The Norwegian Radio Orchestra appoints Holly Hyun Choe as Principal Conductor and Musical Advisor. The Korean-American conductor will succeed Petr Popelka at the beginning of 2026 and will initially hold this position for three years. The promising team will give their next concert together in October 2025.
Founded in 1946, the Norwegian Radio Orchestra (Kringkastingsorkestret, Kork for its abbreviation) is part of the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation (NRK) based in Oslo and performs both live and in the media throughout the country.
"With Holly Choe, we will have a principal conductor who matches Norwegian Radio Orchestra’s (Kork’s) mission on many levels", says the orchestra's Chief Executive Rolf Lennart Stensø. "From the first rehearsal, we noticed that the chemistry between conductor and orchestra was just right. Holly made a strong artistical impression, both in contemporary and classical music. Holly’s natural musicality, combined with her genre-crossing openness, are exactly what we are looking for in Kork.
We are very much looking forward to starting the collaboration, and to presenting her and our joint results to audiences throughout Norway."
Holly Hyun Choe says of her new role: “This new appointment comes as a fortunate stroke of serendipity. From the musicians, I appreciate so much their passion and enthusiasm for music, across the genres; their incredible technical abilities matched with a true hunger and determination for making music together and connecting with the community is what makes it such an honour for me to work with the Kork. The management team also impressed me in their meticulous balancing of professionalism, flexibility, fun, empathy, and openness. I have a strong feeling that our collective creativity will produce meaningful and memorable projects to share with our audience. And lastly, the beautiful city of Oslo and its vibrant cultural scene excites me to discover more and develop further our mission in serving the community.”
In addition to numerous guest engagements, Holly Hyun Choe is working with the LA Philharmonic, its chief conductor Gustavo Dudamel and prominent guest artists as a Dudamel Fellow in her home city of Los Angeles this season and will make her debut with the orchestra in May.
