BBC Concert Orchestra - About The Orchestra

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Biography

Hear and there...

Question: Where can you hear the BBC Concert Orchestra?
Answer: Er...in a concert hall?

Well, yes, that's true...but then, as Oscar Wilde observed in The Importance of Being Earnest, 'the truth is rarely pure and never simple'. And the truth about this unique orchestra is that, although in just over a year it has played an impressive 111 performances in halls across 14 UK towns and another 13 cities abroad - add travel time and rehearsals and the figures look even more impressive - the concerts don't tell the full story.

Full biography of the BBC Concert Orchestra

Conductor Laureate: Barry Wordsworth

Barry Wordsworth became the BBC Concert Orchestra's Conductor Laureate in 2006 after being Principal Conductor since 1989. Barry has made regular appearances with the BBC Concert Orchestra at the BBC Proms since his first televised appearance with them at the festival in 1989. He has toured extensively with the orchestra, including to Japan and the United States for their 50th Anniversary in 2002. Barry is also Music Director of the Royal Ballet Covent Garden, having previously held the position from 1990-95.

Principal Conductor: Keith Lockhart

Keith Lockhart took up the baton to become the BBC Concert Orchestra's seventh Principal Conductor in August 2010. Keith joins the BBC CO team whilst continuing his successful work with the Boston Pops, where he has been Conductor since 1995. Previous positions include Music Director for the Utah Symphony Orchestra from 1998-2009. His formidable experience in broad repertoire, allied with his love of all things British make him perfectly positioned to lead the BBC Concert Orchestra through to its 60th year in 2012 and beyond.

Principal Guest Conductor: Johannes Wildner

Johannes Wildner was appointed Principal Guest Conductor in August 2010. He joins the orchestra after holding positions as Chief Conductor of the Prague State Opera, First Permanent Conductor of the Leipzig Opera and General Music Director of the New Philharmonic Orchestra of Westphalia in Germany, from 1997-2007. At the beginning of his professional career Johannes spent 10 years as a violinist of the Vienna Philharmonic and is a renowned musicologist.