Founded in 1908, the Orchestra dell'Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia was Italy’s first orchestra devoted exclusively to the symphonic repertoire, and is celebrated for its rich, golden Italian sound. This illustrious ensemble presented the world premieres of several major 20th-century masterpieces, including Respighi’s Fountains of Rome and Pines of Rome.

Over more than a century, the orchestra has been shaped by some of the greatest conductors of our time—Arturo Toscanini, Claudio Abbado, Giuseppe Sinopoli, and Antonio Pappano—building a legacy of exceptional performances and acclaimed recordings.

Celebrated for its luminous tone, rich color, and exquisite emotional nuance, the orchestra is hailed by critics as among the finest in the world. In the 2024/25 season, a new chapter begins under the artistic leadership of British conductor Daniel Harding, who steps in as Music Director.

Daniel Harding, once assistant to legendary maestros Sir Simon Rattle and Claudio Abbado, rose to international prominence at a young age and has since been hailed as “a conducting prodigy of his generation.” Known for his refined technique and profound interpretive insight, Harding possesses a remarkable ability to uncover nuance and emotional depth across a wide range of musical styles, bringing to the podium a rare blend of precision and sensitivity.

Joining him for this concert is Korean pianist Yunchan Lim, who shot to global fame after winning the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition. With his deeply expressive musicianship and magnetic stage presence, Lim is set to once again captivate Taiwanese audiences.

This encounter between a prodigious young soloist and a century-old orchestra promises an evening of exceptional artistry and electrifying virtuosity.

Rossini: Overture, from Guillaume Tell 
Ravel: Piano Concerto, M. 83, G major
Rachmaninoff: Symphony No. 2, Op. 27, E minor
 

Conductor／Daniel Harding
Daniel Harding served as Music Director of the Orchestre de Paris from 2016 to 2019 and was Principal Guest Conductor of the London Symphony Orchestra from 2007 to 2017. He has enjoyed a close, decades-long collaboration with the Mahler Chamber Orchestra, which named him Conductor Laureate for life. Beginning with the 2024/25 season, Harding assumes the role of Music Director of the Orchestra dell'Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia.

He is a regular visitor to the world’s leading orchestras, including the Vienna Philharmonic, Berlin Philharmonic, Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, London Symphony Orchestra, and the Orchestra of La Scala, Milan. In the United States, he has conducted the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Cleveland Orchestra, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Los Angeles Philharmonic, New York Philharmonic, and San Francisco Symphony.

In recognition of his artistic achievements, Harding was named Chevalier of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French government in 2002 and was promoted to Officier in 2017. He was elected to the Royal Swedish Academy of Music in 2012 and received the Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the UK’s 2021 New Year Honours. Beyond the concert hall, he is also a licensed airline pilot.

Piano／Yunchan Lim
In 2022, at just eighteen years old, Yunchan Lim became the youngest-ever Gold Medalist at the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, instantly rising to global prominence as a new superstar in the classical music world. His playing, described as possessing “magical ability” and “natural, instinctive quality” (La Scena Musicale, Canada), has captivated audiences worldwide. Conductor Marin Alsop, who led the finals, praised him as a “rare artist who brings profound musicality and prodigious technique organically together.”

Lim’s audacious interpretation of Liszt’s Transcendental Études was hailed by Gramophone as “a buzz throughout the international piano community.” His performance of Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 3 became one of the defining moments of the competition. As Seen and Heard International noted, “The applause that followed was endless: a star had emerged before our eyes.”

Since his victory, Lim has gone on to perform with many of the world’s leading orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic, Munich Philharmonic, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and BBC Symphony Orchestra. He has also given recitals at prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall, the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, and Suntory Hall in Tokyo.

A recording artist with Decca Classics, Lim’s debut studio album Chopin Études received widespread acclaim and topped classical charts worldwide. The album won the 2024 Gramophone Award for Piano and earned him the title of Young Artist of the Year. In January 2024, he was appointed the Apple Music Classical Global Ambassador. He is scheduled to return to Carnegie Hall for a solo recital in the 2025/26 season.

Orchestra dell'Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia
Founded in 1908, the Orchestra dell'Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia was Italy’s first symphonic ensemble dedicated exclusively to orchestral repertoire. Among its historic achievements are the world premieres of Respighi’s Fountains of Rome and Pines of Rome, works that remain central to the Italian symphonic canon. Over the course of its distinguished history, the orchestra has collaborated with many of the most influential conductors of the 20th and 21st centuries, including Arturo Toscanini, Herbert von Karajan, and Claudio Abbado. From 1983 to 1990, Leonard Bernstein served as its Honorary President.

Since 2005, under the leadership of Sir Antonio Pappano, its former Music Director, the orchestra has experienced a remarkable artistic ascent, gaining international acclaim and appearing at prestigious festivals such as the BBC Proms, the Lucerne Festival, and the Salzburg Festival. It has also performed at many of the world’s most celebrated venues, including the Berlin Philharmonie, the Vienna Musikverein and Konzerthaus, La Scala in Milan, Suntory Hall in Tokyo, and Carnegie Hall in New York. Starting from the 2024/25 season, Daniel Harding has taken up the position of Music Director.