Maximilian Hornung

"I have a need to surround myself with people."

With captivating musicality, instinctive stylistic confidence and exceptional musical maturity, cellist Maximilian Hornung conquers the international concert stages. As a soloist, he performs with such renowned ensembles as the London Philharmonic Orchestra, the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, the Philharmonia Orchestra, the Tonhalle Orchestra Zurich, the Orchestre National de France, the Czech Philharmonic, the Vienna Symphony Orchestra, the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra, the Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen, the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, and the Bamberg Symphony, under conductors such as Daniel Harding, Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Mariss Jansons, Esa-Pekka Salonen, David Zinman, Pablo Heras-Casado, Semyon Bychkov, Bernard Haitink, Manfred Honeck, Antonello Manacorda, John Storgårds, Mario Venzago, Jonathan Nott, Andrew Manze, Krzysztof Urbański, and Robin Ticciati.

You left school at 16 and began studying cello. Would you recommend that?

Not generally, but in my case it was exactly the right thing.

At the age of 23, you were appointed principal cellist of the
Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, but you gave it up after only four years to dedicate yourself entirely to your solo and chamber music work. In retrospect, was that the right decision?

My four years in this particular orchestra and in this position were incredibly important for my musical and personal development. I got the job very early, at an age when others are just beginning their studies. In that sense, I see that time as a kind of advanced course of study or internship. Without those four years, everything that followed wouldn't have been possible. And that's why, yes, both joining the orchestra and leaving it after four years still feels absolutely right.

Do you sometimes miss playing in an orchestra?

Yes, I definitely miss playing in the orchestra sometimes, but really only sometimes. The vast symphonic repertoire is simply incredible!

You describe yourself as a gut-feeling person. What, for you, is the optimal mix between analytical engagement with a piece of music and intuitive music-making?

That is, when both are mutually beneficial and do not interfere with each other.

You are also a professor in Munich. What is important to you in teaching?

I place great importance on my students finding their own, unique voice. For us musicians, the journey is always the destination, and that requires a lifelong engagement with oneself and the instrument. Preparing my students to independently and in all its facets walk this path is my highest priority.

There are so many incredibly good cellists. What's the atmosphere like among them? Are you in contact with others, or is the competition too intense to allow for friendships?

I have a need to surround myself with people who inspire me, who excite me, with whom I feel we can progress together. And that's completely independent of what instrument they play, where they come from, or even whether they're musicians at all. But, to answer the question, there are indeed a very few outstanding cellists among my (close) friends.

How are you experiencing the current pandemic situation?

Very mixed. Sometimes with hope, sometimes with frustration, sometimes with anger, but mostly with the will to somehow make the best of it.

What are your takeaways from this time?

A very well-stocked and well-stocked wine cellar.

What are your future plans?

Right now, I'm not thinking so much about future plans, but rather just happy if anything works out at all. After this pandemic, the future will certainly be even harder to plan than it already was, so at most I dare to dream of hope.

What passions do you have besides music?

I love cooking and I love good wine.

Interview by Florian Schär | Classicpoint.net | March 24, 2021

Next concerts

November 29, 2026 - Hisako Kawamura, piano; Maximilian Hornung, cello
; February 4, 2027 - Maximilian Hornung (cello), Neubrandenburg Philharmonic, Daniel Geiss (conductor);
February 26, 2027 - Maximilian Hornung (cello), Beethoven Orchestra Bonn, Kevin John Edusei (conductor);
March 19, 2027 - Daniel Hope (violin), Maximilian Hornung (cello), Marie Sophie Hauzel (piano);
March 20, 2027 - Daniel Hope (violin), Maximilian Hornung (cello), Marie Sophie Hauzel (piano), Zurich Chamber Orchestra;
March 27, 2027 - Cellissimo - 6 cellists;
April 1, 2027 - 2nd Symphony Concert;
April 4, 2027 - Closing Concert of the Cello Masterclass