Germany has radio orchestras. Questions are being asked

The German magazine Der Opernfreund has compiled a list of tax-funded radio orchestras, supposedly 30 (though some think only 15). The apparent aim of his memo is to generate debate on the function and purpose of broadcast orchestras in a post-radio, internet-dominated environment.

The function is fairly obvious. Germany has 80 music conservatories. It needs a glut of orchestras to absorb the flood of graduates.

Here’s the Opernfreund radio list:

NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchester

NDR Radiophilharmonie

NDR Bigband

MDR Sinfonieorchester

hr-Sinfonieorchester

hr-Bigband

Deutsche Radio Philharmonie Saarbrücken

Radio-Sinfonieorchesters Stuttgart

SWR Big Band

WDR Sinfonieorchester Köln

WDR Rundfunkorchester Köln

WDR Big Band Köln

Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks

Münchner Rundfunkorchester

Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin

Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester Berlin

Deutsches Filmorchester Babelsberg

RIAS Jugendorchester

RIAS Big Band Berlin

Rundfunk-Tanzorchester Ehrenfeld

RIAS Tanzorchester

Sinfonieorchester des Süddeutschen Rundfunks

SWR Sinfonieorchester Baden-Baden und Freiburg

SWR Rundfunkorchester Kaiserslautern

Deutsche Radio Philharmonie Saarbrücken Kaiserslautern

Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester Leipzig

Radio-Philharmonie Leipzig

Rundfunk-Tanzorchester Leipzig

Rundfunk-Blasorchester Sächsische Bläserphilharmoni

Großes Rundfunkorchester Berlin

Berliner Rundfunktanzstreichorchester

Rundfunkorchester des Hessischen Rundfunks