Founded almost 75 years ago, SWR radio choir is one of the top ensembles in the international professional choral scene. The instrumentaltonal culture as well as stylistic flexibility of the singers fascinate audiences and the composers alike. More than 250 works have been written for the SWR Vokalensemble over the past decades and new ones are added every year. In addition to contemporary music, the SWR Vokalensemble focuses on the most demanding choral works of the Romantic and classical Modernist period.

Under the direction of Marcus Creed as chief conductor (2004–20), SWR Vokalensemble won numerous prizes including the Echo Klassik, Choc de la Musique, and Grand Prix du Disque. Since 2020 the post of artistic director has been held by Yuval Weinberg. The complete choral works of György Ligeti, released in 2023, were his first recording project as their chief conductor, and were awarded the Diapason d’Or as well as the Jahrespreis der Deutschen Schallplattenkritik (annual German music critics’ prize).