The NDR Chor (North German Radio Choir) is the choir of the German broadcaster Norddeutscher Rundfunk (NDR), based in Hamburg. It was founded in 1946, with Max Thurn as the first director of then 55 singers. The group has participated in premieres of contemporary music, such as the posthumous concert premiere of Schoenberg's opera Moses und Aron. It is also known for a capella music, introduced by Helmut Franz such as a recording of all such works by Johannes Brahms. The current artistic director is Philipp Ahmann, who has held the position from 2008. NDR Chor, now a group of 28 singers, is one of the leading professional chamber choirs in Germany. History The NDR Chor was founded in Hamburg on 1 May 1946, then as choir of the Nordwestdeutscher Rundfunk (NWDR) and took its present name in 1956 when the broadcaster was split in NDR and WDR. Its first director was Max Thurn who accepted 55 singers from more than 2,000 applications by professional singers. During the first years it was focused on broadcasts in collaboration with the symphony orchestra, NDR Sinfonieorchester (now NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchester), in programs that were usually also performed in concerts. In 1948, the choir participated in a recording of Beethoven's Fidelio conducted by Hans Schmidt-Isserstedt. From 1953 Thurn conducted a series of Bach cantatas with choir members and members of the NDR Sinfonieorchester. The choir took part in pioneering projects, such as the concert premiere of Arnold Schoenberg's opera Moses und Aron. Ferenc Fricsay conducted in 1959 Rossini's Stabat Mater. Thurn was director until his retirement in 1965. Contemporary music was more frequently performed when Helmut Franz became director. He conducted in 1967 the premiere of Ligetis Lux aeterna for a cappella choir in a series das neue werk (the new work). Premieres included Pendereckis Utrenja, Henze's oratorio Floß der Medusa which caused a scandal, and Stockhausen's Atmen gibt das Leben. Franz chose Bach's Mass in B minor for his final concert with the choir in 1978. A more recent focus is a cappella music of all periods. The choir recorded all a cappella work by Johannes Brahms, conducted by Hamburg's Kirchenmusikdirektor Günter Jena, who studied the program from 1981 in around half a year of daily rehearsals. The recording gained the French award Orphée d’Or and became a trademark of the NDR Chor. In the 1990s, the choir was directed by a Doppelspitze