Tomorrow, Tuesday 21 January, we celebrate the fifth anniversary of our move to BBC Hoddinott Hall in the iconic Wales Millennium Centre. It was back in January 2009 that we first welcomed the public into what the Guardian described as a 'much-needed home' for the orchestra.
BBC National Orchestra of Wales performing at Hoddinott Hall. Image: Geraint Tellem
Previously, the orchestra was based in Studio 1 of BBC Broadcasting House, Llandaff, a studio that could be described (perhaps fittingly) as being akin to a very large padded cell.
The orchestra recorded many award winning albums from Studio 1 and enjoyed a great many successes. However, by the beginning of the new millennium, it was clear that the best interests of the orchestra were not being served by its current home.
Studio 1 was windowless, airless, and the musicians would be crushed in like sardines. The volume could be deafening and rather unpleasant (which was most certainly not a reflection upon the playing). Although the orchestra frequently performed for studio audiences, the lack of room meant that numbers were severely limited.
Moving to Hoddinott Hall was the beginning of a new chapter for the orchestra (although the Broadcasting House canteen is still very much missed). The hall is purpose built, with great facilities including practice rooms, a smaller chamber hall, showers, dressing rooms, management and administrative offices, and a common room.
The hall is used as a rehearsal and recording studio and as a concert hall which can seat an audience of around 350. The acoustic is warm and generous. Special flooring, moveable curtains and wood panelling make the acoustic adjustable and suitable for all purposes, including chamber performances. It is also a very pretty hall.
However, in my opinion it is not just the hall’s aesthetic and acoustic characteristics that are important. The Wales Millennium Centre houses a wide range of Welsh and Wales based talent: Welsh National Opera, National Dance Company Wales, Literature Wales, Ty Cerdd, Urdd, Hijinx, and the Touch Trust are just our permanent neighbours, and there are always visiting companies too.
The WMC should become a national landmark that is the proud host of the cream of Welsh talent - surely something that should be nurtured and celebrated, in Wales and beyond. I hope that as the years pass there will be increasing opportunities for cross pollination between these organisations. What an exciting place that would be to work and visit - an arts venue abuzz with ideas and passion for the arts!
Our programme on Tuesday evening will reflect the orchestra’s time in our new premises with works by the hall’s namesake, Alun Hoddinott, and by Simon Holt, our composer-in-association. Our wonderful chorus, in their 30th anniversary year, will be joining us for celebratory works by Bernstein and Parry, and Welsh born soprano Rosemary Joshua will perform Mozart’s Exsultate Jubilate. The orchestra will be conducted by Grant Llewellyn, and you can hear it live on BBC Radio 3.
We have lots of great ‘Afternoon at Hoddinott Hall’ concerts coming up (and a few evening ones too). If you haven’t yet had the pleasure of attending a concert in this lovely venue, make 2014 the year you do so.
The BBC National Orchestra of Wales’ celebratory concert takes place Tuesday 21 January 2014 at BBC Hoddinott Hall. For tickets call 0800 052 1812.