The BBC National Orchestra of Wales

The BBC National Orchestra of Wales is the only professional symphony orchestra organisation in Wales, occupying a dual role as both a broadcasting orchestra and national orchestra. Currently, the orchestra’s conducting team consists of Thierry Fischer (Principal Conductor, since September 2006), Jac van Steen (Principal Guest Conductor), Tadaaki Otaka (Conductor Laureate) and Grant Llewellyn (Associate Guest Conductor). Richard Hickox, following his final concert as Principal Conductor on 23 July 2006, was the orchestra's Conductor Emeritus until his death in November 2008.

As orchestra-in-residence at St David's Hall, Cardiff, the orchestra gives over 20 concerts each year in the Welsh capital, but also performs regularly throughout Wales and beyond, including international tours and annual appearances at the Royal Albert Hall in London as part of the BBC Proms. Broadcasting work includes studio sessions for BBC Radio and television, although the orchestra’s concerts form the bulk of its broadcasts, transmitted primarily on BBC Radio 3 but also on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru and BBC television.

The orchestra performs a wide repertoire including contemporary music. The post of Composer in Association is held by Simon Holt.

From as early as 1928, there were several attempts to create a permanent professional orchestra in Wales. The predecessors of the BBC National Orchestra of Wales were conducted by, among others, Edward Elgar, Thomas Beecham, Henry Wood, Malcolm Sargent and Adrian Boult. Problems with funding and the interruption of World War II meant that it wasn’t until 1946 that the notion of a national orchestra of Wales became sustainable, with Mansel Thomas as its first principal conductor. As it was titled, the BBC Welsh Orchestra grew steadily until it reached the full symphonic size of 88 players in 1987, becoming the BBC Welsh Symphony Orchestra. In 1993, the orchestra was renamed the BBC National Orchestra of Wales to reflect more suitably its special role as both a national orchestra and a BBC Performing Group.

Since 1983, the orchestra has been able to perform regularly alongside its own chorus, the BBC National Chorus of Wales, an amateur chorus of more than 80 singers whose current Artistic Director is Adrian Partington. The chorus is also featured in BBC radio and television broadcasts and performs internationally.

Both the orchestra and the chorus undertake a busy programme of education and community work through their RESOUND/ATSAIN department, which creates access to the players and singers for Welsh schools, groups, communities and musicians of all abilities.

The BBC National Orchestra and Chorus of Wales have moved out of their base at the BBC’s Broadcasting House in Cardiff into their new, purpose-built concert hall (BBC Hoddinott Hall) on the site of the Wales Millennium Centre in January 2009. It was named after the Welsh composer Alun Hoddinott.

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