“CLASSICAL music the world over” – this is the motto of the Chamber Philharmonia Cologne.  As if to prove it true, they’re returning to Australia after visiting just last year. 

Whether playing in “a little village church, in the open air, in Cologne Cathedral or in the Sydney Opera House,” they say their aim is “to inspire as many people as possible across all generations to enjoy classical music.”

The Chamber Philharmonia Cologne was, not surprisingly, founded in Cologne, home to a university of music and a great centre of musical and instrumental teaching. The ensemble gives around 300 concerts a year around the world and, since 2009, enjoyed the luxury of touring in a Mercedes-Benz bus under a contra deal that sees the Philharmonia perform exclusive concerts for the car company’s special customers.

With this is mind, the Mercedes-Benz Centre has been transformed into a top-class concert palace. This, they say, “results in the smell of new cars mixing with the sounds of classical music.”

The Chamber Philharmonia tours to New Zealand, Australia, Spain, Great Britain, Ireland, for instance, as well as around their home country, Germany.

In this context, the popular “greats” like Mozart and Vivaldi are performed alongside works by Prokofiev, Piazzolla and others.

For this tour, Sergey Didorenko on violin, Evridiki Iliadou on cello and  Alexandra Castle on flute will perform two concerti by Vivaldi, along with J.S.Bach’s Concerto in D Minor for 2 Violins and Orchestra BWV 1043,  Borne’s  “Carmen Fantasy” for Flute and Orchestra, Mozart’s Divertimento in B Flat Major KV 137, “Salzburg Symphony” and Paganini’s  “La Campanella” for Violin and Orchestra.

The purpose, they insist, is not to instruct but to delight.

Chamber Philharmonia Cologne, at St. Christopher’s Cathedral Manuka, Friday, February 8 at 8 pm. Bookings to 136 100 or www.ticketmaster.com.au and at St. Christopher´s Cathedral one hour before the concert.