Artists biographies
Concerto Köln

Concerto Köln was founded in 1985, and it was not long before it had established a solid place amongst the highest-ranking orchestras for historical performance practice. Thoroughly-researched interpretations brought to the stage with a new vivacity soon became the trademark of Concerto Köln, quickly paving the way to the most renowned concert halls and music festivals. During extensive tours throughout the USA, South East Asia, Canada, Latin America, Japan, Israel and most countries in Europe, Concerto Köln has spread its musical message and the name of its hometown throughout the world.

Concerto Köln is able to boast a discography of more than 50 CDs, many of which have been awarded. The CD, “Symphonies”, including works by Henri-Joseph Rigel was honoured just recently with the MIDEM Classical Award 2010 in the category “First Recording” as well as the ECHO Klassik Award 2009 in the category “Symphonic Recording of the Year”.

Since 2005, Martin Sandhoff is responsible for the artistic direction of the orchestra. In addition to concertmasters from within Concerto Köln, external concert masters are also engaged on a regular basis. Rehearsals are frequently led by musicians of the ensemble, most often by Sylvie Kraus and Werner Matzke.

The size of the ensemble varies according to program and repertoire. As an ensemble that feels a responsibility to historical performance practice, Concerto Köln performs predominantly without a conductor. For large-scale productions such as operas and oratorios, Concerto Köln enjoys working together with conductors including René Jacobs, Marcus Creed, Daniel Harding, Ivor Bolton, Laurence Equilbey and Emmanuelle Haïm.

Further musical partners include Cecilia Bartoli, Waltraud Meier, Magdalena Kožená, Malin Hartelius, Andreas Scholl, Philippe Jaroussky, Christoph Prégardien, Andreas Staier, Bruno Ganz as well as the Ensemble Sarband, the Balthasar-Neuman-Choir, the NDR Choir, the RIAS Chamber Choir, Accentus and Arsys de Bourgogne.