Musica Antiqua Köln was an early music group that was founded in 1973 by Reinhard Goebel and fellow students from the Conservatory of Music in Cologne. Musica Antiqua Köln devoted itself largely to the performance of the music of the 17th and 18th centuries. The group recorded extensively for Archiv Produktion and received numerous awards, including the Grand Prix International du Disque, Gramophone Award, Diapason d’or, and Grammy nominations.

The ensemble disbanded after more than 30 years of touring, recording and performing in 2007. Reinhard Goebel will concentrate on conducting larger orchestras in both ancient and modern repertoire. Musica Antiqua Köln's last recording for Archiv, 'Flute-Quartetts' by Telemann, 2005, was a collaboration with the Swiss recorder virtuoso Maurice Steger.