Michael Garvey, director of the BBC National Orchestra and Chorus of Wales, introduces the new season ...
Launching a new concert season is always exciting, but launching your first season as director of a national orchestra is particularly energising. I’ve been in post since December, and in the last six months I have been truly amazed by the breadth and diversity that we deliver – both on the radio and in the concert hall.
Unlike many orchestras, we have a dual role as both a broadcast orchestra, and as an orchestra providing live classical music for the whole of Wales. We regularly perform in towns and cities including Bangor, Aberystwyth, Wrexham, Llandudno, Swansea, Newtown and Brecon – and at each venue we love to meet our audiences, who have a real passion for live classical music.
Bryn Terfel
There are many other highlights throughout the season this year – including some fantastic programmes led by our principal conductor Thomas Søndergård. Thomas has quickly built a strong relationship with the orchestra – we’re only now approaching his third year in post – and I know he’s keen to get his teeth into some big pieces. This season, look out for his interpretations of Mahler 2 and Sibelius 2 at St David’s Hall in Cardiff, and Shostakovich 10 and Bruckner 8 in a newly refurbished Brangwyn Hall in Swansea.
Plus ahead of BBC Cardiff Singer of the World in 2015, there’s a season of music at St David’s Hall celebrating the voice – where we’ll be working with fantastic performers including Ann Petersen, Neal Davies, Roderick Williams, Jeremy Ovenden and Jennifer Johnston. In Swansea, Thomas Søndergård works with three talented pianists in a season of piano concertos – with performances from Igor Levit, Benjamin Grosvenor and Stephen Hough.
Even if you don’t live in Wales, you can join us for our new season from the comfort of your home - as almost all of the concerts we do right across Wales and the UK can be heard on BBC Radio 3. It’s going to be a fantastic season of music – and we can’t wait to get started.
Watch Thomas Søndergård comment on the new season:
