The authorities in the Allied Occupation of Germany established this 58-member orchestra in 1947. Based in Cologne, Germany, they have gained an international reputation through their concert tours and numerous recordings.
Making their first tour in 1957 they have since toured Europe, Asia, South America and the United States and have performed at acclaimed venues such as the Royal Festival Hall in London, the Suntory Hall in Tokyo and Carnegie Hall in New York.
Through the years they have employed the talents of conductors such as Christoph von Dohnanyi, Hans Vonk, Hiroshi Wakasugi, and Lemuth Froschauer, among others, who have led them in their performances of traditional German compositions right through to championing many modern day contemporary composers.
Famed for their radio and television broadcasts they have also released many CDs including the award winning Bruckner cycle, a complete recording of Strauss’s opera Daphne and Mahler’s Symphony No. 3.
Leroy Anderson recordings
Belle of the Ball
Laser Light 15 248 (CD: Symphonic Pops/Blue Tango)Conductor – Pinchas Steinberg
Blue Tango
Laser Light 15 248 (CD: Symphonic Pops/Blue Tango)
Conductor – Pinchas Steinberg
Bugler’s Holiday
Laser Light 15 248 (CD: Symphonic Pops/Blue Tango)
Conductor – Pinchas Steinberg
Forgotten Dreams
Laser Light 15 248 (CD: Symphonic Pops/Blue Tango)
Conductor – Pinchas Steinberg
The Girl in Satin
Laser Light 15 248 (CD: Symphonic Pops/Blue Tango)
Conductor – Pinchas Steinberg
The Phantom Regiment
Laser Light 15 248 (CD: Symphonic Pops/Blue Tango)
Conductor – Pinchas Steinberg
Saraband
Laser Light 15 248 (CD: Symphonic Pops/Blue Tango)
Conductor – Pinchas Steinberg
Serenata
Laser Light 15 248 (CD: Symphonic Pops/Blue Tango)
Conductor – Pinchas Steinberg
The Syncopated Clock
Laserlight 15 248 (CD: Symphonic Pops/Blue Tango)
Conductor – Pinchas Steinberg
A Trumpeter’s Lullaby
Laserlight 15 248 (CD: Symphonic Pops/Blue Tango)
Conductor – Pinchas Steinberg
Here is the orchestra performing the Overture to Candide by Leonard Bernstein….
Sources:
- http://www1.wdr.de/orchester-und-chor/startseite/index.html
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WDR_Symphony_Orchestra_Cologne
- http://www.carnegiehall.org/textSite/box_office/events/evt_5534.html
- https://www.discogs.com/artist/653372-WDR-Sinfonieorchester-K%C3%B6ln
- http://www.allmusic.com/artist/wdr-sinfonieorchester-k%C3%B6ln-mn0001722110/biography