Boston Symphony Appoints New Assistant Conductor

Korean-Canadian conductor Earl Lee will assume the position for a two year term, effective as of the ensemble’s 2021-22 season

Lee succeeds Yu-An Chang in the role, whose term with the Boston Symphony Orchestra (BSO) ended in 2020.

Lee will be one of two assistant conductors; the other being Anna Rakitina whose tenure is up to 2023.

The upcoming Tanglewood season will see Lee’s first podium appearance as assistant conductor of the BSO. This will be followed by subscription concerts at Symphony Hall during the 2022-23 season. 

Lee's post as associate conductor of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra will end this month  — a position held by him since 2018. Previously, he was resident conductor of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra from 2015 to 2018. 

Lee’s conducting engagements include the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestre National du Capitole de Toulouse, New Japan Philharmonic, Gangnam Symphony Orchestra, Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, and the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra.

“I feel very lucky to become a part of such an exceptional musical ensemble as the BSO,” said Lee in a statement. “I am honored and look forward to beginning work with the amazing Maestro Andris Nelsons and all the terrific musicians of the Boston Symphony Orchestra.”

“All of us at the BSO are thrilled to welcome Earl Lee as our new assistant conductor,” said Anthony Fogg, director of Tanglewood. “Earl’s impressive background as both conductor and cellist is matched by his commitment and dedication to connecting with fellow musicians and audiences beyond the concert hall. 

“We look forward to his first concerts with the orchestra next summer at Tanglewood and introducing him to Symphony Hall audiences in 2022–23,” he continued. “I’m sure Earl will be a wonderful addition to the BSO family.”