Chor des Bayerischen Rundfunk One of the best German choirs, for many years now performing under the baton of the best conductors. The Chor des Bayerischen Rundfunk was founded in1946 by Robert Seiler. On May 1, the chorus, under the direction of its founder, made its first public appearance in a "Radio Munchen" broadcast. In 1949 Josef Kugler took over the direction of the chorus. One year later the choral assignments were expanded through the addition of the newly founded Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks. In 1958 Josef Kugler unexpectedly died - his assistant Kurt Prestel took over the direction of the chorus. In 1961 Rafael Kubelick became the Chief Conductor of the Chor and Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks. The following year the ensemble was expanded from 28 to 48 members. In 1963 Wolfgang Schubert succeeded Kurt Prestel. In 1964 Rafael Kubelick recorded Schoenberg's "Gurrelieder" with the Chor and Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks, winning the 1966 Deutscher Schallplattenpreis. After Wolfgang Schubert departure in 1971 Heinz Mende and Josef Schmidhuber dividing the tasks of directing the chorus. In 1973 the complete recording of Pfitzner's Palestrina with the Chor and Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks was awarded the Deutscher Schallplattenpreis. In 1981 Gidon Kember assumed the post of choral director. Two years later Sir Colin Davis became chief conductor of Chor and Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks. He inaugurated his tenure of Beethoven's Missa Solemnis. In 1983 Hans-Peter Rauscher succeeded Kember. In 1990 Michael Glasser became the director of the chorus. In 1993 Lorin Maazel became chief conductor of the Chor and Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks.