May 21--The Chicago Symphony Orchestra made it official on Thursday: Keith Buncke has been hired to replace David McGill as the orchestra's principal bassoon, effective at the start of the CSO's Ravinia residency on July 6.
Buncke, principal bassoon of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra since 2014, is getting the jump on his official tenure by appearing as guest principal bassoon at this week's subscription concerts under Esa-Pekka Salonen. He also is scheduled to perform in that capacity during Riccardo Muti's subscription weeks June 8 and 15.
The Portland, Ore., native, who is in his early 20s, is one of the youngest musicians ever to hold a first-chair position at the CSO. So highly regarded is he that the Atlanta Symphony engaged him as its principal bassoon while he was still a student at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia.
Buncke served as a fellow at the Tanglewood Music Festival and has taken part in the Aspen, Sarasota and Pacific music festivals. He also is an alumnus of the Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan.
