The orchestra is performing 12 times at the 2025 BBC Proms under its principal conductor Sakari Oramo, among others – including on the First Night and Last Night. But who are the BBC Symphony Orchestra?
Who are The BBC Symphony Orchestra?
The BBC Symphony Orchestra (BBC SO) is a British orchestra based in London, and one of the BBC’s five orchestras – alongside the BBC Philharmonic, BBC Concert Orchestra, BBC National Orchestra of Wales and BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra.
At the heart of British cultural life since it was founded in 1930, the orchestra plays a central role in the BBC Proms at the Royal Albert Hall in London, performing at the First and Last Nights, as well as throughout each Proms season. The BBC SO gives an annual season of concerts at the Barbican in London, as well, where it is associate orchestra.
It has a special commitment to contemporary music, and premieres a number or works every season, in addition to devoting Total Immersion days to specific composers or themes, such as George Walker and Kaija Saariaho during the 2022-23 season. Previous Total Immersion composers have included John Cage, James MacMillan, Elliott Carter, Sofia Gubaidulina, Michael Tippett, George Benjamin and Thomas Adès.
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The great majority of the BBC SO’s performances are broadcast on BBC Radio 3, streamed online and are available for 30 days thereafter on BBC Sounds and iPlayer. Its studio recordings often feature up-and-coming talent, including members of BBC Radio 3’s New Generation Artists scheme.
When was the BBC Symphony Orchestra formed?
The orchestra was founded in 1930 as the first permanently salaried orchestra in London.
The idea was originally conceived by Sir Thomas Beecham (pictured above, right) in collaboration with the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). Since its establishment in 1922, the BBC had broadcast with its own music ensembles, including the Wireless Orchestra. But when, in 1927, the corporation took responsibility for the Proms, Beecham decided that the BBC should have a permanent orchestra that could compete with the likes of the Berlin Philharmonic.
When Beecham withdrew from the project the next year, Adrian Boult – then director of music at the BBC – took charge of forming the orchestra, and charged violinist Albert Sammons and the violist Lionel Tertis to scout for new talent around the country. Although many of the principals were poached from the London Symphony Orchestra (LSO) and the Hallé, the majority of rank and file players were new graduates from music colleges.
Who are the orchestra's past conductors?
The BBC Symphony Orchestra’s former chief conductors are:
Sir Adrian Boult (1930–50)
Sir Malcolm Sargent (1950–57, pictured above)
Rudolf Schwarz (1957-62)
Antal Doráti (1962–66)
Sir Colin Davis (1967–71)
Pierre Boulez (1971–75)
Gennady Rozhdestvensky (1978–81)
Sir John Pritchard (1982–89)
Sir Andrew Davis (1989–2000, pictured below)
Leonard Slatkin (2000-2004)
Jirí Belohlávek (2006–12)
Sakari Oramo (2013-present)
Who is the BBC Symphony Orchestra's current chief conductor?
Finnish maestro Sakari Oramo is the BBC Symphony Orchestra’s current chief conductor, a role he has held since 2013. Formerly a violinist and concertmaster of the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Oramo was subsequently appointed co-principal conductor of the orchestra. Later he became principal conductor of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and chief conductor and artistic advisor of the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra.
The BBC Symphony’s principal guest conductor is Dalia Stasevska, while Semyon Bychkov is its Günter Wand Conducting Chair.
Who is the concertmaster of the BBC Symphony Orchestra?
The orchestra has two leaders: violinists Stephen Bryant and Igor Yuzefovich. Its sub-leader is Cellerina Park.
Where is the orchestra based?
The orchestra appears annually at the BBC Proms in London’s Royal Albert Hall and regularly at the Barbican, London, where it is orchestra in association.
Where can you watch BBC Symphony Orchestra broadcasts?
All broadcasts are available for 30 days on BBC Sounds and the BBC SO can also be seen on BBC TV and BBC iPlayer, and heard on the BBC’s online archive, Experience Classical.
Pics Getty Images
