Mannes Orchestra Features Students and Alumni for Opening Night Concert
For the first concert of the 2024-2025 academic year, the Mannes Orchestra performed a variety of bold, inventive pieces that showcased the full range of the celebrated conservatory’s student body, led by conductor David Hayes.
Among the pieces performed was the world premiere of Jihwan Yoon’s In The Mirror…, which was composed for his master’s degree graduation. Yoon, who graduated from Mannes in 2024, earned the Martinů Prize for his score, which is awarded to a student or students demonstrating a unique voice and originality in musical composition for orchestra, and given in honor of distinguished composer and former Mannes faculty member Bohuslav Martinů. The piece reflects the knowledge Yoon gained during his time at Mannes, his growth as an artist, and interpretations of various relationships that impact and influence him, such as the one between himself and his work as an artist.
“Having the Mannes Orchestra play my piece as the first work of their 24-25 season was very meaningful for me,” he shares. “As a composer, having my work played by an orchestra is a huge honor. It’s a process that requires the dedication and time of many people, and it brings a sense of responsibility and passion. The time spent with the talented musicians at Mannes, when they came together to bring my music to life from just notes on paper, was an incredibly joyful and meaningful experience.”
The opening concert also featured soloist Yuchen Lu, Mannes ‘25, winner of the 2024 George and Elizabeth Gregory Concerto Competition, which provides the winning student a financial award of $4,000 and a performance with the Mannes Orhcestra. Yu performed Hindemith’s Der Schwanendreher, which was scored work for a small wind section and a string section that completely omits the violins and violas, allowing the mellow tone of the solo violist to stand in clear contrast to its accompaniment.
“Performing as a soloist with the Mannes Orchestra was an amazing experience,” says Lu. “The energy in the room was incredible, and playing alongside such talented musicians under David Hayes’ conducting made it even more special. The rehearsal process was also impressive—we managed to finish the entire work in such a short amount of time, which really speaks to the level of musicianship in the orchestra. Everything came together so seamlessly, and it felt like a culmination of all the hard work I’ve put in. It’s definitely a performance I’ll always remember.”
For both Yoon and Lu, their time studying at Mannes has helped them grow into the artists they are today, thanks to the rigorous training they received and the generous support of their teachers, as well as interactions and experiences with fellow students and musicians.
“My major professors guided me to have an original artistic perspective and musical philosophy,” explains Yoon. “Furthermore, the academic work I learned in class greatly contributed to the process of crafting refined compositions. Looking forward, it helped me to deeply reflect on what my mission as a musician is, what kind of music I should write, and once the direction is set, how to write it.”
“My time at Mannes has been pivotal in shaping me as an artist,” echoes Lu. “I’ve had the privilege of studying under incredible musicians like Milan Milisavljević, my viola teacher, whose guidance has been invaluable in refining my playing and deepening my understanding of the instrument. Alongside him, other teachers at Mannes have encouraged me to explore different styles, and really discover my own artistic voice. This nurturing environment has helped me become more confident as both an artist and a musician.”
Next up for Mannes is (Un)Silent Film Night, where the acclaimed Philip Glass score to Tod Browning’s 1931 film classic, “Dracula,” originally composed for the Kronos Quartet, will be performed live to film by the Orange Road Quartet, the Cuker and Stern Graduate String Quartet in Residence at Mannes. The quartet will perform with guest conductor and Mannes alum, Michael Riesman, in their concert debut at The New School.