Volker Hartung, Maestro / Viola D'Arco

Volker Hartung is an experienced conductor and orchestra manager with a distinguished international career. Born in Cologne, he studied viola and orchestral conducting at prestigious institutions such as the Juilliard School and the California Institute of the Arts. He was a disciple of renowned figures like Sergiu Celibidache and deepened his knowledge of German, French, and Russian musical traditions. From an early age, he stood out as a soloist and chamber musician, later establishing himself as a conductor and artistic director. He has been leading the Cologne New Philharmonic Orchestra for many years, in addition to serving as a guest conductor for various international orchestras, including the St. Petersburg Philharmonic, the Rome Symphony Orchestra, and the Shanghai Philharmonic. Between 2005 and 2011, he was the Director of Orchestral Studies at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts in Singapore. Hartung has an extensive and diverse repertoire, ranging from classical and romantic works to genres such as film music and tangos. He advocates for a broad musical education, avoiding excessive specialization. In addition to conducting, he delivers lectures on music history and performance techniques, with a strong presence on radio, television, and digital platforms. Under his leadership, the Cologne New Philharmonic Orchestra successfully completed a world tour in 2019, including major cities in China. His work is distinguished by the fusion of European musical spirituality with the discipline and efficiency of the American approach.