Inaugurated on 14 September 1986, the Kölner Philharmonie is located directly beneath the Federal Republic‘s largest modern museum, which houses both the Wallraf Richartz Museum and the Museum Ludwig. Although not originally intended to occupy this site, the concert hall soon developed into the most important venue for classical music in Germany and garnered an excellent reputation across the world. A veritable Mecca for the most accomplished and famous orchestras, ensembles, conductors and soloists, it also has become a magnet for music lovers willing to travel from far and wide. The number of concerts has been steadily increasing, currently running at 450 each year, and since the hall‘s inauguration, a total of over 7000 concerts have been staged at this venue, which ranks among the most beautiful concert halls in the world.

The » history of the Kölner Philharmonie is, at the same time, a history of concerts, » innovation and a passionate commitment to promoting » young artists and attracting » young audiences. It is also the history of a concert hall dedicated to delighting its patrons with outstanding concert programmes and a top-quality »  service . Despite being immensely proud of this 20-year history, the Kölner Philharmonie and its staff are by no means resting on their laurels: Quality, diversity, a commitment to the new and the provision of a first-class service will continue to remain paramount in the
» anniversary season 2006/2007 .

To celebrate the Philharmonie’s 20th anniversary, we are holding a festival week featuring an eclectic mix of surprises, innovations and astonishing diversity. The festival begins with a double concerto starring the conductor Peter Eötvös and the cult talk-show host Harald Schmidt as speaker. A festive evening of French music with Cologne’s WDR Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Semyon Bychkov and a musical tour de force by Cologne’s Gürzenich Orchestra conducted by Markus Stenz symbolise the close affinity between the Philharmonie and Cologne’s vibrant music scene. Rounding off the festival week is the guest appearance of two vastly different vocal groups: the harmonic ensemble the Theatre of Voices, performing Karlheinz Stockhausen's “Stimmungen”, and the electrifying Finnish Choir of Screaming Men.

All concerts of the festival week.

Two new concert series are being launched during the festival, each designed to bring the Philharmonie and its audiences closer together. PhilharmonieLunch affords regular free access to rehearsals at lunchtime, and » PhilharmonieVeedel   comprises a series of concerts staged in four of the city’s local neighbourhoods in a concerted drive to reach out to those music fans who have yet to find their way into the Philharmonie.