Bayerischer Rundfunk

Bayerischer Rundfunk (BR) is the public broadcaster for the German Freistaat (Free State) of Bavaria, with its main offices in Munich. BR is a member of the ARD.

Musical organizations

BR administers three musical organizations:

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• Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks (Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra), founded in 1949. Music directors have included Eugen Jochum, Rafael Kubelik, Sir Colin Davis and Lorin Maazel. Mariss Jansons has been serving in this post since 2003.
• Münchner Rundfunkorchester (Munich Radio Orchestra), founded in the 1920s, reorganized in 1952. The orchestra is known for its Sunday concerts, and youth/children's concerts. As of August of 2005, the orchestra is threatened with dissolution in 2006. Marcello Viotti gave up his post as music director, but continued to conduct the orchestra. He died on 16 February 2005 as a result of a stroke suffered during a performance of "Manon."
• Chor des Bayerischen Rundfunks (Bavarian Radio Choir), founded in 1946 as "Rundfunkchor München" (Munich Radio Choir). The choir has premiered works by Rafael Kubelik and Hans Pfitzner.