We are The Danish Philharmonic Orchestra
The Danish Philharmonic Orchestra is one of Denmark’s most dynamic symphony orchestras. In recent years, audiences in Southern Jutland have enjoyed performances by leading Nordic artists such as Andreas Brantelid, Leif Ove Andsnes, Håkan Hardenberger and Johan Dalene, alongside internationally acclaimed soloists including Daniel Müller-Schott, Isabel van Keulen, Sarah Chang, Arthur and Lucas Jussen, and Alena Baeva.
The orchestra has also established a growing international profile through repeated invitations to the prestigious Schleswig-Holstein Musik Festival. In the summer of 2025, the orchestra embarked on an extensive concert tour of Japan with violinist Pinchas Zukerman, an acknowledgement of its outstanding artistic quality and international stature. On the national stage, the orchestra has also gained wide recognition through its participation in TV 2 Alletiders Jul, Denmark’s largest and most spectacular televised Christmas show. TV 2 Alletiders Jul, Danmarks største og mest spektakulære tv-transmitterede juleshow.
In March 2025, 28-year-old Christian Øland was appointed Chief Conductor, becoming the youngest chief conductor of a Danish symphony orchestra to date. At the same time, the orchestra’s long-standing artistic collaborator Henrik Schaefer was appointed Principal Guest Conductor. And latest, in 2026 the internationally acclaimed conductor, Alevtina Ioffe, was appointed Honorary Conductor.
Founded as one of Denmark’s five regional orchestras in 1963, The Danish Philharmonic Orchestra performs an extensive concert season throughout Southern Jutland and South Schleswig in northern Germany. The orchestra is based in Sønderborg, where it performs in the acclaimed Alsion Concert Hall.
Philharmonic Choir
The Philharmonic Choir was formed in the spring of 2003. The choir currently consists of 55-60 members and is an ambitious amateur choir with a long tradition of performing major choral works, especially oratorio works and masses, which are performed together with the Danish Philharmonic Orchestra in two to three annual projects.
It is thus a well-established ensemble that, with roots in tradition, constantly sets new artistic goals in collaboration with the orchestra.
The music director
Adam Stadnicki (b. 1986) studied cello at the Royal Danish Academy of Music in Copenhagen, the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Paris, and the Manhattan School of Music in New York. As a former member and co-founder of the Copenhagen Piano Quartet, he has won several international competitions, including the International Johannes Brahms Competition and third prize at P2’s Chamber Music Competition in 2014. With the quartet, he recorded all of Friedrich Kuhlau’s piano quartets for the Danish record label Dacapo. **Today, he is our Music Director – and we couldn’t be happier to have him.**
As a former member and co-founder of the Copenhagen Piano Quartet, he has won several international competitions, including the International Johannes Brahms Competition and 3rd prize at the P2 Chamber Music Competition in 2014. Together with the quartet, he has recorded all the piano quartets by Friedrich Kuhlau on the DACAPO record label.
Now he is our music director, and we are happy about that.
Lift the curtain on the music
Each instrument in a symphony orchestra plays a crucial role in creating a harmonious and rich sound. The strings add warmth and depth, the winds bring color and character, while the timpani provide power and rhythm. Together they create a beautiful and complex musical experience. Get to know each of them here.
The team behind the orchestra
Behind a well-functioning orchestra is a dedicated team, where every single role is crucial. From finances to administration, producers, archivists, directors and communications officers – every link is indispensable for the orchestra to deliver. They all contribute equally importantly to the orchestra's success, when together they create harmony between artistic expression and stable operation.
