Han-Na Chang: ‘Music is joy in creation’

After performing for more than two decades Han-Na Chang claims the podium as her own. At the astonishingly young age of 31 the musician is emerging as one of the world’s most luminous conducting talents.

For the past year she has been music director of the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra as well as principal guest conductor of the Trondheim Symphony Orchestra and this after a glittering career as a soloist. 

She started playing the cello at the age of six and by the age of 12 was performing publically under the baton of Maestro Mstislav Rostropovich, her teacher and mentor, having won the prestigious international cello competition that bears his name.

And unlike so many other young proteges who rose and fell like comets, Han-Na Chang continues to be one of the most extraordinary musicians of her time.

Moving from the role of solo artist to conductor, she continues to break new ground in a world traditionally dominated by men and in so doing making the masculine term ‘maestro’ gender free.

So why has the artist decided to move to Doha? And what challenges is she facing as an orchestra conductor?

Han-Na Chang talks to Al Jazeera about her career and explains the importance of music in her life.