The WDR Sinfonieorchester, a paragon of German orchestral tradition, captivates audiences with its masterful interpretations and innovative repertoire. Founded in 1947, this Cologne-based ensemble stands as a beacon of musical excellence, seamlessly blending classical masterpieces with contemporary works under the auspices of the West German Broadcasting Corporation.
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Concerts featuring WDR Sinfonieorchester in season 2024/25 or later
Rachmaninoff's second piano concerto, known for its emotional depth and technical demands, is tackled by the award-winning 20-year-old pianist Yunchan Lim. Following this, jazz star Wynton Marsalis demonstrates his creative power as a composer within a classical music setting.
Rachmaninoff's second piano concerto, known for its emotional depth and technical demands, is tackled by the award-winning 20-year-old pianist Yunchan Lim. Following this, jazz star Wynton Marsalis demonstrates his creative power as a composer within a classical music setting.
Experience a small break from everyday life at the Cologne Philharmonic Hall – inspiring, touching, authentic. A place full of music, for an unusual lunch break, a break from the city noise or simply a break from everyday life. The Philharmonic Lunch is made possible by KölnMusik together with the WDR Symphony Orchestra and the Gürzenich Orchestra Cologne.
Exceptional violinist Arabella Steinbacher inspired Luxembourgish composer Georges Lentz to create an ethereal violin concerto. Its sound expands through the Philharmonie like starlight under the Australian Outback sky, Lentz's composing location. Olga Neuwirth's "Masaot" delves into a river of memories and associations, music as both home and foreign land. Georges Aperghis' eighth Etude ignites a new celebration of orchestral virtuosity.
German premiere.
The theme "Man and Fate" has fascinated many composers. Beethoven, for example, in his music for Goethe's drama "Egmont", in which a hero tries to achieve his country's freedom but tragically fails. In his fifth symphony, Tchaikovsky illuminates the tragedy of his emotional distress: A dark, murmuring motif runs through the work, for the composer an expression of "complete submission to fate." In between, a pearl of romantic concert literature yet to be discovered by many: Immediately after taking up his post as Düsseldorf music director, Schumann euphorically wrote his Cello Concerto - today a far too rarely performed work.
When the significant French composer and conductor Pierre Boulez passed away in 2016, Austrian composer Olga Neuwirth recalled her mentor in an obituary, remembering his way of "looking at music in a completely different way". Neuwirth composed a new piece for orchestra and electronics, electro-acoustic sounds that also repeatedly interested Boulez. The WDR Symphony Orchestra, conducted by guest conductor Jonathan Nott, performs Boulez's shimmering and floating sound portrait of the great symbolist poet Stéphane Mallarmé, "Pli selon pli".
Alexandre Kantorow, winner of the 2019 Tchaikovsky Piano Competition, performs in Cologne with a grand romantic repertoire. Liszt's second piano concerto, a dramatic interplay of poetry and virtuosity, takes center stage. Schumann's "Rhenish Symphony" and Wagner's rarely heard "Faust Overture" complete the program.
Alexandre Kantorow, winner of the 2019 Tchaikovsky Piano Competition, performs a grand romantic repertoire in Cologne. Featuring Liszt's virtuosic Piano Concerto No. 2 alongside Schumann's "Rhenish" Symphony and Wagner's rarely-heard Faust Overture.
Experience a small break from everyday life at the Cologne Philharmonic Hall – inspiring, touching, authentic. A place full of music, for an unusual lunch break, a break from the city noise or simply a break from everyday life. The Philharmonic Lunch is made possible by KölnMusik together with the WDR Symphony Orchestra and the Gürzenich Orchestra Cologne.
Composer Fanny Hensel's work was long overshadowed by her famous brother Felix Mendelssohn, receiving proper recognition far too late. Robert Schumann's violin concerto suffered a similar fate, deemed a failed attempt and shelved by performers, with its release forbidden for 100 years. Today it's in the repertoire, and Brahms's Symphony No. 1 will form an impressive closing piece for the evening.
Composer Fanny Hensel's work was long overshadowed by her famous brother Felix Mendelssohn, receiving proper recognition far too late. Robert Schumann's violin concerto suffered a similar fate, deemed a failed attempt and shelved by performers, with its release forbidden for 100 years. Today it's in the repertoire, and Brahms's Symphony No. 1 will form an impressive closing piece for the evening.
Composer Fanny Hensel's work was long overshadowed by her famous brother Felix Mendelssohn, receiving proper recognition far too late. Robert Schumann's violin concerto suffered a similar fate, deemed a failed attempt and shelved by performers, with its release forbidden for 100 years. Today it's in the repertoire, and Brahms's Symphony No. 1 will form an impressive closing piece for the evening.
Composer Fanny Hensel's work was long overshadowed by her famous brother Felix Mendelssohn, receiving proper recognition far too late. Robert Schumann's violin concerto suffered a similar fate, deemed a failed attempt and shelved by performers, with its release forbidden for 100 years. Today it's in the repertoire, and Brahms's Symphony No. 1 will form an impressive closing piece for the evening.
Experience a small break from everyday life at the Cologne Philharmonic Hall – inspiring, touching, authentic. A place full of music, for an unusual lunch break, a break from the city noise or simply a break from everyday life. The Philharmonic Lunch is made possible by KölnMusik together with the WDR Symphony Orchestra and the Gürzenich Orchestra Cologne.
Das WDR Sinfonieorchester gestaltet in diesem Jahr das Benefizkonzert des Bundespräsidenten. Die Konzertreihe, mit deren Erlöse soziale und kulturelle Organisationen unterstützt werden, wird seit 1988 alljährlich ausgerichtet – von 1988 bis 2005 in Berlin und seit 2006 reihum in den Bundesländern. Bundespräsident Frank-Walter Steinmeier und Ministerpräsident Hendrik Wüst haben entschieden, mit dem Erlös des Konzerts 2025 die Elly Heuss-Knapp-Stiftung – Deutsches Müttergenesungswerk zu unterstützen. Mit Vorsorge- und Rehabilitationsmaßnahmen möchte die Stiftung Mütter, Väter und pflegende Angehörige in ihrer Gesundheit stärken. Alle Eintrittskarten für das Benefizkonzert des Bundespräsidenten enthalten eine Spende für die Elly Heuss-Knapp-Stiftung.Musikalisch schlägt das Konzert in diesem Jahr einen bunten Bogen von Europa bis in die USA durch verschiedene Kulturen. George Enescu brachte den Schwung rumänischer Volksmusik in die Klassik, Maurice Ravel gelang mit großem Farbenreichtum ein sinnlich-exotischer Ausflug in die Märchenwelt von Tausendundeiner Nacht. Auf atemberaubende Weise verdichtet Erich Korngold verschiedenste Klangfarben und Stimmungen in seinem Cellokonzert, welches ursprünglich als Hollywood-Filmmusik komponiert wurde. Der Ausklang kommt aus den Straßen New Yorks mit Leonard Bernsteins lateinamerikanisch inspirierten Rhythmen aus der »West Side Story«.Als Gäste des WDR Sinfonieorchesters und seines Chefdirigenten Cristian Măcelaru sind die ägyptische Sopranistin Fatma Said und Spitzen-Cellist Sebastian Hornung zu erleben. Durch das Konzert führt Moderatorin Siham El-Maimouni. Im Anschluss an das Konzert bitten Bundespräsident Frank-Walter Steinmeier und Ministerpräsident Hendrik Wüst alle Konzertgäste zu einer Begegnung in die Foyers der Kölner Philharmonie.
Writer Händl Klaus and composer Hèctor Parra present "A Song of the Earth" for our time. Olivia and Bruno trudge through a glowing, dead landscape, their sung and spoken words forming an impossible dialogue. Kaija Saariaho's clarinet concerto, inspired by medieval tapestries, features a soloist who seems to "wander" through the concert hall.
While rarely performed in Germany, Edward Elgar's oratorio "The Dream of Gerontius" follows Handel's "Messiah" and Mendelssohn's "Elijah" in popularity in England. This masterpiece reveals the true side of the English romanticist, known mainly for the "Pomp and Circumstance" marches. The monumental work follows a soul's journey to heaven after death, guided by a guardian angel, until it beholds God's glory.
While rarely performed in Germany, Edward Elgar's oratorio "The Dream of Gerontius" follows Handel's "Messiah" and Mendelssohn's "Elijah" in popularity in England. This masterpiece reveals the true side of the English romanticist, known mainly for the "Pomp and Circumstance" marches. The monumental work follows a soul's journey to heaven after death, guided by a guardian angel, until it beholds God's glory.
In 1995, 24-year-old Thomas Adès premiered his opera 'Powder her Face,' satirizing the extravagant life of an upper-class lady. His music blends avant-garde and ironic quotes. Rachmaninoff's 'Symphonic Dances,' a farewell piece, is a symphony reflecting moments of his rich life as a composer and virtuoso.
The WDR Symphony Orchestra's "Happy Hour" presents Russian contrasts: Anatoly Lyadov's refined soundscape "The Enchanted Lake," depicting cold, fantastical nature, followed by Igor Stravinsky's "Petrushka," a burlesque plunging into the vibrant life of a Russian fair, featuring mysteriously awakened puppets. Marie Jacquot, recently elected chief conductor from 2026/2027, leads the orchestra.
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