The WDR Funkhausorchester is a symphonic entertainment orchestra of broadcaster Westdeutsche Rundfunk in Cologne. The studio orchestra in its present form, consisting of 52 members, or rather musicians, at the moment, was founded in 1947 and emerged from several smaller instrumental formations which have existed in part since 1927.
DOMINIK MENTZOS photographed the current studio orchestra in the beautiful, monument-protected broadcasting center of WDR in Cologne.
The studio orchestra is known for its extremely broad musical repertoire, which it masterfully presents with great passion in premium performances. In addition to appearances in the concert halls of North-Rhine Westphalia as well as at international music festivals in Germany and abroad, the WDR studio orchestra holds popular concert series at the Cologne Philharmonic Hall and in the large concert hall of the Cologne broadcasting center. Since 2021, Frank Strobel has been the Principal Conductor.
Construction of the broadcasting center was one of the largest construction projects in the war-torn city of Cologne. Upon completion in the year 1952, the broadcasting center on Wallrafplatz was considered one of the most modern in all of Europe, with an area of 16,000 square meters on 7 floors.
GoSee : wdr.de//funkhausorchester & mentzos.de
