Sinfonieorchester Aachen is a German symphonic orchestra based in Aachen, Germany, serving as the resident ensemble of the Theater Aachen. The orchestra’s origins date to 1721 when military musicians were assigned to the city’s soldier companies, with the group evolving into a municipal orchestra in 1852 to become the first permanent professional city orchestra in the Rhineland. The ensemble's annual schedule includes about 140 performances, featuring regular symphony concerts at the Eurogress Aachen, chamber concerts, youth and family programs, and open-air Kurpark Classix events. The group's discography includes the 2006 album Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Krönungsmesse KV 317, Exsultate, jubilate KV 165, Vesperae solennes de Confessore KV 339, Ave verum KV 618, as well as recordings of Anton Bruckner’s Sinfonie Nr. 8 c-Moll (2003) and Gustav Mahler’s Sinfonie Nr. 2 c-Moll 'Auferstehung' (2005). Former music directors of the orchestra include Leo Blech, Fritz Busch, Herbert von Karajan, and Wolfgang Sawallisch, with seasonal projects focusing on a contemporary composer. The group's projects also include the Akzent Barock! project using historical instruments.
