Honorary Conductor Kent Nagano
“What unites us: curiosity, a thirst for discovery and the courage to push boundaries. Kent is a musician who never stops asking questions and whose mind is always active. Fuelled by mutual affection and respect, each of our encounters has been a great source of inspiration.”
Concerto Köln has awarded Kent Nagano the title of Honorary Conductor in recognition of their long-standing and trusting collaboration. Kent Nagano, General Music Director of the Hamburg State Opera and Principal Conductor of the Hamburg State Philharmonic Orchestra, was delighted to receive this honour: “Concerto Köln and I have enjoyed a wonderful working relationship for several years now. Whether it be Mozart’s *Idomeneo*, the symphonies of Ludwig van Beethoven or, most recently, Richard Wagner’s *Ring of the Nibelung* – together we are rediscovering this music. The energy and power of the orchestra, their dynamic playing and the musical curiosity of the ‘ Concerto Köln ’ are inspiring. I am delighted to be appointed Honorary Conductor of this ensemble!”
Following an initial artistic encounter with Beethoven’s Sixth Symphony and our joint production of Mozart’s *Idomeneo* at the 2016 Audi Summer Concerts in Ingolstadt, the idea arose to explore 19th-century stage music in greater depth. The “Wagner Interpretations” series, featuring Concerto Köln and Kent Nagano as artistic director, explores Richard Wagner’s “Ring of the Nibelung”. Alongside various concerts featuring 19th-century works, the performance of the first part of the Ring tetralogy was planned for 2021. In 2020, the focus was on the practical application of academic findings: amongst other things, wind instruments were recreated based on historical models, and workshops were held to attempt to realise Wagner’s ideals and practical performance intentions artistically. Scholars from various disciplines are playing a key role in the project. They receive significant support from the Kunststiftung NRW, the Ministry of Culture and Science of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia, the Strecker Foundation and MBL.
Concerto Köln congratulates Kent Nagano on being awarded the Federal Cross of Merit on 19 February 2024 for his exceptional contribution to German culture and tradition through his musical engagement with German orchestras and institutions.