Wikipedia

WDR Symphony Orchestra Cologne

For WDR Radio Orchestra Cologne, seeWDR Funkhausorchester.

TheWDR Symphony Orchestra Cologne(German:WDR Sinfonieorchester Köln) is a Germanradio orchestrabased inCologne,where the orchestra performs at two main concert halls: theWDRFunkhaus Wallrafplatz and theKölner Philharmonie.

WDR Symphony Orchestra Cologne
Radio orchestra
Native nameWDR Sinfonieorchester Köln
Former nameKölner Rundfunk-Sinfonie-Orchester
Founded1947;78 years ago(1947)
LocationCologne,Germany
Concert hall
Principal conductorCristian Măcelaru
WebsiteOfficial website

History

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Rehearsal of the orchestra withHans Rosbaudin theGroßer Sendesaal(Great Hall) of the WDR, Cologne (1954)

The orchestra was founded in 1947 byAlliedoccupation authorities after World War II, as the orchestra ofNordwestdeutscher Rundfunk(NWDR; Northwest German Radio), with the nameKölner 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 asLuciano Berio,Hans Werner Henze,Mauricio Kagel,Krzysztof Penderecki,Karlheinz StockhausenandBernd Alois Zimmermann.

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

In February 2017,Cristian Măcelarufirst 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 until 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 Jacquotfirst guest-conducted the orchestra. In January 2024, the orchestra announced the appointment of Jacquot as its next chief conductor, with effect from the 2026–2027 season, with an initial contract of 4 years.[4]Jacquot is the first female conductor to be named chief conductor of theWDR 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

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Venues

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See also

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References

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  1. ^"Cristian Măcelaru wird neuer Chefdirigent des WDR Sinfonieorchesters"(Press release). WDR Symphony Orchestra Cologne. 2 May 2018.Archivedfrom the original on 4 May 2018.Retrieved5 May2018.
  2. ^"Cristian Măcelaru verlängert als Chefdirigent des WDR Sinfonieorchesters um weitere drei Jahre bis 2025"(Press release). WDR. 1 June 2020.Archivedfrom the original on 12 April 2021.Retrieved1 June2020.
  3. ^"Cristian Măcelaru wird Artistic Partner 2025/26"(Press release). WDR. 10 October 2023.Archivedfrom the original on 19 August 2024.Retrieved18 October2023.
  4. ^"Marie Jacquot wird neue Chefdirigentin des WDR Sinfonieorchesters"(Press release). WDR Symphony Orchestra Cologne. 25 January 2024.Archivedfrom the original on 19 August 2024.Retrieved25 January2024.
  5. ^Andrew Clements (17 October 2003)."Mahler: Symphony No 3; Höller: Der Ewige Tag, Lipovsek/ WDR Choir and Symphony Cologne/ Bychkov Avie".The Guardian.Archivedfrom the original on 19 August 2024.Retrieved20 February2011.
  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.Archivedfrom the original on 19 August 2024.Retrieved20 February2011.
  7. ^Hugh Canning (26 April 2009)."Wagner: Lohengrin – Cast, Choirs, WDR Sinfonieorchester Köln, cond Semyon Bychkov".The Sunday Times.Retrieved1 May2011.[dead link‍]
  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.Archivedfrom the original on 19 August 2024.Retrieved20 February2011.
  9. ^Michael Dervan (18 February 2011)."WDR Sinfonieorchester Koln/Howard Griffiths: Ries – Concert Overtures (CPO 777 609-2)".The Irish Times.Archivedfrom the original on 5 March 2011.Retrieved1 May2011.
  10. ^Kate Molleson (25 August 2016)."Zimmermann: Symphony in One Movement CD review – deadpan and supremely foreboding".The Guardian.Archivedfrom the original on 19 August 2024.Retrieved4 January2019.
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