February promises an eclectic mix of musical events at the Kölner Philharmonie, featuring world-renowned artists and diverse genres. From the profound orchestral performances of Tchaikovsky’s fifth symphony to the vibrant flamenco rhythms of Tomatito, and the rising stars of classical music like Matilda Lloyd, each day brings a new spectacle. Audiences can relish the dynamic atmosphere, experience a sound laboratory adventure, and even delve into the poetic world of Brecht with Lars Eidinger. This month-long celebration of music offers something unforgettable for every musical palate.

A Symphony of Sounds: Discover the Extraordinary February Events at the Kölner Philharmonie

The Kölner Philharmonie has orchestrated a musical feast at the Museum Ludwig in Cologne, Germany. Spanning from orchestral masterpieces to flamenco rhythms, this series of events promises an unforgettable experience. From Tchaikovsky's emotive symphonies to the vibrant flamenco beats of Tomatito, and the groundbreaking performances by rising stars and seasoned maestros, there's something for every music enthusiast. Join us as we explore each captivating event, celebrating the artists, their innovative performances, and the cultural impact they bring to the stage.

A Symphony of Events: Cologne's Musical Extravaganza

The Kölner Philharmonie brings forth an eclectic collection of performances, showcasing a blend of orchestral masterpieces, chamber music, and solo performances. From the virtuosic renditions by Vikingur Olafsson in Brahms' Piano Concerto to the expressive vocals of Angel Blue with Yannick Nézet-Séguin, this season promises enriching experiences for music lovers. Set against the backdrop of the Museum Ludwig in Köln, Germany, the events span genres and eras, offering audiences a chance to revel in classical compositions and contemporary interpretations.

Versatile Harmonies: Exploring the Rich Tapestry of Music at Kölner Philharmonie

This April, the Kölner Philharmonie, in collaboration with the Museum Ludwig, is set to host a series of spectacular events that promise to take audiences on a captivating musical journey. From the iconic film scores of Hans Zimmer and John Williams to the golden age of Motown, and from Charlie Cunningham's soulful melodies to the innovative blend of hip hop and classical music by Samy Deluxe, the lineup is as diverse as it is enthralling. Adding to the mix are performances by the Federal Youth Orchestra, Lakecia Benjamin's jazz prowess, and classical masterpieces that resonate with the spirit of spring.

Kölner Philharmonie's Diverse April: A Melodic Journey Through Time

Embark on a musical journey through the Kölner Philharmonie's diverse and captivating line-up of performances. From the intricate harmonies of chamber music to the grandeur of orchestral pieces, this series showcases the brilliance of world-renowned artists. Highlights include the Ebony Quartet's exploration of complex landscapes, Kirill Petrenko's soulful rendition of Mahler's Symphony No. 9, and the poignant storytelling of Britten's War Requiem. Experience the depth and dynamism of classical music like never before.

Exploring the Rich Tapestry of Music at the Kölner Philharmonie Events

The Kölner Philharmonie is set to present a series of concerts that promise a rich tapestry of musical experiences from across the globe. From the passionate tango rhythms of Argentina to the intricate modernism of Elliott Carter and Pierre Boulez, and the timeless symphonies of Brahms and Shostakovich, these events offer an unparalleled celebration of diverse musical traditions. Join us as we delve into the heart of these performances and explore the artistry behind the music that will fill Museum Ludwig, Köln.

A Symphony of Cultures: The Cologne Concert Series You Can't Miss

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Fortuna Ehrenfeld

Museum Ludwig

For more than thirty years, the seven greats have been moving with the greatest of ease and their sparkling wind instruments back and forth between Johann Strauss and Frank Sinatra, between Shostakovich and Prince, and also passionately from Schubert to their chosen relatives in Queen. But Strauss - who was fervently admired by Brahms, Wagner and Verdi, as well as the craftsmen and the girls from the suburbs (and even Gershwin) - was the forefather of nonchalant flirting between the chairs. Strauss was the first to produce hits by the meter. He hired an arranger so he could work faster and realized that he and his brothers could reproduce his sound worldwide. He was the first to circumvent the E and U and became a mass phenomenon as the King of the Waltz - the cash registers never rang sweeter.

Mnozil Brass

The Dutch singer and songwriter is back on stage live with his new program »Achtzig«!

Herman van Veen

Bläck Fööss concert 2025

Hohner Classic 2025

No other musical in the world is as magical as CATS. Andrew Lloyd Webber's masterpiece combines thrilling music, sensational dance and spectacular costumes to create a work of art with incomparable imaginativeness and elegance. CATS has won the Laurence Olivier Award, seven Tony Awards and three Drama Desk Awards and has broken all records: from London's West End to New York's Broadway, with over 73 million viewers worldwide, CATS is a celebrated classic.

CATS

She was the Queen of Soul and probably one of the greatest voices of all time: Aretha Franklin. During her career spanning over 50 years, she achieved 17 top ten placements and 20 number 1 hits, and her song "Respect" also became the anthem of the African-American liberation and women's movement. For many generations to come, she is still considered a style-defining icon and musical role model. The makers of the show The Sound of Classic Motown are now dedicating the unique tribute show Respect to the exceptional singer and her greatest hits.

RESPECT – The Aretha Franklin Tribute Show

STARDUST – new inspired | From Beethoven to Bono to Bowie

In their breathtaking shows, YAMATO – The Drummers of Japan combine tradition with modernity, as well as unbridled passion with astonishing harmony and top athletic performance. The mix is ​​perfected by the unmistakable humor with which the troupe has conquered every audience for over 30 years. With more than 4,500 performances in 54 countries, the Taiko virtuosos have already played their way into the hearts of over 8 million viewers. With »Hito no Chikara« they are now continuing their unique success story.

YAMATO – The Drummers of Japan

The indestructible Element of Crime are playing again. Delighted but unimpressed by the huge success of Charly Hübner's film about them, they will be coming to the concert halls and open-air stages of Germany and Austria in 2025 to do what they love: playing their songs, and we can already think about what they will be. In any case, their unmistakable sound between folk and avant-garde rock, their unique songwriting will have an impact, and everyone will leave happier than when they arrived.

Element of Crime

For many music lovers, he is the grandmaster: Grigory Sokolov. His name alone is captivating, as he stands for exceptional piano playing. His sound, his nuances, his ability to penetrate works make him an exceptional artist.

Grigory Sokolov

In 2025, the band will celebrate its 30th anniversary! And erdmöbel is giving everyone the opportunity to celebrate with them and to rediscover their varied work, the great and most moving songs.

erdmöbel and the Kaiser Quartett

On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the University of Music and Dance, the World Doctors Orchestra with the student choirs from Cologne and Bonn presents a concert in aid of Kinderherzen e. V. / Help for children with heart disease nationally and internationally.

World Doctors Orchestra

With his energetic and intuitive saxophone playing, Chris Potter is one of the most influential jazz musicians on the American scene. He has also made a name for himself as a composer with his skilled arranging technique. Chris Potter comes from Chicago and gave his first professional concert at the age of 13. By his early 20s, the saxophonist was already playing with greats such as Charles Mingus, Red Rodney and John Scofield. The tide has now turned and jazz greats are coming to him - Potter recorded his last CD with Brad Mehldau, John Patitucci and Brian Blade. The musical direction of this project is by arranger and pianist Mike Holober.

WDR Big Band feat. Chris Potter

And the winner is… In this concert, the WDR Funkhausorchester focuses on Oscar-winning film music. Breathtaking suspense, unforgettable adventures and, of course, great emotions with unforgettable soundtracks by legendary composers such as John Williams, Alan Menken and John Barry – a magical evening that will make the hearts of all film fans beat faster.

The Magic Of Movies

Cologne's celebrated rock band Kasalla will repeat an extraordinary musical project in 2025: »Nit esu laut«.

Kasalla

Gürzenich Orchestra Cologne: »In the mood for classical music?!«

Fabulous

Gustav Mahler and Arnold Schönberg met for the first time in Vienna in 1903. A friendly friendship immediately developed. These pioneers of modernism meet again in the program of the Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin. The Korean Unsuk Chin will perform a concert suite from her successful opera "Alice in Wonderland."

Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin | Cornelius Meister

In his work "The Creation", Joseph Haydn brings to life in an impressive way the creation and miraculous origins of the world and mankind described in the Bible. The predominantly beautiful things that Haydn illuminates in his oratorio, which premiered in Vienna in 1798, seem almost utopian to us today. While we are surrounded by crises and environmental disasters today, Haydn's wonderful music can uplift us with its wit and virtuosity and remind us of the reason for our existence.

Rodenkirchen Chamber Choir and Orchestra

Is Shostakovich facing further disaster? Three days after the premiere of his tenth symphony, the Soviet Composers' Union is discussing whether the work is too modern, too old-fashioned or too critical - after all, the composer had been ostracized by Soviet cultural policy a few years earlier. But the committee missed the grim satire with which Shostakovich ironically expressed his anger at Stalinism. Brahms' Violin Concerto, on the other hand, is presented in a sunnier light - a true celebration of the violin sound in close integration with the orchestra and a rhythmically well-seasoned "Hungarian" finale, performed by world star Hilary Hahn. This program was put together by Cristian Măcelaru, who is using this evening to celebrate his departure as chief conductor of the WDR Symphony Orchestra after six years.

Masterful – Măcelaru & Hilary Hahn

The Frenchman Pierre Boulez and the American Elliott Carter met for the first time in Paris in the early 1950s. A friendship for life immediately developed between these composers. The Ensemble Musikfabrik and Bas Wiegers now commemorate these two important composers of modernism with cult pieces of new music. And one of the soloists is pianist Pierre-Laurent Aimard, who owes a lot to Boulez and Carter.

Ensemble Musikfabrik

On October 25, 1825, Johann Strauss (son) was born into a musical family near Vienna and, during his lifetime, became the first pop star in music history as the “Waltz King.”

Strauss 200 - Alles Walzer!

Immerse yourself in the lively and passionate music of Argentina - with favorite pieces by Astor Piazzolla and the extraordinary Tango Nuevo setting of mass texts by the composer and pianist Martín Palmeri. Under the direction of the true Argentinian Mariano Chiacchiarini, the great voices of the WDR Radio Choir and soloist Agnes Lipka meet the playful string players of the WDR Funkhaus Orchestra. Dream of the sound of the streets of Buenos Aires, revel in the passion of tango with the sounds of the bandoneon - a real summer festival for the senses!

Misa Tango: Argentine Fire

For four decades, the young singers led by choir director Michael Kokott have delighted their audience with joy and dedication. The diverse program ranges from a cappella arrangements of pop songs to gospels and Cologne sounds. In the two-hour program, the ensemble invites you to listen and sing along.

Cologne Youth Choir St. Stephan

Jugend musiziert

Next season the Organist Iveta Apkalna and the Alinde Quartett have played in their philharmonic »Porträt«-Konzerten begeistert. Zum Abschluss präsentieren sich Organistin und Quartett nun zusammen. Quer durch die Musikgeschichte geht es dabei – bis hin zu a new Werk, das der mit dem »Hindemith-Preis« ausgezeichnete Regensburger SJ Hanke für Orgel und Streichquartett geschrieben hat.

Iveta Apkalna & Alinde Quartet

Orchestra Academy of the Gürzenich Orchestra | Ustina Dubitsky

The organ in the Cologne Philharmonic Hall has 5,394 pipes. Wow! Exceptional organist Iveta Apkalna and presenter and organ lover Harald Schmidt invite all music detectives aged six and over to explore this exciting instrument with its many registers. It will be a real organ thriller!

children's concert

Out of the Box: When Abel Selaocoe steps on stage, there is only music - beyond all genre boundaries and expectations. Classical and world music merge in his virtuoso performance of classical cello playing, improvisation, singing and body percussion to create a unique musical experience.

Abel Selaocoe & Ensemble Resonanz

The viola emerges from the depths of the orchestra into the spotlight much less often than its high-pitched sister. The Englishman William Walton gave it the opportunity for a particularly grand performance with his concert. The warm tone of the solo instrument nestles here against a colorful orchestral part that can also be heard in the other two contributions to the program - the sparkling sound of Lyadov's "enchanted lake" or Stravinsky's ballet about the love-struck fairground puppet Petrushka. These fairy-tale sounds are brought to life by Marie Jacquot, designated chief conductor of the WDR Symphony Orchestra.

Fairytale Sounds – Marie Jacquot

Experience your little break from everyday life in the Cologne Philharmonic Hall - inspiring, touching, authentic. A place full of music, for an unusual lunch break, a break from the noises of the city or just a break from everyday life.

PhilharmonieLunch

Hélène Grimaud returns again and again to Brahms' first piano concerto: the smoldering passion, the virtuosity and the emotional depth of the work inspire new explorations. At her side: the exquisitely performing Camerata Salzburg.

Helen Grimaud

Robert Schumann: Genoveva

The jazz choir of the University of Bonn and Vocal Journey from the Cologne University of Music and Dance take the audience on a journey through fascinating soundscapes. With vocal sounds that are both powerful and sensitive, with rousing and laid-back grooves, the choirs sing harmoniously a cappella and with a band a variety of pop and jazz arrangements as well as their own compositions. Everyone is invited to be infected by the musical passion of the young singers.

»Vocal Soundscapes«

About Life – Special Concert

In 1995, the music press was shaken up: Thomas Adès, just 24 years old, had brought the opera "Powder her Face" to the stage, which satirically describes the extravagant, dissolute life of an upper-class lady. Adès established a musical style that effortlessly alternates between avant-garde and ironically broken quotations from older works, while at the same time combining catchiness with great imagination. Sergei Rachmaninoff's "Symphonic Dances", on the other hand, are a farewell work: behind the harmless title lies an entire symphony, an impressive statement that musically recalls moments from a rich composer and virtuoso's life.

WDR Happy Hour – Rachmaninow

No one can talk about music so charmingly and with a passion that is unparalleled: Götz Alsmann, a regular guest in Cologne with his band. The title of the new program gives rise to the boldest hopes of an enjoyable evening.

Götz Alsmann & Band

"It is a dance between eroticism and compassion, between a dream world and bitter reality." This is how violinist Lisa Batiashvili describes Karol Szymanowski's first violin concerto, in which the passions of a May night become sound.

Lisa Batiashvili | London Symphony Orchestra | Sir Antonio Pappano

Wohl kaum jemand interpretiert den süßen Weltschmerz Portugals so eindrucksvoll wie Mariza. Die platinblonde Sängerin hat den melancholischen Sound ihrer Heimat in die ganze Welt exportiert. Natürlich spielt »Love«, die Liebe, als Thema eine große Rolle.

Mariza

Franz Schubert considered his Symphony in B minor, which consisted of "only" two movements, to be a complete masterpiece. But the 7th Symphony, which was premiered posthumously, was to go down in music history as "unfinished". The charismatic French conductor Raphaël Pichon and the Mahler Chamber Orchestra are now celebrating more than just the Austrian symphonist. Alongside Schubert, Mendelssohn Bartholdy's musical travel painting "The Scottish" will be heard, in which he processes the impressions of his trip to this region.

Mahler Chamber Orchestra | Raphaël Pichon

As a child, she left her Japanese homeland and came to Austria – and thus to a new world. Trained in Vienna, Mitsuko Uchida developed into a world-class pianist. Her enthusiasm for Viennese music has stayed with her to this day.

Mitsuko Uchida

Four Frenchmen in Berlin, plus an invitation to a concert in an old church on Corsica - and the idea of ​​founding a string quartet for it. The concert never took place, but the Quatuor Agate was born: with an unbridled desire to explore the quartet repertoire.

Rising Stars: Quatuor Agate

»Songs are like small operas into which you can bring many colors,« says Hanna-Elisabeth Müller. Young in years, rich in success, the soprano always devotes particular attention to the programs of her song recitals.

Hanna-Elisabeth Müller | Daniel Ottensamer | Juliane Ruf

"Music with a sting" is the title of Jürgen Leuke's concert review of the performance of Benjamin Britten's "War Requiem" conducted by Helmut Rilling in the Stuttgarter Zeitung. Despite the magnificent sound, listening to this work is not meant to be a pleasure, as a persistent sting is a warning: after eleven hours of bombing during the Second World War, the German air force had reduced most of the central English city of Coventry to rubble and ashes, and St. Michael's Cathedral was completely destroyed.

KölnChor | Rheinischer Kammerchor Köln

Performances are rare in Germany, but in England Edward Elgar's oratorio "The Dream of Gerontius" ranks just behind Handel's "Messiah" or Mendelssohn's "Elijah". This masterpiece in particular shows the true side of the English romantic, who is known here above all as the creator of the "Pomp and Circumstance" marches. The existential theme of the monumental composition is the journey of a soul to heaven - from the moment of death through encounters at the side of a guardian angel to the climax: it reaches the afterlife and sees the glory of God.

Heaven & Hell – The Dream of Gerontius

Round – The Düsseldorf Düsterboys

"I am thirstier for life than ever," Gustav Mahler confessed as he composed his existential Ninth, permeated with wistful gestures of farewell. An unheard-of field of tension that the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra under Kirill Petrenko is now exploring.

Berliner Philharmoniker | Kirill Petrenko

These are unermüdlich im musicalischen Hochgebirge unterwegs. The Expedition is still on its way. Sie erschließen komplexe Landschaften und fühlen sich darin pudelwohl. Die Mitglieder des Quartuor Ébène zählen zur Spitzenklasse unter den Streichquartetten.

Ebony Quartet

When it pearls and shimmers, when it becomes transparent and shines in all colors at the same time, then it quickly becomes clear who is sitting at the piano: the charismatic sound magician Seong-Jin Cho.

Seong-Jin Cho

Yiran Zhao, born in China and based in Berlin, is a composer, performer, audio designer and sound artist. The use of light and shadow is as much a part of her vocabulary as performative elements and visual media. The Briton Christian Mason uses a text by Paul Griffiths on the (light-related) schooling behavior of fish for his new work "The Oddity Effect". Both works, as well as the premiere of a prize-winning piece from the ACHT BRÜCKEN composition competition, will be conducted by Ustina Dubitsky, who attracted attention through her successful participation in the Besançon conducting competition and winning the La Maestra conducting competition.

The Oddity Effect

For him, composing is a kind of medicine against the violence of life. Georges Aperghis is "an unmistakable voice and an outstanding composer of our time," according to the Ernst von Siemens Music Foundation's tribute. "Selfie in the Dark" is a composition commissioned by the festival, which will be premiered here - and which Aperghis composed in memory of his late wife Edith. In search of the sound of silence, however, Eivind Buene composed "Lessons in Darkness" in the Norwegian winter of 2017, imagining the ensemble as a human community. The program is complemented by a prizewinner of the ACHT BRÜCKEN composition competition.

Selfie in the Dark

​A whole day of music with free admission - the popular ACHT BRÜCKEN Freihafen will take place on May 17th in 2025. This means that towards the end of the festival it offers another opportunity to meet the favorite composers and themes of the week and to listen to today's music in the Cologne Philharmonic Hall and the Funkhaus am Wallrafplatz.

EIGHT BRIDGES Freeport

Balloons are delicate and airy, fun and inviting to play with. But they also have another side; they can pop and make a noise, you can rub them and make them squeak.

Elementary school concert

With Kaija Saariaho, the central artist portrait is once again dedicated to an internationally acclaimed composer. The "Lichtbogen" from 1985-86 is indisputably one of her major works. With the finest instrumentation techniques and occasional use of electronics, she achieves astonishing effects that cover the entire spectrum from delicate shimmer to powerful laser beams. The electronic tools for the "Lichtbogen" were created at the Paris IRCAM, whose founding father is rightly considered to be Pierre Boulez. His birthday will be the 100th anniversary in 2025, and so the festival is also paying homage to him with the performance of "sur Incises", which is so rarely heard due to its unusual instrumentation - last in the Philharmonie in 1999.

Where

In order to get to know the sound down to its most mysterious ramifications, Kaija Saariaho simply put it "under the microscope". In 2023, the great Finnish composer died in her adopted home of Paris. Together with violinist Carolin Widmann, the SWR Symphony Orchestra remembers this magician of intermediate and microtones.

Carolin Widmann | SWR Symphony Orchestra | Bas Wiegers

A song of the earth for our time - that is nothing less than what the writer Händl Klaus and the composer Hèctor Parra have in mind. Olivia and Bruno trudge through a glowing, dead landscape. Sung and spoken words result in an impossible dialogue between two lonely figures. A great work about farewell and loss, love and life. The clarinet concerto by the important composer Kaija Saariaho is inspired by medieval carpets with images of a woman and a unicorn. A work in which the soloist literally "wanders" through the landscape of the Philharmonie.

Music of Time – Man/Woman/Unicorn/Lakes

Form completed

A breath of fresh air in the concert hall: When the Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen joins forces with Paavo Järvi and Janine Jansen, a well-known classic such as Beethoven's Violin Concerto becomes an experience again.

The Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen

Claudio Monteverdi's last opera, "L'incoronazione di Poppea," captivates with expressive, multifaceted music. A first-class group of singers and the renowned Cappella Mediterranea under Leonardo García Alarcón bring this early Baroque masterpiece to life.

Monteverdi: The Coronation of Poppea

Ford Symphony Orchestra

Virtuoser Dialog

Cologne Citizens' Orchestra | Mariano Chiacchiarini

Dr. Crescendo is desperate: she wants to find a way to travel with music in her laboratory. She has already collected many sounds and instruments, but it just doesn't work. Her two colleagues support her and little by little the secret is revealed: music comes to life in the mind and in the imagination and only then can you travel with it...

Sound Laboratory - The Vibration of Music

Abel Selaocoe is bound to amaze in every respect. Not only does the South African enjoy international renown as a cellist and composer, he is also able to impress on stage with his singing skills.

Abel Selaocoe

Best of Verdi meets Kendlinger

Dominik Susteck was 13 years old when he discovered the organ. At the same time, he was completely fascinated by the music of Olivier Messiaen, which sparked his interest in contemporary music. Today, Susteck is considered one of the most important new music organists internationally. Nevertheless, he always has to return to his two musical mentors, Bach and Messiaen.

Dominik Susteck

Christoph Sietzen is an award-winning multi-percussionist and a celebrated soloist in dialogue with large orchestras. But he also loves chamber music. In Cologne he will perform with Tabea Zimmermann, queen of the viola, and with harpsichord artist Mahan Esfahani.

Christoph Sietzen & Friends

Sie möchte am liebsten »Bilder auf dem Flügel malen«. Dafür lässt sie ihr Instrument in den obersten Tonlagen schillern und schimmern, mal crystallrein, mal sanft et milde. Anna Vinnitskaya lies, Geschichten in Tönen zu erzählen.

Anna Vinnitskaya

Herzenssache – Benefit Concert

As part of the philharmonic "portrait" series dedicated to it, the Alinde Quartet can be heard in a very unusual line-up. In 2000, Wolfgang Rihm wrote a "Concerto" for string quartet and orchestra. It will be accompanied by the Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen with works by Bartók and Beethoven.

Alinde Quartet | The Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen | Duncan Ward

Hardly anything is more fitting for the spring days than Bruch's famous violin concerto - first performed in Cologne at Whitsun 1868 - and Robert Schumann's 1st Symphony, which he himself called his "Spring Symphony". Both works are characterized by blissful and edifying sounds with unmistakable genius.

Bruch's Violin Concerto | Schumann's "Spring Symphony"

Is it all just a pose? Not at all. Lakecia Benjamin may have a lot of visual plus points, but she also knows how to impress musically. The saxophonist has experienced a furious career leap with her current album »Phoenix«, which has even resulted in a Grammy nomination.

Lakecia Benjamin

As Germany's youngest top orchestra, the Federal Youth Orchestra regularly exudes its energy in the Cologne Philharmonic Hall. The young talents present contemporary music with passion and include the Japanese violinist Midori in their midst.

Midori | Federal Youth Orchestra | Patrick Lange

Round – All This Feeling + Coby Sey

Hamburg rap pioneer Samy Deluxe and Mikis Takeover! Ensemble are breaking down the boundaries between hip hop and classical music.

Samy Deluxe & Mikis Takeover! Ensemble

With over half a billion streams, Charlie Cunningham has achieved considerable success - and without much hype. His music strikes a balance between the haunting pulse of his familiar nylon-string guitar and melancholic piano sounds. The songs, brought to life by his distinctive, almost evocative voice, are full of emotion and musical depth - a combination that creates something timeless. Cunningham's latest works combine these elements with a fine blend of art rock, golden-era jazz and neo-classical influences, as can also be heard on his most ambitious album to date, »Frame«.

Charlie Cunningham

From 1961 to 1971, the Detroit label Motown released an incredible 110 top ten hits. With world stars such as The Jackson Five, Diana Ross, The Supremes, Stevie Wonder, The Temptations, Marvin Gaye, The Four Tops and many more, the hit factory from "Motor Town" stands for glamorous acts and a veritable revolution in pop music.

The Sound of Classic Motown

Film magic is not only created by brilliant lighting effects, but above all by the emotional power of film music. The master composers Hans Zimmer and John Williams created countless soundtracks for Hollywood, won various awards and became legends during their lifetime. The concert "The Sound of Hans Zimmer & John Williams" presents live highlights from works such as "The Lion King", "Star Wars", "Harry Potter" and "Pirates of the Caribbean". An orchestral evening full of goosebumps moments that will delight more than just film fans.

The sound of Hans Zimmer & John Williams

About Wounds – Passion Concert

Music for Holy Week by the Bohemian composer Jan Dismas Zelenka is one of the greatest discoveries of the Baroque repertoire. It does not need to fear comparison with Bach. Award-winning young vocal soloists and the enthusiastic Diderot Ensemble make it a real treat.

Darkness – Ensemble Diderot

The St. Matthew Passion has always been a masterpiece, a pinnacle of oratorio art. In the tension between the double choir and two orchestras, we immerse ourselves in existential emotions and enormous musical depth. The reflective arias also give us insights into the human soul; we encounter our fear, hope and confidence.

Bach's St. Matthew Passion

Some people won't believe it, but in spring 2025, YOUR FRIENDS will be fulfilling a long-held dream: together with the great STÜBAphilharmonie, they will go on a special orchestra tour! That's why these concerts will take place in selected concert halls appropriate to the occasion.

YOUR FRIENDS and STÜBAphilharmonie

Carlos Ferreira won the coveted soloist prize at the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Festival in 2021 and is principal clarinetist with the renowned Orchestre National de France. As a rising star, he is now showing his passion for chamber music with clarinet.

Rising Stars: Carlos Ferreira & Pedro Emanuel Pereira

Bach's St. John Passion is a unique work of shocking expressiveness. When the great Bach interpreter Philippe Herreweghe takes action with his choir and orchestra of the Collegium Vocale Gent and with excellent vocal soloists, Bach's music can be experienced in its entirety.

J.S. Bach: Johannes-Passion

Wow, here comes a young pup who plays at the Palau de la Música Catalana – a privilege that even famous musicians need years to achieve. This coup was followed by many more, cementing Marco Mezquida's reputation as an exceptional pianist.

Marco Mezquida

Now he is going out into the world: the free hero Siegfried is supposed to fix what Wotan, the father of the gods, messed up at the beginning of the story. Part three of Wagner's "Ring of the Nibelung" can finally be experienced in Kent Nagano's original sound project.

Richard Wagner: Siegfried

90 years and not a bit quiet! True to this motto, the First Cologne Accordion Orchestra is crowning its 90th anniversary with a thrilling evening of the highest musical standard. Its incomparable sound and artistic versatility have taken the orchestra to stages all over the world over the past 90 years, and its delicate, sophisticated arrangements have thrilled audiences in the USA, Canada, Namibia and Brazil, among others.

90 Years of the First Cologne Accordion Orchestra

Last but not least

"Playing a few notes together is like sharing a meal." What a sentence! It comes from the Syrian clarinetist Kinan Azmeh, who, due to the political situation in his home country, strives to promote intensive exchange between musicians of all cultures.

Kinan Azmeh CityBand

For over 100 years, Walt Disney's films have held an undiminished fascination for generations of children and adults. The music has played a decisive role in the success of the animations. The King's Singers and the WDR Funkhausorchester reinterpret the film classics.

The King's Singers – 100 Years Of Disney

The theremin - untouchable sound magic. When the only musical instrument that is played completely without touching it meets the dexterous WDR jazz musicians, jazz standards and pop music sound magical. Included in this WDR music education concert: a short taster session and first theremin lesson on the stage of the Cologne Philharmonic!

Jazz mal anders: Big Band meets Theremin

The exceptional violinist Janine Jansen has a special relationship with Brahms, whose violin concerto she has performed many, many times. Now she is devoting herself to the composer's violin sonatas with the award-winning pianist Denis Kozhukhin - and is continuing the thread into the 20th century.

Janine Jansen | Denis Kozhukhin

As part of his European tour, the world-famous singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Jamie Cullum will also stop at the Cologne Philharmonic Hall.

Jamie Cullum

For him, songs are adventures, emotional rollercoaster rides. Tenor Ian Bostridge always dares to do the utmost in this art form, because it demands the utmost of his artistic possibilities. The highest standards are the only yardstick for Bostridge.

Ian Bostridge | Oberon Trio

Unheard of different: When Ronald Brautigam sits down at the fortepiano, even the supposedly well-known suddenly sounds excitingly new and surprisingly unusual. With his uncompromising playing, he has often contributed to a reassessment of even prominent composers.

Ronald Brautigam | The Cologne Academy | Michael Alexander Willens

Charlie is at a loss: Lou is withdrawing more and more and apparently no longer feels like playing together. Charlie then comes up with the idea of ​​holding a carnival session of emotions to cheer everyone up. Which emotion makes us laugh? Which one is the best at comforting us? Which is the scariest? And which one makes the whole body bubble over? Lou and Charlie go on a carnival quest together for the super-emotional power and take young and old on a musical journey into the wide world of emotions.

Family Concert: Singing with Class!

They met in 2010 at the Mannheim University of Music. Since then, the four jazz singers Juliette Brousset, Stephanie Neigel, Julia Pellegrini and Lisa Herbolzheimer have been the German-French vocal quartet Les Brünettes. With their stylistically diverse repertoire and sophisticated arrangements, they delight their fans across the country, not only a cappella, but also in collaboration with well-known instrumental ensembles. They are now appearing with the WDR Big Band for the first time. Anyone who has ever seen or heard their version of the Burt Bacharach classic "I say a little prayer" will be able to look forward to an evening of concerts dedicated exclusively to the music of the great songwriter who died in February 2023.

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