrick Brown and Jeffrey Kahane. Recently, Lecce-Chong made his debut with the Colorado Symphony by filling in for the group’s ailing conductor. In fact, in 2004 he performed Beethoven’s piano concerto, Op. 73, the so-called Emperor, with the same orchestra.
Francesco Lecce-Chong talks with Editor Leonne Lewis about musical life in Santa Rosa, Eugene and beyond.
Do you find being an accomplished pianist has also helped develop the aesthetic aspects of your conducting?
Most certainly. One of the difficulties of conducting is having to communicate your musical ideas without making any sounds yourself. Playing piano keeps me musically sharp and making sure that my musical ideas – phrasing, dynamics and articulations – are being clearly communicated. However, I love playing piano the most as part of a chamber group or when coaching opera singers.
You conduct a varied repertoire that includes traditional, contemporary and modern works. Do you plan on conducting and programming more works by composers of our time?
Absolutely. Some of the most powerful music in history is being composed today and I can’t wait to bring that music to Santa Rosa. I’m especially interested in 21st century American music which includes so many fantastic works by John Adams and Jennifer Higdon, as well as a host of younger composers. In addition, the Santa Rosa Symphony has a great history of commissioning new works and I look forward to working together to bring exciting new music and composers to Santa Rosa.
Could you comment on the cultural scene in Eugene and Santa Rosa and community interest in classical music?
I’m fortunate that my first music directorship is in Eugene, where the enthusiasm and engagement with the arts and the symphony in particular is sensational. And now, I think I’m even more fortunate to be joining another community that has the same commitment. One only needs to look at the breathtakingly beautiful Green Music Center to appreciate the support and excitement for the performing arts in Santa Rosa. The extensive music education programs run by the symphony also show a community that understands how an orchestra’s impact goes far outside the concert hall.
What would you like to achieve in the coming years with regard to your career?
My goal is to constantly work to become a better music director and advocate for orchestras. I’ve learned so much in the past season in Eugene from the incredible musicians, administrators and community leaders around me. The opportunity to further grow in Santa Rosa and continue to build a strong community around this fantastic orchestra is a dream come true for me.
How would you like to personalize your musical collaboration with the Santa Rosa Symphony in terms of producing a certain sound and identity?
It will take time for the orchestra and I to develop an approach to music- making. For me, one of the joys of conducting is working with the different personalities and musical styles in an orchestra to create a unified ensemble. It also means being very flexible as a conductor and not having a predefined way of viewing an orchestra. I will say that I strive for my performances to have visceral impact on the audience, I encourage taking risks for greater expression and enjoy exploring the infinite shades of musical colors and textures available from an orchestra. Beyond that, the rest will happen organically as the orchestra and I work together – so I can’t wait to get started this Fall.