Maximilian Hornung

Maximilian Hornung is regarded as one of the leading cellists on the international scene. Alongside exceptional technique and great versatility, his playing is characterized by extraordinary depth of sound, an unlimited range of colors, and natural sophistication. The sincerity of his interpretations allows him to convey the purest expression of the music he performs, connecting with audiences in a deep and meaningful way. In addition to the central repertoire, Hornung maintains a broad and diverse program and shows a particular interest in lesser-known masterpieces for the cello.

Recent orchestral engagements include appearances with the Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich, Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, Vienna Symphony, Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Czech Philharmonic, Bamberg Symphony, Philharmonia Orchestra, Helsinki Philharmonic, WDR Symphony Orchestra, Dallas Symphony, Pittsburgh Symphony, Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen, and Orchestre National de France. In the 2024/25 season, Hornung makes his debuts with the Bergen Philharmonic, Tampere Philharmonic, and Essener Philharmoniker, and serves as artist-in-residence with the Munich Symphony Orchestra as soloist, chamber musician, and conductor, with performances in and around Munich. He is in high demand among many of today’s leading conductors, including Daniel Harding, Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Paavo Järvi, Marie Jacquot, Esa-Pekka Salonen, David Zinman, Lorenzo Viotti, Pablo Heras-Casado, Semyon Bychkov, Manfred Honeck, Antonello Manacorda, John Storgårds, Michael Francis, Krzysztof Urbański, and Robin Ticciati.

As a recitalist, Hornung is a regular guest at leading venues such as the Berlin Philharmonie, Vienna Musikverein, Amsterdam Concertgebouw, and London’s Wigmore Hall, as well as festivals including Salzburg, Rheingau, Lucerne, Verbier, Schleswig-Holstein, Ravinia, and Hong Kong. His chamber music partners include Anne-Sophie Mutter, Vilde Frang, Denis Kozhukhin, Julia Fischer, Antje Weithaas, Hélène Grimaud, Daniil Trifonov, Hisako Kawamura, Christian Tetzlaff, Lisa Batiashvili, François Leleux, Joshua Bell, Yefim Bronfman, and Herbert Schuch. In recent years, Hornung has also established himself as a soloist-conductor, regularly leading various projects, most recently with the Orchestra della Svizzera italiana.

His extensive discography includes solo recordings and collaborations with leading chamber musicians. He received the ECHO Klassik Award in 2011 for his debut album Jump! (Sony, 2010) and again in 2012 for his recording of Dvořák’s Cello Concerto with the Bamberg Symphony under Sebastian Tewinkel (Sony, 2012). Other recordings include the major cello works of Richard Strauss with the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra conducted by Bernard Haitink (Sony, 2014) and the cello concertos of Joseph Haydn with the Kammerakademie Potsdam under Antonello Manacorda (Sony, 2015). In 2017, Deutsche Grammophon released a widely acclaimed recording of Schubert’s Trout Quintet, featuring Hornung alongside Anne-Sophie Mutter and Daniil Trifonov, among others. In 2018, myrios classics released his recording of Shostakovich’s Cello Concerto No. 2 and Sulkhan Tsintsadze’s Cello Concerto No. 2 with the Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin conducted by Andris Poga. Other recordings have appeared on the Genuin, Linn Records, NEOS, Bridge Records, and CPO labels.

Born in Augsburg in 1986, Hornung began his cello studies at the age of eight, receiving distinguished training from Eldar Issakadze, Thomas Grossenbacher, and David Geringas. Until 2011 he was the cellist of the Tecchler Trio, with which he won First Prize at the ARD International Music Competition in 2007. At just 23, he was appointed principal cello of the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, a position he held until 2013. Hornung has received support from the Borletti-Buitoni Trust in London and from his mentor Anne-Sophie Mutter. Since 2022, he has served as artistic director of the Traunsteiner Sommerkonzerte.