The Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra (hr-Sinfonieorchester), one of the best known orchestras in Germany, can look back on a more than 75-year tradition, which has developed into an ensemble with an unusually broad stylistic repertoire enjoying an international reputation through its radio, concert and CD productions. In classical-romantic repertoire, discoveries in experimental new music, concerts for children and young people, light classics, or demanding programming concepts – the orchestra of the German Public Radio of Hessen adjusts quickly to different musical styles and continually produces exemplary recordings and interpretations. Hans Rosbaud, its first conductor, put his stamp on the orchestra's orientation up to the year 1937 by focusing not only on traditional music but also contemporary compositions. After the war, Kurt Schröder and Winfried Zillig committed themselves to rebuilding the orchestra and a broad musical repertoire. Dean Dixon and Eliahu Inbal turned the ensemble into an internationally acclaimed orchestra in a matter of only three decades (1961–1990). This fact has been confirmed over and over again, especially during the »Inbal Era«, with guest appearances around the world and major editions of recorded music, such as the very first recordings of the original versions of Bruckner's Third, Fourth and Eighth Symphonies, awarded the »Grand Prix du Disque«, and the first digital recording of all of Mahler's symphonies, which won the German Record Award in 1988. Inbal, who was Chief Conductor from 1974–1990, has been its Honorary Conductor since 1996. From 1990 to 1996, Dmitri Kitaenko was Chief Conductor of the Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra. His work focused on the German and Russian traditions, as well as modern styles. Under Kitaenko, the Frankfurt Radio Symphony took extensive tours to such places as South America, Switzerland, the U.S., and Japan. Under the baton of Cristóbal Halffter, a CD project of his complete orchestral works was begun, as was a series of the orchestral works of the Second Viennese School in conjunction with the symphonies of Schumann and Brahms with Eliahu Inbal. Schönberg's one-act opera »Von heute auf morgen« (»From one day to the next«), with Michael Gielen, was released as a film by Jean-Marie Straub and Danièle Huillet and as a CD. The American conductor Hugh Wolff has been Chief Conductor of the Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra since 1997. »Flexibility« and »variety« were two important themes in his work with the orchestra. Wolff applied the experience of historical performance practices to the modern symphony orchestra, thereby regaining repertoire from the vast worlds of classical, early classical and baroque periods. The success of exciting interpretations and an unusually versatile programming were the trade marks of the collaboration of the Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra and Hugh Wolff. This success were reflected in the documentation of concert projects which reach far beyond the Hessian state and are resulting in guest appearances throughout Europe, Asia and North America. It is also reflected in remarkable CD productions. The Estonian Paavo Jaervi is the new Chief Conductor of the Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra from the beginning of the 2006/07 season. As one of the most prominent conductors of his generation he will continue to guarantee musical variety and at the same time enrich the orchestra with new musical aspirations not least due to his passion for Nordic literature, his interest in New Music and his experience in education work with young people.