Role

:

Ensemble

Period

:

Modern

Genre

:

Opera

 

The Orchester des Westdeutschen Rundfunks, also known as the WDR Symphony Orchestra, is a classical music ensemble based in Cologne, Germany. The orchestra was founded in 1947 by the Westdeutscher Rundfunk (WDR), a public broadcasting corporation in Germany. The WDR Symphony Orchestra has had several principal conductors over the years, including Otto Klemperer, Christoph von Dohnányi, and Semyon Bychkov. The current principal conductor is Jukka-Pekka Saraste, who has been with the orchestra since 2010. The orchestra has a core of around 120 musicians, and performs a wide range of classical music repertoire, from Baroque to contemporary music. The orchestra has also collaborated with many renowned soloists and conductors, including Martha Argerich, Lang Lang, and Daniel Barenboim. One of the highlights of the WDR Symphony Orchestra's history was its performance at the 1956 Salzburg Festival, where it performed Beethoven's Ninth Symphony under the baton of Otto Klemperer. The performance was widely acclaimed and helped establish the orchestra's reputation as one of the leading orchestras in Europe. The WDR Symphony Orchestra has also won numerous awards and accolades over the years. In 2014, the orchestra won the International Classical Music Award for its recording of Mahler's Symphony No. 7, conducted by Jukka-Pekka Saraste. The orchestra has also been nominated for several Grammy Awards, including Best Orchestral Performance and Best Classical Album. In addition to its regular concert schedule, the WDR Symphony Orchestra is also involved in educational and outreach programs, including concerts for children and young people, and collaborations with local schools and universities. Overall, the Orchester des Westdeutschen Rundfunks has established itself as one of the premier classical music ensembles in Europe, with a rich history of performances and recordings that have earned it international acclaim and recognition.

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