The master of programming

Dirk Altmann, clarinet & arrangements

Musician | Teacher | Arranger | Born in Hannover (Germany) | Studies at Musikhochschule Hannover. Student of Prof. Helmuth Pallushek | 1983 – 1985 Member of the Herbert-von-Karajan Stiftung of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra. | Since 1985 Principal Soloclarinet of the SWR Symphony Orchestra Stuttgart
Ensembles: Ludwig Chamber Players | STUTTGART WINDS | newers.ensemble | Duo with Mako Okamoto, piano
Equipment: JOSEF Woodwind Manufacture | Ligaphone, Paris
Album Label: TACET | Hänssler Classic | SWRmusic

Dirk likes to tinker around with programs. And if there is no suitable literature, it will be arranged. “Mostly” to the delight of everyone involved 😉 Contemporary music in our programs is very important to him.

Dirk Altmann was born in Hanover and has worked with virtually all the great maestros of the 20th. He plays with the Berlin Philharmonic, the Bavarian State Opera, and the Munich Philharmonic.
Since 1985, he has been principal clarinetist of the SWR Symphony Orchestra in Stuttgart, where his time with Sir Roger Norrington had a lasting impact on him.
His keen interest in contemporary music is underscored by collaborations with composers such as Heinz Holliger, Peter Eötvös, and Helmuth Lachenmann.
Albums have been released by TACET and SWR Music.
Dirk Altmann is founding member of the Ludwig Chamber Players, newears.ensemble and the Stuttgart Winds.
His arrangement of Sergei Prokofiev’s Vision Fugitive was nominated for the International Music Award.
As a duo with pianist Professor Mako Okamoto, they were awarded the Aoyama Music Award in 2024.
Dirk Altmann plays instruments made by the Josef Woodwind Manufactory in Okinawa.

Favorite pieces from the LCP repertoire: Gideon Klein PARTITA arranged for septet, Schubert octet, Johann Strauss Wildfeuer polka