Norbert Rodenkirchen studied flute at the State University of Music in his hometown of Cologne with Hans Martin Müller and Baroque transverse flute with Prof. Günther Höller. After his studies, he initially turned to contemporary music, modern jazz, and experimental music theater, and played, among others, in Gunther Hampel’s Coming Age Orchestra.
He also realized his own improvisation projects, for example, performing at the New Jazz Festival Moers, and worked as a composer and musical director for the Theater im Ballsaal in Bonn.
Norbert Rodenkirchen’s great interest in archaic musical forms both within and outside of European culture led to the commission, in 1992, to organize the URKLÄNGE festival for the Abbey of Brauweiler together with Prof. Johannes Fritsch, focusing specifically on medieval and contemporary music. This very successful festival was the catalyst for him to turn more towards medieval music as a flutist.
Since 1995, Norbert Rodenkirchen has regularly performed with the internationally renowned ensemble for medieval music, Sequentia. With Sequentia, he has given concerts, among others, at the Lincoln Center (New York), Notre Dame (Paris), Casals Hall (Tokyo), and the Royal Albert Hall (London).
In addition to his work as a performer, Norbert Rodenkirchen has been in demand for many years as a versatile composer for film and theater music.