Niklas Willén,
to become Chief Conductor of WDR Rundfunkorchester Köln
(WDR Radio Orchestra Cologne) from September 2010.



"Oh what a cracker this concert turned out to be; Niklas Willén, conducting a BSO on tip-top form, set enviable standards for the rest of the season ........ Totally enthralling under Willén's baton, the tales of Scheherazade in Rimsky-Korsakov's much-loved work were conveyed with intuitive musicianship"
(Mike March, Bournemouth Echo, 16th October 2008)

The Swedish conductor Niklas Willén has been appointed as Chief Conductor of the WDR Radio Orchestra Köln from Season 2010/11, beginning in September. This will be in addition to his duties as General Music Director of the Volkstheater Rostock and Chief Conductor of the North German Philharmonic Rostock, announced earlier this year.

Born in Stockholm in 1961 where he studied conducting and composition at the city's Royal College of Music, Niklas Willén has created a loyal and much respected base in Scandinavia and the Nordic countries. He regularly conducts the major orchestras of Sweden, Norway, Denmark, in particular the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra and Swedish Radio Symphony along with the major Swedish opera houses. Last season he made his debut with both the Philharmonic Orchestra of the National University of Mexico and the North German Philharmonic Orchestra (both with immediate re-invitations).

Niklas Willén has strong, distinct affiliations to a range of repertoire that spans the classical, romantic and contemporary periods. In addition he has become a busy recording artist with the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Royal Stockholm Philharmonic, Royal Opera in Stockholm, Göteborgs Symphony Orchestra, Malmö Opera, and the Sønderjyllands Symphony Orchestra.

In a recording of Prokoviev's complete Piano Concertos with the Sønderjyllands Symphony Orchestra, Paul Serotsky (www.musicweb-international.com) said:
"Willén is a superbly sympathetic partner, coaxing mischief from the orchestra to match Marshev at his cheekiest", "Stunning and superb."

In his recording of the Nielsen Aladdin Suite, Pan & Syrinx, Helios Overture, Rob Barnett (www.musicweb-international.com) said "Willén's Nielsen is very adroitly paced ...... Willén's is a great performance ...... a classic Helios Overture),

And in Volume 2 of Naxos' complete orchestral music by Alfvén, Willén received the following : "Listen as Niklas Willén teases the skittish polka (No. 6) from Alfvén's 'The Prodigal Son' ballet suite, or steers his players through the vehement fugue that rounds out his Symphony No. 2, and you'll appreciate why this release commands unreserved praise."). [Michael Jameson, www.classicstoday.com]

The WDR Rundfunkorchester Köln (also known as the Cologne Radio Symphony Orchestra) was founded in 1947, operating with a series of permanent guest conductors. Regular guest conductors have joined the orchestra over the years including a highly respected roster from a younger generation. These have included Leopold Hager (former Chief Conductor at the Volksoper in Vienna), Stefan Blunier (GMD in Bonn), Gustav Kuhn (conducted a highly rated production of Die Frau ohne Schatten at the Opera Bastille in 2008 and toured Japan with the Opéra National de Paris), Ari Rasilainen (Chief Conductor of the Norwegian Radio Orchestra Oslo) and Pinchas Steinberg (fresh from the Deutsche Oper, Berlin, conducting Tristan plus Turandot).

The WDR Rundfunkorchester Köln focuses on twentieth-century repertoire, especially the music of Karlheinz Stockhausen. The orchestra began touring Germany under its former Chief conductor, now Honorary Conductor, Helmuth Froschauer. From 2005 to 2008, Michail Jurowski was chief conductor and is now Principal Guest Conductor of the Tonkünstler Orchestra in Austria.

Niklas Willén commented on his new position saying: "I am thrilled and honoured to become chief conductor of the WDR Rundfunkorchester Köln and to be part of one of Europe's most famous broadcasting organisations as it continues to develop its fine orchestra."

Monika Piel, Intendantin des WDR, said: "In addition to his artistic qualities and experience Niklas Willén also brings a great interest in contemporary music. With him [as chief conductor] we will strike new paths and also continue to pursue our aim of intensifying young people's enthusiasm for music."

http://www.wdr.de/radio/orchester/rundfunkorchester/index.html

Niklas Willén Biography

Niklas Willén, Cond.
Press release



For immediate release, 16 June 2009

Swedish conductor Niklas Willén will become general music director of the Volkstheater Rostock and chief conductor of the North German Philharmonic Rostock from the 2009/10 season. Last year, the 48-year-old has already conducted the production of "Manon Lescaut" as well as several concert productions in Rostock. The Volkstheater's Intendant, Peter Leonard, says that Niklas Willén is his favourite for this position which has been vacant since 2007.

Niklas Willén has held chief positions in Sweden and Denmark, and he was Principal Guest Conductor of the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic. As a guest conductor he works regularly with orchestras in Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Iceland, Mexico, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and the U.K. More than 20 CD recordings complete his artistic profile.

Biography