Musician of the month: Julia Unterhofer

Which instrument do you play at the Kölner Akademie and when did you start playing?
I have been playing the violin at the Kölner Akademie since May 2024.

What led you to the Kölner Akademie?
One of the voice leading second violinists here is a friend of mine; we studied together in Munich. He asked me to play a concert with the Kölner Akademie as part of the Tage Alter Musik festival in Regensburg. I was delighted about the opportunity to play with this ensemble at the renowned festival in my adopted hometown.

In which other orchestras and ensembles do you play?
Outside of Cologne, I mainly play in orchestras in Southern Germany, such as the Münchener Bach-Orchester, Concerto München, Munich Baroque, as well as other chamber music and ensemble formations in Bavaria, Austria and Italy.

What do you think distinguishes your work with the Kölner Akademie?
I appreciate the orchestra’s very focused and at the same time very positive working atmosphere, the great joy of playing of these incredibly nice musicians, and also the constant refinement of a homogenous and unique sound. Working on partly unknown works is also very enriching.

What do you like to do when you are not playing music?
I love being creative: sewing clothes, knitting, drawing or taking care of my plants. I also enjoy having good food together with loved ones and drinking Italian coffee, Bavarian beer or wine from my hometown.