BBC National Orchestra of Wales - About The Orchestra - Chorus

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BBC National Orchestra and Chorus of Wales

The orchestra is acclaimed not only for the quality of its performances but also for its importance within its own community.

BBC National Orchestra of Wales is Orchestra-in-Residence at St David's Hall, Cardiff, and also presents a concert series at the Brangwyn Hall, Swansea. As well as international touring, it is in demand at major UK festivals and performs every year at the BBC Proms and biennially at the prestigious BBC Cardiff Singer of the World.

The work of BBC National Orchestra and Chorus of Wales is supported by the Arts Council of Wales

Full biography of BBC National Orchestra of Wales

About the BBC National Chorus of Wales

"BBC National Chorus of Wales step with ease through stirring choruses, blissful songs and weaving counterpoint...Dyson's Quo Vadis is the CD discovery of the year." - The Times

BBC National Chorus of Wales was formed in 1983. It has developed into one of the leading large mixed choruses in the United Kingdom. While preserving its amateur status, the chorus works to the highest professional standards under its music director Adrian Partington, achieving enviable critical acclaim and enjoying a close performing relationship with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales.

The repertoire of the chorus is large and varied, extending from the Baroque period to the present day. It has given first performances of major works by Daniel Jones and Sir John Tavener and in June 2004 performed a new work by John Hardy commissioned for the chorus' 20th anniversary. Recent performances include the world premiere of Michael Berkeley's Gabriel's Lament and Haydn's Nelson Mass. The Chorus also has an extensive outreach programme, reaching communities across Wales with choral workshops.

The BBC National Chorus of Wales has made a number of CD recordings for the Chandos label including works by Franck, Rubbra, Tavener, Mendelssohn and Frank Bridge. Stanford's Song Of The Sea has been voted Gramophone record of the month, and Its recording of Dyson's Quo Vadis was runner-up in the choral category of the 2003 Gramophone Awards.

They perform across the UK, including Symphony Hall Birmingham, Exeter, Gloucester and Worcester Cathedrals as well as at the Royal Albert Hall in London for concerts at the BBC Proms. All performances are broadcast on national or regional radio or television.

BBC National Chorus of Wales have made numerous overseas visits seeing the chorus perform to great acclaim in Vienna, Amsterdam, Paris, Ghent, Lens, Tel Aviv and at the prestigious Savonlinna Opera Festival in Finland. The Chorus were invited to perform in Paris for a special concert at Theatre des Champs-Elysees with Ensemble Orchestral se Paris in September 2008 and returned again in September 2009.