| Biography | For over 100 years the works philharmonic orchestra, a full symphony orchestra with around 100 members, has been a cultural ambassador for the company both at home and abroad.
The Bayer Philharmonic Orchestra has performed with such renowned soloists as Frank Peter Zimmermann, Gerhard Oppitz, Martha Argerich and Teresa Berganza. Its musical repertoire includes symphonic literature, opera and operetta and light classical music. Time and again the Bayer Philharmonic Orchestra displays its high standards on concert tours and at Bayer Group gala events. The orchestra further raises its profile through theme-based programmes and concertante performances of well-known stage pieces like The Magic Flute, Peer Gynt and Der Freischütz. Its concert tours have already taken the Philharmonic Orchestra to numerous national and international Bayer locations. To date its members have appeared in the UK, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Scandinavia, Brazil and Poland. In this way, they have become ambassadors for the Group's corporate culture and have won many friends and admirers all over the world
History
In 1904 music-loving works employees founded the ensemble which, at that time, was comprised only of strings. Just a year later, the musicians were giving concerts. In 1935 Erich Kraack, a professional musician and founder of the Cologne Chamber Orchestra, became director of the symphony orchestra. He succeeded in establishing the Bayer Philharmonic Orchestra as an integral part of Leverkusen's musical life. In 1972, Rainer Koch took over as musical director. He continued to develop the ensemble, which is particularly characterized by its professionalism and its high standard of musicianship. |