Michael Koehler, a renowned conductor, has achieved excellent results with the New York Philharmonic and the Leipzig Music University Orchestra. I strongly recommend him.
Kurt Masur
Legendary Conductor
MICHAEL
KOEHLER
MAESTRO·CONDUCTOR·DIRIGENT·CHEF D'ORCHESTRE
Michael Koehler is a most sought after conductor. His innovativeness and music dedication enrich musical life. The dark and warm sound of his orchestras, much praised today, has grown from the German tradition.
LET'S MAKE MUSIC TOGETHERScroll
20+
Years Music Director
4
Continents Performed
4
Record Labels
2022
OPUS KLASSIK Nominated
Performed at: Berlin Philharmonie · Leipzig Gewandhaus · Carnegie Hall NYC · Boston Symphony Hall · Shanghai Grand Theatre · Seoul Arts Center · Mumbai NCPA · Bayreuth Opera House · Teatro Massimo Bellini
Recommended by the best
WHAT MUSICIANS SAY
“Clean conducting with passion. The best we have ever seen.”
Sichuan Philharmonic Orchestra
He is one of the few very competent and highly capable orchestra conductors. Every orchestra will be fortunate to have such a musician as conductor.
Gotz Teutsch
Principal Cello, Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra
Michael Koehler is a highly qualified conductor. At the Leipzig Gewandhaus, his stylish capability, special talent and natural authority were evidently.
Christian Funke
1st Concertmaster, Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra
I was convinced by your professional skills, sense for rhythm and overall preciseness. I am very touched by your thorough understanding and interpretation of my works.
Wang Xi Lin
Chinese Icon Composer
A Musician with outstanding precise professional skills and overall knowledge.
Semyon Bychkov
Renowned Conductor
Congratulation for an amazing concert and a great mutual performance.
Guy Braunstein
Violinist, Berlin Philharmonic
His musical persuasiveness results from detailed knowledge and intellectual conviction.
Georg Christoph Biller
Music Director, Cantor of the Leipzig St Thomas's Choir
On Stage
RECENT ENGAGEMENTS
From Berlin to Beijing, from Carnegie Hall to Mumbai - Maestro Koehler continues to shape musical life on every continent.
2019
Maestro to Leipzig to set Philharmonics
Mar 30, 2023
Maestro Koehler to conduct at Berlin Philharmonie
2023
Taiyuan expecting Maestro Koehler for music season concert
Sep 2022
Michael Koehler in Palermo and BELLINI FESTIVAL at Teatro Massimo Bellini
2023
BRASIL is waiting for Maestro Michael Koehler
Mar 2023
Koehler to conduct Leipzig Philharmonic Tour to Colombia
Apr 16, 2023
Maestro Koehler to conduct BRAHMS at MUSIKVEREIN WIEN
2023
MAESTRO for first time in INDIA
Dec 25, 2022
Koehler to conduct festive Christmas Concert at Leipzig Gewandhaus
Dec 31, 2022
Michael Koehler to conduct JOHANN STRAUSS GALA at Leipzig Gewandhaus
Mar 31, 2023
Michael Koehler to conduct BRAHMS at Berlin PHILHARMONIE
Oct 2022
OPUS KLASSIK 2022 - Michael Koehler nominated BEST CONDUCTOR
Mar 22, 2023
Michael Koehler to conduct at GEWANDHAUS LEIPZIG
Nov 11, 2023
Michael Koehler to conduct at Berlin Philharmonie
About
WHAT I DO
Leipzig Philharmonic Orchestra
Germany
The Leipzig Philharmonic Orchestra sets standard for excellence in musical performance at home and around the world. The Orchestra enriches and serves cultural life throughout the country and gains enormous public recognition. The dark and warm sound of the Orchestra, much praised today, has grown from the German tradition. The Orchestra performs an extensive repertoire covering works from baroque to modern age, touring internationally to the USA, Italy, Sweden, Russia, China, South Korea, India and Latin America.
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Shanxi Symphony Orchestra
China
The Shanxi Symphony Orchestra is one of the earliest orchestras in modern China and the only professional symphony orchestra in the Shanxi province. The orchestra maintains long-term cooperative relations with many famous musicians at home and abroad. In recent years, it has particularly worked closely with famous composer Wang Xi Lin: the Symphony Suite 'Yellow River Mural' won the 'Best Classical Original Award 2018', known as the Chinese Grammy.
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University of Music Leipzig
Germany
The University of Music and Drama Leipzig is dedicated to the professional training of musicians, music teachers and actors at the highest international level. Founded in 1843 by Felix Mendelssohn as the Conservatorium der Musik, it is the oldest university school of music in Germany. Dr. Michael Koehler was head of the orchestra and is currently teaching major orchestra conducting.
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Sai Symphony Orchestra
India
The Sai Symphony Orchestra was founded by Sri Sathya Sai Baba in India. The orchestra performs western classical compositions and west-eastern fusion music in India and abroad. The Orchestra and choir consists of 126 musicians from 16 countries. Recently, the Sai Symphony by German composer Mike Herting was dedicated to this orchestra and premiered in India, Germany and China.
MOREAbout Michael Koehler
EXPLORE
Maestro Michael Koehler was born in the musical city of Dresden, Germany. After spending his early years in Dresden as solo pianist, he studied sound engineering and orchestra conducting in Berlin. After his graduation from the Hochschule fur Musik “Hanns Eisler” Berlin (class of GMD Prof. Rolf Reuter, Berlin State Opera) he continued his studies with Maestro Sergiu Celibidache in Munich and at the Schola Cantorum in Paris. He participated in master-classes with Kurt Masur, Gerd Albrecht, Rolf Reuter and at the Yehudi-Menuhin-Academy, Gstaad among others.
Radio and TV like ARD, ZDF, RTL, RAI, Russian TV 1, CCTV, Indian National TV have covered his activities. He has conducted numerous orchestras across Europe, Asia and America (USA, Italy, Spain, Sweden, Finland, Russia, China, South Korea, India, Brasil, Mexico and Latin America). His music was released at Sony Music, Naxos, Kuke and Sommo.
Michael Koehler is presenting brilliant concerts as the Artistic Director and Music Director of the Leipzig Philharmonic Orchestra since 2000. In 2008, he was chosen as the Principal Conductor and Artistic Director of the Leipzig Symphony Orchestra. In 2019, he was appointed General Music Director of the Shanxi Symphony Orchestra in Taiyuan/China. In 2022, he appeared at the National Music Festival of the USA conducting a brilliant performance of Shostakovich's Symphony No. 10.
Since 1998, he has been working at the Leipzig University of Music and Drama “Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy” as Head of the Orchestra, Orchestra Conductor and teacher. He wrote his thesis in musicology at the Humboldt University of Berlin and was conferred the title of Doctor Philosophiae in 2000. In 2022, he is nominated for OPUS KLASSIK 2022 - the most prestigious prize for classical music in Germany.
His activities were supported by grants from the German Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the Federal Government Minister for Culture and the Media Monika Grutters and the German Music Council, the German Federal Cultural Foundation, the Cultural Foundation of Saxony, the City of Leipzig and the Friedrich Naumann Foundation.
Career Milestones
Oct 1998
Conductor at University of Music Leipzig
Dec 1998
Doctorate at Humboldt University Berlin
Dec 2000
Foundation of the Kammerphilharmonie Leipzig
2002
Head of the Orchestra, University of Music Leipzig
May 2003
Debut in China, Chengdu
Oct 2004
Teacher for major orchestra conducting
Apr 2007
Foundation of the Leipzig Philharmonic Orchestra
2009
Principal Guest Conductor at Milano/Bergamo
Sep 2010
Debut at USA, Carnegie Hall, NYC
2010
Appointed Professor at Seoul (SMU University)
Jun 2012
Debut at Russia, St. Petersburg Philharmonic Hall
Nov 2017
Appointed Professor at Taiyuan University
Mar 2019
General Music Director at Shanxi Symphony Orchestra
LET'S MAKE MUSIC TOGETHER
Maestro Michael Koehler is renowned for excellence in musical performances around the world. His unique concerts enrich cultural life and gain enormous public recognition. The dark and warm sound of his orchestras, much praised today, has grown from the German tradition.
He has performed at the Berlin Philharmonie, Leipzig Gewandhaus, Leipzig Opera House, Stuttgart Liederhalle, Frankfurt HR Concert Hall, Berlin Konzerthaus, Carnegie Hall NYC, Chicago Harris Theatre, Boston Symphony Hall, Teatro Massimo Bellini (Italy), Auditorio de Galicia (Spain), Royal Festival Stockholm, St. Petersburg Grand Philharmonic Hall, House of Music Moscow, Bayreuth Opera House, Beijing Hall of the People, Shanghai Oriental Arts Center, Seoul Arts Center, New Delhi National Stadium, Mumbai National Center of the Performing Arts and Bangalore Chowdiah Hall.
CONTACT MAESTRO KOEHLERAbout My Music
MEDIA
Listen
Stream on Spotify
Recordings
Released on Sony Music, Naxos, Kuke and Sommo
Get in Touch
LET'S MAKE MUSIC TOGETHER
With his broad profile in symphony concert, opera, and ancient music, Maestro Koehler is empowering long-lasting relations with both orchestras and audience. Reach out to discuss engagements, guest conducting, and collaborative projects.
Artistic Director and Music Director, Leipzig Philharmonic Orchestra
General Music Director, Shanxi Symphony Orchestra
Professor, University of Music Leipzig
OPUS KLASSIK 2022 Nominated - Best Conductor