{{Short description|German conductor (1961–2022)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=June 2022}} {{Infobox person | name = Kai Bumann | image = Kai Bumann (1a).jpg | alt = Dramatic, side-lit, colour publicity shot against a black background, of a half-smiling, clean-shaven, grey-haired, bespectacled man. His head is slightly bent downward, and he is looking upwards at the camera. | caption = Kai Bumann, {{circa|2015}} | birth_date = {{birth date|1961|08|16|df=yes}} | birth_place = West Berlin, Germany | death_date = {{death date and age|df=yes|2022|06|02|1961|08|16}} | death_place = Nowy Targ, Poland | occupation = {{ubl | Conductor | Academic teacher }} | organization = {{ubl | Opera Krakowska | Swiss Youth Symphony Orchestra | Warsaw Chamber Opera | Polish Baltic Philharmonic }} | awards = Geneva International Music Competition }} '''Kai Bumann''' (16 August 1961<ref>{{Cite news|title=Traueranzeige Kai Bumann|trans-title=Death notice|work=Neue Zürcher Zeitung|date=10 June 2022|url=https://trauer.nzz.ch/traueranzeige/kai-bumann |access-date=3 July 2022}}</ref> – 2 June 2022) was a German conductor who led orchestras and opera companies mainly in Poland, such as the Opera Krakowska, Warsaw Chamber Opera and the Polish Baltic Philharmonic. He was conductor and artistic director of the Swiss Youth Symphony Orchestra (SJSO) from 1998 until his death.
== Career == Born in 1961 in West Berlin,<ref name="SJSO" /> Bumann studied at the Berlin University of the Arts<ref name="Klassik" /> and first worked as répétiteur, from 1986 at Theater Trier and from 1988 at Theater Freiburg.<ref name="SJSO" /> In 1989, he became the 1st Kapellmeister at the Landestheater Detmold,<ref name="SJSO" /> where he was interim Generalmusikdirektor (GMD) the following season.<ref name="Lucerne" /><ref name="Klassik" /> He was in the same position at the Hessisches Staatstheater Wiesbaden in the 1996/97 season.<ref name="SJSO" /><ref name=":2">{{cite web|title=Kai Bumann. Biography|periodical=|publisher=St. Petersburg Philarmonia|url=https://www.philharmonia.spb.ru/en/persons/biography/29483/|url-status=|format=|access-date=21 September 2020|archive-url=|archive-date=|last=|date=|year=|language=en|pages=|quote=}}</ref>
In 1997, he became chief conductor of the Opera Krakowska.<ref name="SJSO" /><ref name="Klassik" /><ref name="Gdansk" /> He first conducted at the Deutsche Oper Berlin in 1998, followed by regular appearances until 2003.<ref name="SJSO" /><ref name="Gdansk" /> The same year, he also became conductor and artistic director of the Swiss Youth Symphony Orchestra (SJSO),<ref name="SJSO" /><ref name="Schacher" /> a position he held until his death.<ref name="Klassik" /> In 2016 they performed at Tonhalle St. Gallen.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fuchs |first=Daniel |date=1 May 2016 |title=Mahlers Neunte, jugendlich reif |trans-title=Mahler's Ninth, youthfully mature |url=https://www.saiten.ch/mahlers-neunte-jugendlich-reif/ |access-date=21 August 2022 |website=Saiten}}</ref> He celebrated the orchestra's 50th anniversary in 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic with a reduced group.<ref name="Schacher" /> In 2021, he led the orchestra in an event of the Lucerne Festival, themed "Music for Future". They played Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 21 and Beethoven's First Symphony, standing throughout, with well-balanced sound and dedication to detail.<ref name="Kühne" /> In April 2022 they were part of ''Through the Night's'' episode "Europe's Young Performers", ''a'' BBC Radio 3 program.<ref>{{Cite web |date=25 April 2022 |title=BBC Radio 3 - Through the Night, Europe's Young Performers (3/3) |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0016jvy |access-date=2022-08-21 |website=BBC |language=en-GB}}</ref>
Bumann was musical director of the Warsaw Chamber Opera from 2003 to 2013,<ref name="SJSO" /> beginning with Verdi's ''Falstaff''. They toured to France, Spain, and to Japan in 2004 and 2006.<ref name="Gdansk" /> He was also chief conductor of the Polish Baltic Philharmonic from 2008 to 2012.<ref name="SJSO" /> From 2013, he was first guest conductor of the Łódź Philharmonic.<ref>{{cite web|title=Koncert symfoniczny: Koncert pożegnalny Kaia Bumanna|periodical=Filharmonia Łódzka|publisher=|url=https://filharmonia.lodz.pl/pl/wydarzenia/koncert-symfoniczny-104|url-status=|format=|access-date=21 September 2020|archive-url=|archive-date=|last=|date=|year=|language=pl|pages=|quote=}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Filharmonia Łódzka: "rezydujący" artyści i dyrygent w nowej roli – Dzienniklodzki.pl|periodical=|publisher=|url=https://dzienniklodzki.pl/filharmonia-lodzka-rezydujacy-artysci-i-dyrygent-w-nowej-roli/ar/9405208|url-status=|format=|access-date=21 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190620151150/https://dzienniklodzki.pl/filharmonia-lodzka-rezydujacy-artysci-i-dyrygent-w-nowej-roli/ar/9405208|archive-date=20 June 2019|last=|date=20 June 2019|language=|pages=|quote=}}</ref>
Bumann was chief conductor of the two orchestras of the Bromberg Philharmonie from 2015,<ref name="SJSO" /><ref name="Lucerne" /><ref name=":0">{{cite web|title=Kai Bumann|periodical=|publisher=|url=http://www.filharmonia.bydgoszcz.pl/dyrektor/kai-bumann/|url-status=|format=|access-date=21 September 2020|archive-url=|archive-date=|last=Filarmonia Pomorska|date=17 May 2016|language=pl|pages=|quote=}}</ref> and also became professor of conducting at the {{ill|Stanisław Moniuszko Academy of Music in Gdańsk|de|Musikakademie Danzig}} in 2010.<ref name="Gdansk" /><ref name="SJSO" /> He was named Professor of Art by the Polish President, Andrzej Duda, in 2021.<ref name="Gdansk professor" />
Bumann was a friend of many personalities in Polish cultural life, and conducted the world premiere of Krzysztof Penderecki's ''Lacrimosa No. 2'' for soprano, chorus and chamber orchestra, one of the composer's last works, on 6 October 2018.<ref name="IRCAM" /><ref name="Schott" />
Bumann died on 2 June 2022 in a hospital in Nowy Targ of a heart attack, aged 60.<ref name="Klassik" /><ref name="Palińska" /> He was buried in Łopuszna.<ref>[https://m.podhale24.pl/nekrologi/nekrolog/12749 Funeral notice], podhale24.pl (in Polish)</ref>
== Awards and honors ==
* 1994: Second prize at the Geneva International Music Competition<ref name="SJSO" /><ref name="Klassik" /><ref name="Lucerne" /> * 2014: Medal for Merit to Culture – Gloria Artis<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lista laureatów medalu Zasłużony Kulturze - Gloria Artis |trans-title=List of laureates of the Medal for Merit to Culture - Gloria Artis |url=http://mkidn.gov.pl/pages/strona-glowna/ministerstwo/odznaczenia/medal-zasluzony-kulturze---gloria-artis.php |access-date=21 August 2022 |website=Ministerstwo Kultury i Dziedzictwa Narodowego [Ministry of Culture and National Heritage of the Republic of Poland] |language=Polish}}</ref>
== Recordings == * 2006: Bartók: Viola Concerto, Peter Mieg: ''Triple concerto dans le gôut italien'', Dvořák: Symphony No. 8; with Lea Boesch (viola), Schweizer Jugend-Sinfonie-Orchester<ref>[https://sjso.ch/shop/ CDs] SJSO</ref> * 2008: Feliks Janiewicz, Violin Concertos No. 3 and 5, with Zbigniew Pilch (violin), Musicae Antiquae Collegium Varsoviense, TAKT PMC 057<ref>[https://www.polskieradio.pl/8/382/Artykul/1865906,Fantazja-polska-26-wrzesnia-godz-0100 Fantazja polska – powtórzenie] polskieradio.pl</ref> * 2016: Mahler, Ninth Symphony; Schweizer Jugend-Sinfonie-Orchester, live recording.<!-- (Konzertmitschnitt auf [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YygkraLvzDY youtube])--> * 2017: ''Przeboje 55-lecia'', works by J. S. Bach and W. A. Mozart, with Helena Bregar (soprano), Tomasz Gluska (trompet), Capella Bydgostiensis; DUX 1427<ref>[https://tygodnikbydgoski.pl/muzyka/przeboje-55-lecia-nowa-plyta-capelli-bydgostiensis Przeboje 55-lecia. Nowa płyta Capelli Bydgostiensis] tygodnikbydgoski.pl 2018</ref>
== Writing ==
* {{Cite journal |last=Bumann |first=Kai |date=2014 |title=Der Dirigent in der Oper - der Dirigent im Konzertsaal : eine kurze Orientierung für junge Dirigenten, die am Beginn ihres Studiums stehen |trans-title=The conductor in the opera - the conductor in the concert hall : a short orientation for young conductors at the beginning of their studies |url=https://bazhum.muzhp.pl/media/files/Aspekty_Muzyki/Aspekty_Muzyki-r2014-t4/Aspekty_Muzyki-r2014-t4-s171-178/Aspekty_Muzyki-r2014-t4-s171-178.pdf |journal=Aspekty Muzyki |volume=4 |pages=171–178 |via=BazHum - Polish History Museum}} * {{Cite journal |last=Bumann |first=Kai |author-mask=3 |date=2010 |title=Patriotyzm po europejsku. Ankieta |trans-title=European-style Patriotism. A Survey |url=https://chtyvo.org.ua/authors/Herasym_Oles/Patriotyzm_po_europejsku_Ankieta__pl/ |journal=Znak |publisher=Społeczny Instytut Wydawniczy Znak |issue=664 |pages=36, 39 |issn=0044-488X |via=chtyvo.org.ua}}
== References == <references>
<ref name="Kühne">{{cite news | last = Kühne | first = Roman | url = https://www.luzernerzeitung.ch/zentralschweiz/luzern/junge-spontaneitat-wegen-corona-vertagt-ld.2173454 | title = Junge Spontaneität wegen Corona vertagt | website = Luzerner Zeitung | date = 21 August 2021 | language = de | access-date = 4 June 2022 }}</ref>
<ref name="Palińska">{{cite web | last = Palińska | first = Ewa | url = https://kultura.trojmiasto.pl/Zmarl-Kai-Bumann-byly-dyrektor-artystyczny-Polskiej-Filharmonii-Baltyckiej-n167575.html | title = Zmarł Kai Bumann – były dyrektor artystyczny Polskiej Filharmonii Bałtyckiej | website = kultura.trojmiasto.pl | date = 2 June 2022 | language = pl | access-date = 4 June 2022 }}</ref>
<ref name="Schacher">{{cite news | last = Schacher | first = Thomas | url = https://www.nzz.ch/feuilleton/50-jahre-schweizer-jugend-sinfonie-orchester-ein-sforzato-ist-wie-ein-komet-ld.1583359 | title = "Ein Sforzato ist wie ein Komet": 50 Jahre Schweizer Jugend-Sinfonie-Orchester | website = Neue Zürcher Zeitung | date = 24 October 2020 | language = de | access-date = 4 June 2022 }}</ref>
<ref name="Gdansk">{{cite web | url = https://amuz.gda.pl/wydzialy/wydzial-i-dyrygentury-kompozycji-i-teorii-muzyki/pedagodzy/prof-dr-hab-kai-bumann,501 | title = dr hab. Kai Bumann, prof. AM | publisher = {{ill|Stanisław Moniuszko Academy of Music in Gdańsk|de|Musikakademie Danzig}} | date = 2022 | language = pl | access-date = 4 June 2022 }}</ref>
<ref name="Gdansk professor">{{cite web | url = https://amuz.gda.pl/aktualnosci/nominacje-profesorskie-dla-pedagogow-amuz-w-pierwszym-semestrze-2021-2022,245 | title = Nominacje profesorskie dla pedagogów aMuz w pierwszym semestrze 2021/2022 | publisher = Stanisław Moniuszko Academy of Music in Gdańsk | date = 2021 | language = pl | access-date = 4 June 2022 }}</ref>
<ref name="IRCAM">{{IRCAM work|title=''Lacrimosa No. 2'', Krzysztof Penderecki|id=48818}}</ref>
<ref name="Klassik">{{cite web | url = https://magazin.klassik.com/news/teaser.cfm?ID=17584 | title = Dirigent Kai Bumann gestorben | website = magazin.klassik.com | date = | language = de | access-date = 3 June 2022 }}</ref>
<ref name="Lucerne">{{cite web | url = https://www.lucernefestival.ch/de/programm/kuenstlerverzeichnis/kai_bumann/3424 | title = Kai Bumann | website = Lucerne Festival | date = 2021 | language = de | access-date = 4 June 2022 }}</ref>
<ref name="Schott">{{cite web | url = https://www.schott-music.com/en/lacrimosa-no-2-no404315.html#product-performances | title = ''Lacrimosa no. 2'' | publisher = Schott Music | date = | language = de | access-date = 20 July 2022 }}</ref>
<ref name="SJSO">{{cite web | url = https://sjso.ch/dirigent/ | title = Kai Bumann / Dirigent und künstlerische Leitung | publisher = Schweizer Jugend-Sinfonie-Orchester | date = | language = de | access-date = 21 September 2020 | archive-date = 3 June 2022 | archive-url = https://archive.today/20220603202830/https://sjso.ch/dirigent/ | url-status = dead }}</ref>
</references>
== External links == * {{discogs artist}} * {{YouTube|Z70rhrE-fjw|Schweizer Jugend-Sinfonie-Orchester {{!}} Kai Bumann {{!}} Oliver Schnyder (2021)}} * {{YouTube|_FRywEbNGxw|Mozart: Ouverture ''Der Schauspieldirektor'', SJSO, Kai Bumann (2021)|link=no}}
{{Portal bar|Biography|Classical music}} {{authority control|state=collapsed}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bumann, Kai}} Category:1961 births Category:2022 deaths Category:20th-century German conductors (music) Category:21st-century German conductors (music) Category:German male conductors (music) Category:Musicians from Berlin Category:Recipients of the Bronze Medal for Merit to Culture – Gloria Artis Category:Berlin University of the Arts alumni