Concert-Gesellschaft Köln

A success story spanning almost two hundred years is a good reason for pride and joy: since it was founded in 1827 by music-loving citizens of Cologne, the Concert-Gesellschaft has been promoting musical life in the cathedral city.

This has not changed to this day. The Concert Society is made up of private individuals as well as major companies. They are all united by the goal of supporting the multifaceted work of the Gürzenich Orchestra and thereby strengthening its national and international recognition. For the Gürzenich Orchestra is firmly rooted in the Rhine, but open to the world, to which it carries the name of Cologne.

The activities of the Concert Society and its members are manifold: it supports the orchestra in its constant efforts to always play in the top league, to bring prominent soloists and important guest conductors to Cologne and to realize elaborate programs. Musical offerings for children and young people are close to her heart, and the festive concert at the opening of the season has become an indispensable Cologne tradition.

The Orchestra Academy of the Gürzenich Orchestra
If you want to be at the top tomorrow, you can't do without excellent training today. That is why the Concert Society, on the initiative of François-Xavier Roth, together with the orchestra's board of directors, founded the Orchestra Academy of the Gürzenich Orchestra. This initiative sees itself as a talent factory for highly talented instrumentalists at the end of their studies: as academists, they can gain their first experience in a top orchestra under the care of experienced members of the Gürzenich Orchestra. Many of the 42 academy members from 15 countries have gone on to hold internationally renowned positions. Recently, the orchestra succeeded in acquiring a Steinway grand piano for the work of the young professionals.

Become a member
As a member of the Concert Society, you can experience the Gürzenich Orchestra Cologne at close quarters. To this end, it invites you to orchestra rehearsals where you can meet conductors, soloists and orchestra musicians in person. The annual exclusive chamber concert for the Concert Society also offers the opportunity to do this.

The Gürzenich Orchestra makes music for everyone in the city. In the same way, the Concert-Gesellschaft's invitation to help support cultural life is directed at all music enthusiasts. Only when we join forces can great concerts and other important cultural events become a reality. Become part of an exclusive community of friends, you too will help to create something new and help to shape the further development of the orchestra. What would art be without support? Be a part of it!

We invite you to attend orchestra rehearsals – dress rehearsals include receptions and meet & greet sessions with conductors, soloists and orchestra members.

Every year, you are invited to an exclusive chamber music concert in the company of other members.

You may take advantage of an earlier on-sale date for all the Gürzenich Orchestra’s own concert productions.

We will make your support visible online and in selected print media (optional).
You will receive a donation receipt for the amount of your donation for your (German) taxes.

Members of the board of trustees receive additional invitations to exclusive receptions.

We will make your support visible in all the orchestra’s relevant publications.

You have the opportunity to hold individual events, depending on your requirements, featuring musicians and fellows of the orchestra academy of the Gürzenich Orchestra.