Olaf Koch was born in Sondershausen, Germany, in 1932. From
1945-1950 he studied cello, piano and conducting at the Max-Reger-Konservatorium in his
native town. After initial engagements in Meiningen and Halle he was appointed musical
director at various different theatres. In 1961 he was nominated
"Generalmusikdirektor" at the Meiningen theatre and in 1967 was made director
and principal conductor of the Hallesche Philharmonie. The Thüringen-Philharmonie Suhl
chose him as principal conductor in 1990. In 1972 Olaf Koch became lecturer for conducting
at the Leipziger Hochschule für Musik. In 1975 he received a professorship in Weimar.
Subsequently, he was appointed "Rektor" of the Hochschule für Musik "Hans
Eisler" in Berlin. He also worked as a guest conductor in Europe, South America and
Asia. During his stay as a visiting professor in Tokyo he recorded works by Mozart,
Händel, Brahms and Bernstein, aside from pieces by Japanese composers.
Olaf Koch was born in Sondershausen, Germany, in 1932. From
1945-1950 he studied cello, piano and conducting at the Max-Reger-Konservatorium in his
native town. After initial engagements in Meiningen and Halle he was appointed musical
director at various different theatres. In 1961 he was nominated
"Generalmusikdirektor" at the Meiningen theatre and in 1967 was made director
and principal conductor of the Hallesche Philharmonie. The Thüringen-Philharmonie Suhl
chose him as principal conductor in 1990. In 1972 Olaf Koch became lecturer for conducting
at the Leipziger Hochschule für Musik. In 1975 he received a professorship in Weimar.
Subsequently, he was appointed "Rektor" of the Hochschule für Musik "Hans
Eisler" in Berlin. He also worked as a guest conductor in Europe, South America and
Asia. During his stay as a visiting professor in Tokyo he recorded works by Mozart,
Händel, Brahms and Bernstein, aside from pieces by Japanese composers.