Wolfgang Harrer was born in Vienna in 1953 and started playing the piano at the age of six. When he began to study conducting at the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna, Wolfgang Harrer was taught by the legendary Hans Swarowsky. After Mr Swarowsky’s death, Wolfgang Harrer continued his studies with Karl Österreicher and, after a long break, had lessons with Otmar Suitner, who at the time was the chief conductor and artistic director of the Berlin State Opera. In the winter of 1991, Wolfgang Harrer assisted the chief conductor and artistic director Hans Wallat for two months with the German Oper am Rhein in Düsseldorf.

In 2009 he took charge of the "Turkmen-European Symphony Orchestra" as artistic director and conductor.

He has performed as a guest with many orchestras including the Chinese Radio Symphony Orchestra, the Orchestra of the Budapest State Opera, the National Chamber Orchestra of Baku, Azerbaijan, and various opera houses. His repertoire ranges from baroque to modern music, and he does not wish to specialize on any particular style or period. As he is Viennese, he gives great importance to the Strauß family’s music and its tasteful interpretation.

Wolfgang Harrer enjoys supporting young musicians, be they instrumentalists, singers or conductors. He has recorded CDs with Eldar Saparayev, a Kazakh cellist, and Olivia De Prato, an Austrian Italian violinist, and has assisted many young singers in making concert appearances. Wolfgang Harrer founded a course and competition for the purpose of supporting young conductors.