Volker Hartung
has been Principal Conductor of the Cologne New Philharmonic since 1986 and has appeared with the Orchestra at numerous international Music Festivals and extensive concert tours throughout the world.

Maestro Hartung furthermore conducted performances and productions with MDR Radio Orchestra Leipzig, the St.Petersburg Phil- harmonic Orchestra, the Bulgarian Philharmonic Orchestra in Sofia and the Shanghai Philharmonic Orchestra.

His several decades of experience as an independent orchestra manager have taught him how to form orchestras and make them financially and artistically viable in the face of various obstacles. He is able to perform a very wide ranging, extremely rich repertoire that is unspecialized and often combining different genres, like film and light music with the classical repertory. His lectures on music history and performance technique are internationally renowned.

He intensely studied the tradition of German symphonic and operatic repertoire. Under the influence of the conductors Eugenie Mravinsky and Sergiu Celibidache, Hartung developed a special understanding of the French, German and Russian musical styles. He was particular impressed by Arturo Toscanini and his influence on the American musical scene.

The atmosphere and professionalism of musical training there was taken by Hartung as model for linking the spirituality of European music with the practical discipline and faithfulness of the American musical approach.

In his early years he was a solo viola player and chamber musician in professional circles. He then proved his ability as a conductor, artistic director, and orchestra manager.

As a result, he has at his disposal an extensive repertory that is continually growing and that he passes on to his musicians in in- tense rehearsals and unforgettable concert events. In place of the widespread tendency towards specialization, Hartung offers his musicians a comprehensive musical program. In addition to the historical, dramatic and symphonic traditions of western music, Hartung also devotes his energy to musical theatre and audiovisual media.

Since 2015 he also is Principal Conductor and Music Director of the Zhuhai Philharmonic Orchestra in China.