On September 14, 1986 the Gürzenich Orchestra Cologne gave a performance of Mahler's 8th Symphony at the grand opening of this impressive hall. Twenty years on and the Philharmonie, which is home to both the Gürzenich Orchestra Cologne and the WDR Symphony Orchestra Cologne continues to give almost daily performances of everything from baroque to chamber to jazz to serialism. Designed to mimic an ancient amphitheatre the Philharmonie also houses a huge organ, but what you won't find in their official marketing material is the fabulous blunder made during construction. The Philharmonie's roof is built into the surrounding area and accordingly the public can walk on it. The trouble is, when people walk on it their footsteps can be heard inside the auditorium. Thus during every performance a small group of Philharmonie employees have to hang around the roof area stopping people from crossing it. The city, who own the building, originally planned to cover the roof with a soundproofing material but have been reluctant to part with their money, and so the rather surreal-looking spectacle of men chasing quite-often oblivious people around what looks to be an ordinary courtyard continues.