HarrisonParrott are delighted to work with the Karajan-Akademie for their 2019 residency and debut in China, and their first ever residency programme. The Karajan-Akademie, formed 40 years ago by Herbert von Karajan, work in conjunction with the renowned Berliner Philharmoniker in which highly talented musicians are taught by members of the Berliner Philharmoniker and receive preparation for life as an orchestral musician, as they embrace the academy’s motto to ​“Learn from the pros”.

This summer, the academy travel to Hangzhou for three performances at the Hangzhou Grand Theatre. This is the first time that Hangzhou Festival has invited an ensemble to be its orchestra in residence. The first two concerts on 6 and 8 July are led by Klaus Mäkelä, with a programme including Haydn’s Trumpet Concerto with soloist and Berliner Philharmoniker’s Gabor Tarkovi and Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto with Madeleine Vaillancourt. Other works in the programme include music from Beethoven, Ravel, Mozart and Schumann.

The final concert on 10 July sees the musicians of the Karajan-Akademie and the Hangzhou Philharmonic Orchestra perform a ​‘Side by Side’ concert, conducted by Yang Yang, Hangzhou Philharmonic’s Chief Conductor in a programme consisting of Mozart’s Concerto for Flute and Harp and Schubert’s Symphony No.9.

Furthermore, a partnership between Karajan-Akademie and the Hangzhou Philharmonic Orchestra has been established by both parties and an exchange programme will be carried out in the upcoming season. Hangzhou Philharmonic Orchestra will send up to four selected musicians to Berlin for a period of 3 – 4 weeks to participate in Karajan-Akademie​’s orchestra training programme including individual instrumental coaching by members of the Berliner Philharmoniker, chamber music and performances.