WDR Symphony Orchestra Cologne

For WDR Radio Orchestra Cologne, see WDR Funkhausorchester.

The WDR Symphony Orchestra Cologne (German: WDR Sinfonieorchester Köln) is a German radio orchestra based in Cologne, where the orchestra mainly performs at two concert halls: the WDR Funkhaus Wallrafplatz and the Kölner Philharmonie.

WDR Symphony Orchestra Cologne
Radio orchestra
Native name	WDR Sinfonieorchester Köln
Former name	Kölner Rundfunk-Sinfonie-Orchester
Founded	1947; 77 years ago (1947)
Location	Cologne, Germany
Concert hall	WDR Funkhaus Wallrafplatz Kölner Philharmonie
Principal conductor	Cristian Măcelaru
Website	Official website

History

Rehearsal of the orchestra with Hans Rosbaud in the Großer Sendesaal (Great Hall) of the WDR, Cologne (1954)

The orchestra was founded in 1947 by Allied occupation authorities after World War II, as the orchestra of Nordwestdeutscher Rundfunk (NWDR; Northwest German Radio), with the name Kölner Rundfunk-Sinfonie-Orchester (Cologne Radio Symphony Orchestra). The orchestra became particularly known for its performances of 20th-century and contemporary music. It has commissioned and premiered works from such composers as Luciano Berio, Hans Werner Henze, Mauricio Kagel, Krzysztof Penderecki, Karlheinz Stockhausen and Bernd Alois Zimmermann.

For the first part of its history, the orchestra did not have a principal conductor, but worked with guest conductors. Christoph von Dohnányi was the first conductor to serve as the orchestra's principal conductor, from 1964 to 1969. In the 1990s, the orchestra changed its name to the WDR Sinfonieorchester (WDR Symphony Orchestra).

In February 2017, Cristian Măcelaru first guest-conducted the orchestra. He returned for three subsequent guest appearances with the orchestra. In May 2019, the orchestra announced the appointment of Măcelaru as its next chief conductor, effective with the 2019–2020 season, with an initial contract of 3 years.^[1] In June 2020, the orchestra announced an extension of Măcelaru's contract through July 2025.^[2] In October 2023, the orchestra announced that Măcelaru is to stand down as its chief conductor at the close of the 2024–2025 season, and to take the title of Artistic Partner for the 2025–2026 season.^[3]

In December 2022, Marie Jacquot first guest-conducted the orchestra. In January 2024, the orchestra announced the appointment of Jacquot as its next chief conductor, effective with the 2026–2027 season, with an initial contract of 4 years.^[4] Jacquot is the first female conductor to be named chief conductor of the WDR Sinfonieorchester Köln.

The orchestra has recorded commercially for such labels as Avie,^[5] Hänssler,^[6][7] Kairos,^[8] CPO,^[9] and Wergo.^[10]

Principal conductors

• Christoph von Dohnányi (1964–1969)
• Zdeněk Mácal (1970–1974)
• Hiroshi Wakasugi (1977–1983)
• Gary Bertini (1983–1991)
• Hans Vonk (1991–1997)
• Semyon Bychkov (1997–2010)
• Jukka-Pekka Saraste (2010–2019)
• Cristian Măcelaru (2019–present)
• Marie Jacquot (designate, effective 2026)

Venues

• 
  WDR Funkhaus Wallrafplatz, Cologne
• 
  Kölner Philharmonie

See also

• Studio for Electronic Music (WDR)
• WDR Funkhausorchester
• WDR Big Band
• WDR Rundfunkchor Köln
• Radio orchestra
• Category:Music commissioned by the WDR Symphony Orchestra Cologne (1)

References

1. "Cristian Măcelaru wird neuer Chefdirigent des WDR Sinfonieorchesters" (Press release). WDR Symphony Orchestra Cologne. 2 May 2018. Archived from the original on 4 May 2018. Retrieved 5 May 2018.
2. "Cristian Măcelaru verlängert als Chefdirigent des WDR Sinfonieorchesters um weitere drei Jahre bis 2025" (Press release). WDR. 1 June 2020. Archived from the original on 12 April 2021. Retrieved 1 June 2020.
3. "Cristian Măcelaru wird Artistic Partner 2025/26" (Press release). WDR. 10 October 2023. Archived from the original on 19 August 2024. Retrieved 18 October 2023.
4. "Marie Jacquot wird neue Chefdirigentin des WDR Sinfonieorchesters" (Press release). WDR Symphony Orchestra Cologne. 25 January 2024. Archived from the original on 19 August 2024. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
5. Andrew Clements (17 October 2003). "Mahler: Symphony No 3; Höller: Der Ewige Tag, Lipovsek/ WDR Choir and Symphony Cologne/ Bychkov Avie". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 19 August 2024. Retrieved 20 February 2011.
6. Andrew Clements (15 September 2006). "Stravinsky: Symphony in Three Movements; Symphony in C, etc, WDR Radio Choir Cologne / SWRSO Baden-Baden/ Gielen". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 19 August 2024. Retrieved 20 February 2011.
7. Hugh Canning (26 April 2009). "Wagner: Lohengrin – Cast, Choirs, WDR Sinfonieorchester Köln, cond Semyon Bychkov". The Sunday Times. Retrieved 1 May 2011.
8. Andrew Clements (15 August 2008). "Classical review: Grisey: Le Temps et l'Ecume; Les Chants de l'Amour; Ensemble S/WDR/Symphony Orch Köln/Pomarico/Schola Heidelberg/Nussbaum / SWRSO Baden-Baden/ Gielen". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 19 August 2024. Retrieved 20 February 2011.
9. Michael Dervan (18 February 2011). "WDR Sinfonieorchester Koln/Howard Griffiths: Ries – Concert Overtures (CPO 777 609-2)". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 5 March 2011. Retrieved 1 May 2011.
10. Kate Molleson (25 August 2016). "Zimmermann: Symphony in One Movement CD review – deadpan and supremely foreboding". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 19 August 2024. Retrieved 4 January 2019.

External links

Media related to WDR Sinfonieorchester Köln at Wikimedia Commons

• Official website (in German)