Page 225 - Media Coverage Book - 75th Aldeburgh Festival 2024

Sir Mark Elder being made a Companion of Honour by the then Prince of Wales CREDIT: PA
Images / Alamy Stock Photo

One way Elder set out to achieve that was by creating what he calls a “pyramid” of choirs in
Manchester. “I was appalled at the lack of vocalising in the city,” he recalls. The Hallé now runs
four different choirs including a community group for people who live in Ancoats, the Manchester
suburb where the Hallé is based.

Elder can be proud that he is leaving the Hallé to his successor, the Singapore-born Kahchun
Wong, in fine shape, though he admits it will be strange to be facing a future without it. He’s not
going to be idle, though, with the principal guest conductorship of the Bergen Philharmonic and
appearances at the Met, in New York, to keep him busy.

“Of course I’m going to miss the Hallé,” he says, “but there’s a new management team, and it’s the
right moment to move on and let the orchestra evolve without me.

“As for my work, well it’s as rich as it’s ever been. I have no desire or even ability to retire, I’m here
to make music. It’s why I’m alive.”

Sir Mark Elder gives farewell performances with the Hallé at the Bridgewater Hall, Manchester,
on May 31 and June 1, halle.co.uk; Aldeburgh Festival on June 23, brittenpearsarts.org; BBC
Proms on July 21, bbc.co.uk/proms; Edinburgh International Festival on August 17, eif.co.uk