History of the Orchestra

Across eighty years the BBC Symphony Orchestra has probably given a wider variety of premieres of new and important works than any other leading orchestra. Well over a thousand works have been commissioned, premiered or introduced to British audiences by the BBC SO.

This highly selective list of world and UK premieres omits some important works but highlights some of the composers who have worked with the orchestra; the list is a remarkable roll-call of some of the most significant creative figures of the twentieth century, whose work the BBC Symphony Orchestra has done much to nurture and support.