WDR Symphony Orchestra Cologne

The WDR Symphony Orchestra Cologne (WDR Sinfonieorchester Köln) is a German orchestra based in Cologne. The orchestra was founded in 1947 by Allied occupation authorities after World War II, as the orchestra of Nordwestdeutschen Rundfunk (NWDR; Northwest German Radio). The orchestra later acquired the names of the Cologne Radio Symphony Orchestra and the WDR Symphony Orchestra. The orchestra is 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.

The orchestra's current principal conductor is Jukka-Pekka Saraste, as of the 2010-2011 season.[1]

The orchestra has recorded commercially for such labels as Avie,[2] Hänssler[3][4], Kairos[5] and CPO.[6]

Principal conductors

References

  1. ^ "Jukka-Pekka Saraste neuer Chefdirigent" (Press release). WDR Symphony Orchestra Cologne. 16 November 2008. http://www.wdr.de/radio/orchester/sinfonie/pressespiegel/20081116_neuer_chefdirigent.phtml. Retrieved 2008-12-31. 
  2. ^ Andrew Clements (2003-10-17). "Mahler: Symphony No 3; Höller: Der Ewige Tag, Lipovsek/ WDR Choir and Symphony Cologne/ Bychkov Avie". The Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2003/oct/17/classicalmusicandopera.shopping1?INTCMP=SRCH. Retrieved 2011-02-20. 
  3. ^ Andrew Clements (2006-09-15). "Stravinsky: Symphony in Three Movements; Symphony in C, etc, WDR Radio Choir Cologne / SWRSO Baden-Baden/ Gielen". The Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2006/sep/15/classicalmusicandopera.shopping1?INTCMP=SRCH. Retrieved 2011-02-20. 
  4. ^ Hugh Canning (2009-04-26). "Wagner: Lohengrin - Cast, Choirs, WDR Sinfonieorchester Köln, cond Semyon Bychkov". The Sunday Times. http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/cd_reviews/article6147200.ece. Retrieved 2011-05-01. 
  5. ^ Andrew Clements (2008-08-15). "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. http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2008/aug/15/classicalmusicandopera5?INTCMP=SRCH. Retrieved 2011-02-20. 
  6. ^ Michael Dervan (2011-02-18). "WDR Sinfonieorchester Koln/Howard Griffiths: Ries - Concert Overtures (CPO 777 609-2)". The Irish Times. http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/theticket/2011/0218/1224290086174.html. Retrieved 2011-05-01. 

External links