WDR Radio Choir Cologne, The repertoire and versatility of the WDR Radio Choir Cologne can hardly be described in all its detail. The spectrum ranges from the music of the Middle Ages to contemporary compositions, from sacred music right through to operetta, from the oratorio performed by the full choir to the vocal ensemble consisting of soloists. A special mention must be given to the choir’s activity in connection with contemporary music: more than 140 premieres and first performances have been part of its programme, among others, Schönberg’s “Moses and Aaron”, Henze’s “Laudes”, Stockhausen’s “Momente”, Nono’s “Il canto sospeso”, Boulez’ “Le Visage Nuptial”, Zimmermann’s “Requiem for a young poet”, Penderecki’s “St. Luke’s Passion”, Xenakis’ “Nuits”, Berio’s “Coro”, Höller’s “The eternal Day”, Eötvös’ “IMA” etc.
The WDR Radio Choir Cologne was founded in 1948 and is a full-time choir with 48 male and female singers, Rupert Huber, who has been working with the WDR Radio Choir since 1986, took up over the position of chief conductor at the beginning of the 2004/2005 season. Former chief conductors were Bernhard Zimmermann, Herbert Schernus, Helmuth Froschauer and most recently, Anton Marik. David Marlow is with the WDR Radio Choir Cologne as choral director since August 2010.
Numerous concert tours have also made the WDR Radio Choir an internationally renowned ensemble (Berlin and Vienna Festival Weeks, Salzburg Festival, Stockholm Festival, Biennale Venice, Flandern Festival; in addition, concerts in Milan, Paris, London, Athens, Rome, Brussels, Geneva, Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Boston, Cleveland, Washington, New York, Tokyo, Osaka). On radio and television, in the studio, in concerts and on CD productions, the WDR Radio Choir Cologne is also to be regularly heard as “the voice” of the WDR Symphony Orchestra Cologne and the WDR Radio Orchestra Cologne.
