Biographie

Kilian Herold’s career began at an exceptionally young age, when he was appointed principal clarinetist of the Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen while still a student. From 2011 to 2016, he held the same prestigious position with the SWR Symphony Orchestra, before establishing himself as a sought-after soloist and regular guest with some of the world’s foremost orchestras, including the Berlin Philharmonic, the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, and the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra. Throughout his career, he has had the privilege of collaborating with eminent conductors such as Sir Simon Rattle, Kiril Petrenko, Esa-Pekka Salonen, Klaus Mäkelä and Daniel Harding, bringing his exceptional artistry to the international stage.

Chamber music occupies a central role in Herold’s musical life. He frequently performs with distinguished musicians such as Tanja Tetzlaff, Tianwa Yang, Sarah Maria Sun, Jan Philip Schulze, Maximilian Hornung, and the Armida Quartet, and is a frequent guest at festivals and concert series worldwide. Beyond performance, Herold cares deeply about the expansion of the clarinet repertoire, dedicating himself not only to the rediscovery of forgotten masterpieces but also to commissioning new works. This commitment has resulted in numerous critically acclaimed and award-winning CD recordings, released by leading labels such as CAvi/Deutsche Grammophon and Hänssler Classic.

Since 2016, Kilian Herold has been Professor of Clarinet at the Freiburg University of Music. His students are regularly recognized as prizewinners in major international competitions and secure positions in top orchestras. Herold is an active advocate for the clarinet community, offering masterclasses across the globe. As the artistic director of the international clarinet festival “ClariMondo,” he has created a vital platform for the promotion and further development of clarinet music, fostering dialogue and innovation.