Deutsche Radio Philharmonie Saarbrücken Kaiserslautern - NOSPR

The German Radio Philharmonic Orchestra (Deutsche Radio Philharmonie, DRP) is one of ARD's major radio symphony orchestras. It is jointly supported by Saarländischer Rundfunk (SR) and Südwestrundfunk (SWR) and is based in Saarbrücken and Kaiserslautern.

At the start of the 2025/26 season, the Spanish conductor Josep Pons assumed the position of Principal Conductor and Artistic Director of the DRP. He succeeded Pietari Inkinen, who had held this position from 2017 to 2025. In addition, for the first time since Stanisław Skrowaczewski, the position of Principal Guest Conductor has once again been filled, this time by Michael Schønwandt. There was also a change in the position of Creative Partner of the DRP: Jörg Widmann was succeeded by composer and violist Brett Dean.

At the heart of the orchestra's work is the core classical-romantic repertoire, as well as repertoire rarities, new discoveries and rediscoveries, contemporary works, and excursions into jazz. With Josep Pons, the DRP opens a new chapter. Over the course of three seasons, he will present a programme that focuses on Visions of Europe, with various other related themes.

With concert programmes for classical music beginners, families, and schools, the DRP is constantly breaking new ground in the region. Other highlights include Moments musicaux at the Moderne Galerie Saarbrücken and the Pfalzgalerie Kaiserslautern, pub concerts and ensemble concerts featuring members of the DRP in chamber music formations.

An integral part of the orchestra's work is the promotion of young talents: In 2024, the Skrowaczewski Academy was founded. It offers young musicians the opportunity to prepare for a career in a leading orchestra. Other platforms for outstanding talent and new works are created by projects such as the International Saarbrücken Composition Workshop, which includes the awarding of the Théodore Gouvy Composition Prize, the Saarbrücken Conducting Workshop and the SWR Young Opera Stars singing competition. CD productions, particulary with SWRmusic, and guest concerts in both broadcasting regions as well as in Germany and abroad round off the orchestra's diverse programme.

The German Radio Philharmonic Orchestra was formed in 2007 from the merger of the Radio Symphony Orchestra Saarbrücken and the SWR Radio Orchestra Kaiserslautern. Its founding principal conductor was Christoph Poppen, followed by British conductor Karel Mark Chichon in 2011 and Pietari Inkinen in 2017.