This October, the Cologne-based Kölner Orchester-Gesellschaft (KOG) symphony orchestra will perform for the first time in Cork’s historic City Hall. Having had to postpone their tour due to the pandemic, the Orchestra is delighted to finally be able to perform in Cork.

Witolf Werner will conduct a tantalising programme featuring Bizet’s colourful L‘Arlésienne Suites, Mendelssohn’s heroic ‘Reformation’ Symphony, and Saint-Saëns’s Cello Concerto No.1, considered by many composers, including Shostakovich and Rachmaninoff, to be the greatest of all cello concertos. The soloist will be Cork-born cellist Callum Owens, one of Ireland’s finest young musicians and who is currently based in Berlin.

Founded in 1888, KOG is one of Cologne’s oldest symphony orchestras with a long tradition of performing symphonic music at the highest level. Alongside symphonic works, the orchestra includes concertos in its programmes with the aim of promoting exceptionally talented young musicians and providing them with the opportunity to perform as soloists with the orchestra.

Programme:

George Bizet: L‘Arlésienne Suite Nos. 1 & 2
Camille Saint-Saëns: Concerto for Cello and Orchestra No.1 in A minor, Op.33
Felix Mendelssohn: Symphony No.5 in D major/D minor, Op.107, ‘Reformation’

Cologne Orchestra Society
Callum Owens (cello)
Witolf Werner (conductor)