BBC Philharmonic Orchestra

Founded as the 2ZY Orchestra in 1922, this Manchester-based BBC orchestra went through a series of name changes - Northern Wireless Orchestra (1926), Northern Studio Orchestra (1930), BBC Northern Orchestra (1934) and BBC Northern Symphony Orchestra (1967) before adopting its current name, the BBC Philharmonic, in 1982.

Based in Salford Quays since 2011, it is one of the BBC's house orchestras. Its main concert series takes place at Manchester's Bridgewater Hall, but it plays at various venues in the north of England, including Hanley, Kendal, Leeds and Nottingham, where many of its concerts are reviewed by Classical Music Daily's Mike Wheeler.

As one of the BBC's six performing orchestras and choirs, it records programmes for BBC Radio 3 and has made more than 250 recordings for Chandos Records. The orchestra also works closely with BBC Research and Development, exploring new technology, including the future and evolution of audio.

Further information: www.bbc.co.uk/philharmonic

 

A selection of articles about BBC Philharmonic Orchestra

CD Spotlight. A Must-have Disc - Martin Owen plays Strauss, Schumann and Weber, strongly recommended by Gerald Fenech. 'Martin Owen's command of this repertoire is just staggering, and his sheer virtuosity is nothing short of breathtaking.'

CD Spotlight. Strange and Haunting - Geoff Pearce listens to music for voices and orchestra by Shostakovich. '... testament to John Storgårds' abilities to interpret this strangest of all Shostakovich's works ...'

CD Spotlight. Subtle Colours - Gerald Fenech is impressed by another volume in John Wilson's cycle of music by Eric Coates. '... the performances are consistently joyous and exciting ...'

Ensemble. An Important Voice - Mike Wheeler listens to Florence Price and Dvořák

CD Spotlight. Insightful and Compelling - Geoff Pearce is impressed by this Chandos recording of Shostakovich's Symphonies Nos 12 and 15. 'The BBC Philharmonic Orchestra is totally committed to these works and the playing, both solo and in ensemble work, is of the highest order.'

Ensemble. Simply Outstanding - Mike Wheeler listens to Dukas, Elgar, Tabakova and Walton from Zlatomir Fung, Ben Gernon and the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra

CD Spotlight. Some Delicious Playing - Geoff Pearce listens to Stravinsky. 'The BBC Philharmonic's performance is fine indeed ...'

CD Spotlight. A Magnificent CD - Geoff Pearce listens to music by Ruth Gipps. 'The BBC Philharmonic responds magnificently ...'

Ensemble. Shaped with Care - Mike Wheeler listens to Sibelius, Grieg and Dvořák from Derby Concert Orchestra and guest conductor Bob Chasey

Ensemble. Changing Moods - Mike Wheeler listens to a talk about, then a performance of, Elgar's Symphony No 1

Ensemble. Wonderfully Gutsy - Mike Wheeler listens to Franz Schmidt, Rachmaninov and Dvořák in Nottingham

Ensemble. Artificially Injected? - Mozart from Omer Meir Wellber and the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra with 'a number of surprises' as part of the Buxton International Festival Digital 2020 Season, experienced by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Vaughan Williams and Jazz? - Mike Wheeler listens to a talk from Stephen Johnson, and to two works by Vaughan Williams played by John Wilson and the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra

CD Spotlight. High Praise - Gerald Fenech listens to film music by Gerard Schurmann. 'Notes and sound are superb. A must for film addicts.'

Ensemble. Magisterial Creativity - Patrick Maxwell visits London to hear Haydn's 'The Creation' at the BBC Proms

Ensemble. Roads of Genius - Mike Wheeler listens to Bohuslav Martinů's Fourth Symphony

CD Spotlight. Pianistic Acrobatics - Louis Lortie's Saint-Saëns thrills Anett Fodor. 'Louis Lortie's wonderfully led singing melodic lines, outstanding technique, musicality and cooperation with the conductor as well as the outstanding orchestral playing demand one's full attention.'

Ensemble. Bracing Energy - Beethoven and Tchaikovsky from Pavel Kolesnikov, Vassily Sinaisky and the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra impress Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. The Great American Symphony? - Mike Wheeler listens to music by Aaron Copland, as played by John Wilson and the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra

CD Spotlight. Many Similarities - Orchestral music by George Antheil, heard by Geoff Pearce. '... the performances are committed and of high quality from all concerned, and the Chandos sound is sumptuous.'

Ensemble. Genuinely Hard-won - Mike Wheeler listens to Nicholas Collon and the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra playing Shostakovich's Eighth Symphony, preceded by Stephen Johnson's illustrated introduction

Ensemble. Vividly Coloured - Prokofiev from the BBC Philharmonic, reviewed by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Symphonic Thinking - Smetana, Bartók and Dvorák from Augustin Hadelich, Juanjo Mena and the BBC Philharmonic, reviewed by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Gallic Elegance - Alexandra Soumm joins Juanjo Mena and the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra for music by Ginastera, Lalo, Telemann, Bizet and Ravel, impressing Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Something More Fluid - Mike Wheeler listens to Stephen Johnson 'discovering music', and to the BBC Philharmonic and Juanjo Mena

Ensemble. Tragic Splendour - More Britten from Paul Daniel and the BBC Philharmonic, heard by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. A Runaway Success - Juanjo Mena and the BBC Philharmonic impress Mike Wheeler

CD Spotlight. Lively Forms - Music by Joaquín Turina, heard by Patric Standford. '... superbly performed ...'

Ensemble. Spiritual Heroism - Grieg and Sibelius from John Storgårds and the BBC Philharmonic impress Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Exhilaratingly Refreshing - Yutaka Sado and the BBC Philharmonic, heard by Mike Wheeler

CD Spotlight. A Sovereign Recording - Maxwell Davies' Symphony No 2, recommended by Howard Smith. '... dynamic in all respects.'

Ensemble. Powerfully Involving - Juanjo Mena and the BBC Philharmonic, heard by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Superb Control - Wagner, Bruch and Elgar in Nottingham, enjoyed by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Delightfully Engaging - Alison Balsom plays Hummel's Trumpet Concerto, heard by Mike Wheeler

CD Spotlight. Sovereign Advocacy - Haydn, Hummel, Leopold Mozart and Neruda trumpet concertos, recommended by Howard Smith. '... expect nothing but the best ...'

CD Spotlight. High Spirits - Music by Dohnányi, heard by Howard Smith. '... the Buffalonians ... make their virtuosity seem almost effortless ...'

Ensemble. Performance to Cherish - Lawrence Budmen submits a further report from the Tanglewood Festival 2010

Thoroughly Impressed - Maria Nockin talks to baritone Alan Opie, who is about to sing Germont for San Diego Opera

Ensemble. Shattering Conviction - Mike Wheeler listens to Markus Stenz and the Hallé in music by Colin Matthews and Mahler

Ensemble. A Cogent Argument - Mike Wheeler listens to Stephen Johnson and the BBC Philharmonic

Ensemble. Compact and Imaginative - Judith Bingham's 'Shakespeare Requiem' receives its first performance, heard by Patric Standford

Ensemble. Tremendous Energy - Mahler and Mozart in Nottingham, reviewed by Mike Wheeler

Planning your collection - Zoltan Kodaly -

Planning your collection - Global Fascinations and Sophistications - Bill Newman continues his series