The chamber orchestra Sinfonietta Köln, founded in 1984, is today one of the most accomplished ensembles of its kind. In particular their interpretation of the music by Mozart and his contemporaries has won them critics' praise for pursuing "new and exciting paths" (W.E. von Lewinski in the Wiesbadener Tageblatt). The Sinfonietta's interpretive approach which emphasizes the generally little known musical aesthetics of its time as well as their adaptation of historical playing techniques on modern instruments lead to their "making music of literally unparalleled presence and intensity" (Ingo Harden in Der Musikmarkt).

At the same time the ensemble avoids any sort of one-sidedness. Their repertoire includes the great works of the Romantic era as well as music of the 20th century. The Sinfonietta Köln has commissioned several compositions and regularly performs world premieres. Numerous radio recordings and CD productions of works by M.G.Monn, J.Haydn, W.A.Mozart, F. Mendelssohn, N.W.Gade, O.Respighi and F.W.Hans bear witness to the diversity of their repertoire.

In its playing, the Sinfonietta Köln combines the qualities of a chamber music ensemble with those of a large orchestra. Critics emphasize its "sensuous chamber music sound and delicate phrasing"
(Rhein Zeitung), "exciting sonority and symphonic flair" (Westfälische Rundschau) and "intensely-felt warmth of sound" (Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung).

The Sinfonietta Köln are regular guests at well-known music festivals, including the following: Schwetzinger Festspiele, Mozartfest Würzburg, Augsburger Mozartsommer, Flanders Festival, and Stagione Estiva Parma. Frequent concert tours abroad have taken the ensemble to Rome, Naples, Monte Carlo, Moscow, Shanghai, Hangzhou and other places.