Biography
Passionate music-making and an unbroken desire to search for the unknown are the hallmarks of Concerto Köln. For almost 40 years, the orchestra with its unique sound is one of the leading ensembles in the field of historical performance practice. Established in Cologne’s musical life and also a regular guest in the world’s music capitals and at prestigeous festivals, Concerto Köln stands for outstanding interpretations of early music.Concerto Köln succeeds in interpreting even well-known repertoire in a way that is ‘as fresh and astonishing as if you were hearing it for the first time’ (Die ZEIT).
The interpretations are developed in a collaborative process after accurate study of the sources. Baroque and early classical works are usually rehearsed under the direction of one of the concertmasters. The focus is always on an approach to the original sound of the period in which the respective works were composed. This passion for the search for historical sound also unites the ensemble in its long-standing fruitful collaboration with its honorary conductor Kent Nagano and violinist Shunske Sato.
The year 2026 is full of musical activities at the major Halls and Festivals in Europe. Concerto Köln appears at the Cologne Philharmonic Hall, Zurich Opera House, Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg, Leipzig Bach Festival, Handel Festival in Halle, Herrenchiemsee Festival, etc. The orchestra will revisit North-America’s San Diego Early Music Society, San Francisco and New York.
Another highlight is the performance of Wagner’s ‘Götterdämmerung’ as part of the major scientific and artistic project ‘The Wagner Cycles’ with Maestro Kent Nagano. Together with the Dresden Festival Orchestra, this production will take the ensemble to Dresden, Bayreuth, Hamburg, Cologne, Paris and Lucerne.
The ensemble is closely linked with the Berlin Classics label since 2008, but also remains active for other labels.
Concerto Köln’s work is made possible by the support of committed sponsors, including the Ministry of Culture and Science of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia, the Kunststiftung NRW, the Goethe-Institut and the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media and the City of Cologne.
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