View source for WDR Symphony Orchestra Cologne

{{Short description|Symphony orchestra of Westdeutscher Rundfunk}}
{{For|WDR Radio Orchestra Cologne|WDR Funkhausorchester}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2024}}
{{Infobox orchestra
| name                = WDR Symphony Orchestra Cologne
| type                = [[Radio orchestra]]
| native_name         = WDR Sinfonieorchester Köln
| image               = 
| caption             = Official logo
| former_name         = Kölner Rundfunk-Sinfonie-Orchester
| location            = [[Cologne]], Germany
| founded             = {{start date and age|1947}}
| concert_hall        = {{ubl|{{nowrap|WDR Funkhaus Wallrafplatz}}|[[Kölner Philharmonie]]}}
| principal_conductor = [[Cristian Măcelaru]]
| website             = {{Official website|www1.wdr.de/orchester-und-chor/sinfonieorchester/}}
}}
{{Infobox YouTube personality
| name                 = ARD Klassik
| channel_handle       = ARDKlassik
| channel_display_name = ARD Klassik
| genre = [[Classical music]]
| subscribers          = 277 thousand<!-- If you change this field, make sure to also set stats_update to the current date -->
| views                = 148 million <!-- If you change this field, make sure to also set stats_update to the current date -->
| years_active         = 2019–present
| stats_update         = 13 April 2025
}}
The '''WDR Symphony Orchestra Cologne''' (German: '''WDR Sinfonieorchester Köln''') is a German [[radio orchestra]] based in [[Cologne]], where the orchestra performs at two main concert halls: the [[Westdeutscher Rundfunk|WDR]] Funkhaus Wallrafplatz and the [[Kölner Philharmonie]].

==History==
[[File:Bundesarchiv B 145 Bild-F001346-0001, Köln, WDR Rundfunkstudio.jpg|thumb|Rehearsal of the orchestra with [[Hans Rosbaud]] in the ''Großer Sendesaal'' (Great Hall) of the WDR, Cologne (1954)]]
The orchestra was founded in 1947 by [[Allies of World War II|Allied]] occupation authorities after World War II, as the orchestra of ''Nordwestdeutscher Rundfunk'' (NWDR; Northwest German Radio), with the name ''Kölner 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 as [[Luciano Berio]], [[Hans Werner Henze]], [[Mauricio Kagel]], [[Krzysztof Penderecki]], [[Karlheinz Stockhausen]] and [[Bernd Alois Zimmermann]]. 

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

In February 2017, [[Cristian Măcelaru]] first 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.<ref>{{cite press release | url=https://www1.wdr.de/orchester-und-chor/sinfonieorchester/chefdirigent-100.html | title=Cristian Măcelaru wird neuer Chefdirigent des WDR Sinfonieorchesters | publisher=WDR Symphony Orchestra Cologne | date=2 May 2018 | access-date=5 May 2018 | archive-date=4 May 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180504011556/https://www1.wdr.de/orchester-und-chor/sinfonieorchester/chefdirigent-100.html | url-status=live }}</ref> In June 2020, the orchestra announced an extension of Măcelaru's contract until July 2025.<ref>{{cite press release | url=https://presse.wdr.de/plounge/wdr/unternehmen/2020/06/20200626_cristian_macelaru_vertragsverlaengerung.html | title=Cristian Măcelaru verlängert als Chefdirigent des WDR Sinfonieorchesters um weitere drei Jahre bis 2025 | publisher=WDR | date=1 June 2020 | access-date=1 June 2020 | archive-date=12 April 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210412012325/https://presse.wdr.de/plounge/wdr/unternehmen/2020/06/20200626_cristian_macelaru_vertragsverlaengerung.html | url-status=live }}</ref>  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.<ref>{{cite press release | url=https://www1.wdr.de/orchester-und-chor/sinfonieorchester/macelaru-artistic-partner-100.html | title=Cristian Măcelaru wird Artistic Partner 2025/26 | publisher=WDR | date=10 October 2023 | accessdate=18 October 2023 | archive-date=19 August 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240819160208/https://www1.wdr.de/orchester-und-chor/sinfonieorchester/macelaru-artistic-partner-100.html | url-status=live }}</ref>

In December 2022, [[Marie Jacquot]] first 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.<ref>{{cite press release | url=https://www1.wdr.de/orchester-und-chor/sinfonieorchester/orchester/chefdirigent/jacquot-chefdirigentin-100.html | title=Marie Jacquot wird neue Chefdirigentin des WDR Sinfonieorchesters | publisher=WDR Symphony Orchestra Cologne | date=25 January 2024 | access-date=25 January 2024 | archive-date=19 August 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240819160550/https://www1.wdr.de/orchester-und-chor/sinfonieorchester/orchester/chefdirigent/jacquot-chefdirigentin-100.html | url-status=live }}</ref>  Jacquot is the first female conductor to be named chief conductor of the ''WDR Sinfonieorchester Köln''.

The orchestra has recorded commercially for such labels as Avie,<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2003/oct/17/classicalmusicandopera.shopping1?INTCMP=SRCH | title=Mahler: Symphony No 3; Höller: Der Ewige Tag, Lipovsek/ WDR Choir and Symphony Cologne/ Bychkov Avie | work=The Guardian | author=Andrew Clements | date=17 October 2003 | access-date=20 February 2011 | archive-date=19 August 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240819160600/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2003/oct/17/classicalmusicandopera.shopping1?INTCMP=SRCH | url-status=live }}</ref> [[Hänssler]],<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2006/sep/15/classicalmusicandopera.shopping1?INTCMP=SRCH | title=Stravinsky: Symphony in Three Movements; Symphony in C, etc, WDR Radio Choir Cologne / SWRSO Baden-Baden/ Gielen | work=The Guardian | author=Andrew Clements | date=15 September 2006 | access-date=20 February 2011 | archive-date=19 August 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240819160604/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2006/sep/15/classicalmusicandopera.shopping1?INTCMP=SRCH | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/cd_reviews/article6147200.ece | title=Wagner: Lohengrin – Cast, Choirs, WDR Sinfonieorchester Köln, cond Semyon Bychkov | work=The Sunday Times | author=Hugh Canning | date=26 April 2009 | access-date=1 May 2011}}{{dead link|date=September 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> Kairos,<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2008/aug/15/classicalmusicandopera5?INTCMP=SRCH | title=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 | work=The Guardian | author=Andrew Clements | date=15 August 2008 | access-date=20 February 2011 | archive-date=19 August 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240819160558/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2008/aug/15/classicalmusicandopera5?INTCMP=SRCH | url-status=live }}</ref> CPO,<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/theticket/2011/0218/1224290086174.html | title=WDR Sinfonieorchester Koln/Howard Griffiths: Ries – Concert Overtures (CPO 777 609-2) | work=The Irish Times | author=Michael Dervan | date=18 February 2011 | access-date=1 May 2011 | archive-date=5 March 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110305220533/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/theticket/2011/0218/1224290086174.html | url-status=live }}</ref> and Wergo.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2016/aug/25/zimmermann-symphony-in-one-movement-review-wdr-orchestra-cologne-peter-hirsch | title=Zimmermann: Symphony in One Movement CD review – deadpan and supremely foreboding | work=The Guardian | author=Kate Molleson | date=25 August 2016 | access-date=4 January 2019 | archive-date=19 August 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240819160603/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2016/aug/25/zimmermann-symphony-in-one-movement-review-wdr-orchestra-cologne-peter-hirsch | url-status=live }}</ref>

==Principal conductors==
* [[Christoph von Dohnányi]] (1964–1969)
* [[Zdeněk Mácal]] (1970–1974)
* [[Hiroshi Wakasugi]] (1977–1983)
* [[Gary Bertini]] (1983–1991)
* [[Hans Vonk (conductor)|Hans Vonk]] (1991–1997)
* [[Semyon Mayevich Bychkov|Semyon Bychkov]] (1997–2010)
* [[Jukka-Pekka Saraste]] (2010–2019)
* [[Cristian Măcelaru]] (2019–present)
* [[Marie Jacquot]] (designate, effective 2026)

==Venues==
{{Gallery
|File:WDR Funkhaus Wallrafplatz - Peter Friedrich Schneider (7101-03).jpg
|WDR Funkhaus Wallrafplatz, Cologne
|File:Philharmonie Köln - Aussenansichten-9909.jpg
|[[Kölner Philharmonie]]
}}

==See also==
* [[Studio for Electronic Music (WDR)]]
* [[WDR Funkhausorchester]]
* [[WDR Big Band]]
* [[WDR Rundfunkchor Köln]]
* [[Radio orchestra]]
* {{clc|Music commissioned by the WDR Symphony Orchestra Cologne}}

== References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category inline}}
* {{Official website|https://www1.wdr.de/orchester-und-chor/sinfonieorchester/}} {{in lang|de}}
* {{YouTube|h=ARDKlassik|ARD Klassik}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:WDR Symphony Orchestra Cologne| ]]
[[Category:Westdeutscher Rundfunk]]
[[Category:German symphony orchestras]]
[[Category:Orchestras in Cologne]]
[[Category:Musical groups established in 1947]]
[[Category:German radio orchestras]]
[[Category:1947 establishments in Germany]]