Conductor Michael Alexander Willens is unusual in that he has spent almost all of his adult career in Europe. In 1996, Willens settled in Cologne when he was appointed music director of the Kölner Akademie, a historical performance group, and he has remained in that position. In 2006, he made his recording debut with the group, leading a performance of the little-known St. Matthew Passion of Johann Valentin Meder. Willens has led the Kölner Akademie in numerous recordings, including a complete cycle of the Mozart piano concertos with fortepianist Ronald Brautigam. In 2022, Willens issued a recording of Telemann's Johannis-Oratorium, TVWV 1:602/1216. By that time, his recording catalog comprised well over 60 albums.