Friedrich Pfeiffer gained international recognition as Principal Horn of the Vienna Philharmonic and has also made a name for himself as a conductor and founder of Philharmonic Generations Vienna. His career is defined by outstanding musical achievements and an unwavering commitment to building bridges between different generations of musicians.
Deeply rooted in Vienna’s musical tradition, Friedrich Pfeiffer’s remarkable career began with the Vienna Boys’ Choir. After positions with the Vienna Symphony Orchestra and the Vienna State Opera, his path ultimately led him to the world-renowned Vienna Philharmonic. With them, he performed under legendary conductors such as Herbert von Karajan and Leonard Bernstein in the great concert halls of the world.
A defining experience was his collaboration with Leonard Bernstein, with whom Friedrich Pfeiffer recorded the legendary Mahler cycle for Deutsche Grammophon. To this day, Pfeiffer considers Bernstein a mentor and role model. Bernstein’s commitment to an open society and his ability to transcend boundaries left a lasting impact on him. This inspiration ultimately led to the founding of Philharmonic Generations Vienna. Created with the vision of bringing together young talent and seasoned musicians, this unique orchestra is dedicated to preserving Vienna’s rich musical heritage.
Friedrich Pfeiffer is a shining example of musical brilliance and dedication, whose work continues to leave a lasting mark on the international music world. For his many years of service at the Salzburg Festival, he was awarded the Golden Decoration of Merit of the Province of Salzburg on August 8, 2007—an honor that recognizes his outstanding contributions to music and his unwavering pursuit of artistic excellence.
The Chinese New Year concerts in the sold-out Musikverein became triumphant successes and resulted in numerous invitations to China. Several successful tours across Asia highlight Friedrich Pfeiffer’s significant contribution to cultural exchange between Europe and Asia. Particularly noteworthy is his direction of the spectacular New Year’s Concert in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing with the Beijing Symphony Orchestra. Further milestones in his conducting career include his performance of Verdi’s Requiem with the Sofia Philharmonic.
Friedrich Pfeiffer is a shining example of musical brilliance and dedication, whose work continues to leave a lasting mark on the international music world. For his many years of service at the Salzburg Festival, he was awarded the Golden Decoration of Merit of the Province of Salzburg on August 8, 2007—an honor that recognizes his outstanding contributions to music and his unwavering pursuit of artistic excellence.
