Michael Alexander Willens has established an international reputation as conductor of the Kölner Akademie, one of Europe’s leading period-instrument orchestras dedicated not only to the core Classical and Romantic repertoire, but also to the rediscovery and revival of unjustly neglected musical treasures from the seventeenth to the twentieth centuries. Under his artistic direction, the ensemble has developed a distinctive profile through historically informed performances, innovative programming and pioneering recordings of rarely performed repertoire.

Willens’ extensive discography of more than 100 recordings has garnered wide critical acclaim and numerous international distinctions. Among his most notable achievements are the recording of Beethoven’s piano concertos (2020) and the recording of Carl Maria von Weber’s  complete works for piano and orchestra (2021) with Ronald Brautigam, which received the prestigious German Record Critics’ Award (Preis der deutschen Schallplattenkritik), as well as his 2025 recording of Johann Heinrich Rolle’s Sinfonias and Harpsichord Concertos with Michael Borgstede, was also honoured with the same distinction. In recognition of his exceptional contribution to the interpretation and promotion of Baroque repertoire, Willens was awarded the prestigious Telemann Prize in 2026.

With the Kölner Akademie, Willens has appeared extensively throughout Europe, North and South America, Latin America and Asia, performing at leading festivals and concert venues. He has collaborated with renowned artists including Carolyn Sampson, Avi Avital, Albrecht Mayer, and Pieter Wispelwey.

Recent recording releases include Bach’s Lutheran Masses for Pentatone and Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto with Nicolas Baldeyrou for Alpha Classics. Upcoming releases feature he world premiere recording of Joseph Wölfl’s operetta Das Milchmädchen for CPO and Joseph Haydn’s dramatic “Sturm und Drang” symphonies (Nos 44. 45 & 49) for Pentatone. 

Future projects continue Willens’ commitment to uncovering overlooked repertoire and expanding the orchestral canon, including recordings with a selection of Georg Frederic Händel’s Cannons Anthems for Pentatone and symphonies by the Bohemian Romantic composer Johann Wenzel Kalliwoda for CPO.

Michael Alexander Willens has guest conducted orchestras in Germany, Israel, the Netherlands, France, Norway, Poland and Brazil.