Ben Hong
cello, Sadie and Norman Lee Chair
About this Artist
Cellist Ben Hong joined the Los Angeles Philharmonic in 1993, at age 24, as Assistant Principal Cello. He currently serves as Associate Principal Cello, appointed in 2015 by Music Director Gustavo Dudamel. Hong also performs frequently as soloist and as a member of chamber music ensembles. He has collaborated with such artists as Emanuel Ax, Yefim Bronfman, Janine Jansen, Lang Lang, Simon Rattle, and Esa-Pekka Salonen. Concerto appearances with the LA Phil have included the U.S. premiere of Mark-Anthony Turnage’s cello concerto Kai, with Rattle conducting at the Ojai Music Festival, and the LA Phil premiere of Tan Dun’s Crouching Tiger Concerto, conducted by Long Yu at the Hollywood Bowl.
In 2009, Hong was hired by DreamWorks Pictures to train several members of the cast of the movie The Soloist, including Jamie Foxx. In addition, he was the featured soloist on the soundtrack, which was released on the Deutsche Grammophon label.
Born in Taipei, Taiwan, Hong won his native country’s National Cello Competition three years in a row before leaving home, at age 13, for the Juilliard School. Later he studied with Lynn Harrell at the University of Southern California’s School of Music before joining the LA Phil. In 2012, Hong joined the faculty of USC Thornton School of Music as an Adjunct Professor. In addition, he frequently presents clinics and master classes in the U.S. and abroad.