Julian Wachner is one of North America’s most exciting and versatile musicians, sought-after as both conductor and composer. He appears on the world’s leading stages including engagements with The Philadelphia Orchestra, Glimmerglass Opera, Montreal Symphony Orchestra, Boston Pops Orchestra, Portland Symphony, Pittsburgh Symphony, Honolulu Symphony, Music Academy of the West, Calgary Philharmonic, San Diego Symphony, National Arts Centre Orchestra, Handel & Haydn Society, Pacific Symphony, and L’Orchestre Métropolitain du Grand Montréal. He was recently named Music Director of the GRAMMY® award-winning Washington Chorus, in residence at the Kennedy Center. In addition, he is associate professor of music at the Schulich School of Music at McGill University in Montréal, Québec where he serves as Principal Conductor of Opera McGill.
Julian Wachner's original music has been described as “bold and atmospheric” by the New York Times, “jazzy, energetic, and ingenious” by the Boston Globe, “highly enjoyable, touching, clever, and inspiring” by the Deseret News, and “upbeat, jazzy, glittering, and poignant” by the Providence Journal. His complete catalogue of music of over 80 works, is published by E. C. Schirmer. Also an award-winning organist and improvisateur, at the Spoleto Festival USA his improvised finale at his solo recital led one reviewer to report that “this stupefying wizardry was the hit of the recital, and it had to be heard to be believed.” As a collaborative pianist, Julian Wachner has twice toured South America with countertenor Daniel Taylor and the Theatre of Early Music. Wachner’s recordings are with the Chandos, Naxos, Atma Classique, Arsis, Musica Omnia, and Titanic labels.
Born in Hollywood, California, Wachner began his musical education at age 4 with cello and piano lessons at the University of Southern California, and studied under Gerre Hancock while a boy chorister at the St. Thomas Choir School in New York City. He earned the Doctor of Musical Arts degree from Boston University’s School for the Arts where his teachers included David Hoose and Lukas Foss. While at Boston University, Wachner began a long association with Tanglewood serving on the teaching staff of the Young Artists Vocal and Composition Programs (1989-91) and returning as director of the Young Artists’ Composition Program (1999, 2001, 2002), director of the Young Artists Chorus (1998), and Guest Conductor of the Young Artists Orchestra (2000).
In addition to his musical activities, Julian Wachner is training to become a practitioner of the Feldenkrais Method® in the south of France. He is also an amateur chef, and is developing a growing fascination with politics, history and international affairs.
