Claude Debussy
»La mer« - Three symphonic delineations (1903–1905)
Vito Žuraj
I-formation for two orchestras and two conductors (2016) world premiere
Jean Sibelius
Symphony No. 5 E flat major (1915/1919)
- Gürzenich-Orchester Köln
- François-Xavier Roth conductor
- WDR Sinfonieorchester Köln
- Jukka-Pekka Saraste conductor
The Gürzenich Orchestra Cologne continues to proudly bear the name of its first concert auditorium in its name – though it has been 30 years since it took up residence at the Kölner Philharmonie. When the concert venue designed like an amphitheater was inaugurated in 1986, it was a landmark event in the music life of Cologne. Designed by the architects Busmann and Haberer, the Kölner Philharmonie has established itself as one of the best concert halls in the world. Besides the outstanding guest artists from across the globe, the two resident orchestras have set the tone at the Philharmonie. On the occasion of the hall’s 30th birthday, the WDR Symphony Orchestra Cologne and the Gürzenich Orchestra will be led by their respective principal conductors Jukka-Pekka Saraste and François-Xavier Roth in performing birthday music of a special kind. In addition to a pair of symphonic highlights which the orchestras will be playing “soloistically”, the two ensembles will also do “battle” in a score provided by Slovenian composer Vito Žuraj: A Concerto for two Orchestras – and its two conductors.
Happy birthday, Kölner Philharmonie!