Directly after completing its term at the LUCERNE FESTIVAL this summer, the musicians of the Mahler Chamber Orchestra (MCO) will travel to their residence in Cologne. Here, the orchestra will repeat a concert programme from Lucerne under the baton of George Benjamin, and, with several other activities, will also play a major role in the Open Day at the Cologne Philharmonic.

On Sunday, 30 August, the Cologne Philharmonic will open its gates and offer visitors a wide variety of activities for young and old. From 11:00 to 17:00, the guests can look behind the scenes, visit an open rehearsal, hear many different concerts, and much more.

The day starts at 11:15 with an open rehearsal: the MCO, conducted by George Benjamin, and featuring oboist Heinz Holliger. With this rehearsal, which presents an excerpt of the evening’s concert programme, the ensemble invites visitors to take a peek into its daily work. The orchestra will also be participating in a Meet the Artist event, where audiences can ask questions and chat with the musicians.

Later, the visitors can experience a different side of the MCO: at 13:15, a chamber music ensemble will perform the Brahms Quintet for Clarinet and String Quartet.

An MCO staff member will be on hand to receive visitors at an MCO stand in the foyer of the Philharmonic throughout the day.

At 20:00, the MCO’s first symphonic concert in the Cologne Philharmonic will begin – a fitting end to an eventful day.


Chamber Music at the Open Day

JOHANNES BRAHMS Quintet for Clarinet and String Quartet in B minor op. 115
Clarinet Jaan Bossier / Violin I Cindy Albracht / Violin II Mette Tjaerby Korneliusen / Viola Alexandre Razera / Violoncello Raphael Bell