WDR Sinfonieorchester Köln

During its over 60 years of existence, the WDR Symphony Orchestra Cologne has established itself as one of Europe’s most important radio orchestras. The orchestra’s trademark is its unique degree of stylistic versatility. Through numerous world premieres of works commissioned by the broadcaster WDR, as well as thanks to collaboration with the most outstanding composers of our time, the WDR Symphony Orchestra has made major contributions to music history and to the promotion of contemporary music. Luciano Berio, Hans Werner Henze, Mauricio Kagel, Krzysztof Penderecki, Igor Stravinksy, Karl Heinz Stockhausen and Bernd Alois Zimmermann are some of the many composers whose works the orchestra has premiered. A large number of outstanding contemporary music recordings bear further witness to the WDR Symphony Orchestra’s special status.