Jan Vogler

Here’s a biography-style summary of Jan Vogler (cellist).

Jan Vogler – Life, Career & Highlights

Basic Facts

• Jan Vogler was born on February 18, 1964 in East Berlin, Germany.

• He is a celebrated classical cellist known for combining a strong classical foundation with adventurous, cross-genre projects.

• He splits his time between New York City and Dresden, Germany.

Early Life & Training

• Vogler first studied the cello with his father, Peter Vogler, in Berlin.

• He also studied with Josef Schwab in Berlin, Heinrich Schiff in Basel, and Siegfried Palm.

• At age 20, he secured the position of principal cellist (First Concertmaster of the cello section) with the Staatskapelle Dresden, the youngest in the orchestra’s history to do so.

• He held that position for over a decade before leaving in 1997 to devote himself fully to a solo career.

Solo & Collaborative Career

• After leaving Dresden, Vogler built a global career as a soloist, performing with major orchestras such as the New York Philharmonic, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Pittsburgh Symphony, Montreal Symphony, Vienna Symphony, and others.

• He is known for performing both core repertoire and contemporary works. He has premiered pieces by composers such as Tigran Mansurian, John Harbison, Udo Zimmermann, Wolfgang Rihm, Jörg Widmann (whose Dunkle Saiten was dedicated to Vogler), Nico Muhly, Sven Helbig, and Zhou Long.

• Beyond purely musical endeavors, Vogler explores interdisciplinary projects. For instance, his joint musical-literary program “New Worlds: Bill Murray, Jan Vogler & Friends” combined music, literature, and performance, touring venues such as Carnegie Hall.

Leadership & Roles

• Vogler serves as Artistic Director of the Moritzburg Festival (near Dresden).

• Since October 2008, he has been the Intendant (Artistic Director / Managerial Director) of the Dresden Music Festival.

Instruments & Recordings

• Vogler plays the Stradivari “Ex Castelbarco/Fau” 1707 cello.

• His discography is extensive, under the Sony Classical label, with recordings including:

  • Bach’s Six Suites for Unaccompanied Cello

  • Dvořák’s Cello Concerto (with the New York Philharmonic)

  • Schumann concerto, concertos by modern composers, cross-genre and crossover projects.

Recognition & Awards

• Vogler has been honored with Echo Klassik awards (e.g. Instrumentalist of the Year) for his recordings.

• He has received the Erich Kästner Prize for tolerance, humanity and international understanding.

• In 2021, he was awarded the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany.