"Very occasionally in life you enjoy a classical music concert that's faultless. This performance by the BBC National Orchestra of Wales was one such occasion" - Western Mail, 20 January 2006

BBC National Orchestra of Wales occupies a special role as both a national and broadcasting orchestra, acclaimed not only for the quality of its performances but also for its importance within its own community.

The Orchestra has won considerable critical and audience acclaim over recent years, under its formidable conducting team of Principal Conductor Thierry Fischer, Principal Guest Conductor Jac van Steen and Conductor Laureate Tadaaki Otaka. September 2008 saw the arrival of Associate Guest Conductor Francois-Xavier Roth, who adds a further dimension to the team. In February 2006 the Orchestra appointed Guto Puw as it Resident Composer, and commissioned him to write three works. In 2008 Simon Holt took up the role of Composer-in-Association, a post previously held by Michael Berkeley, consolidating the ensemble's commitment to performing contemporary music.

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.

In January 2009, the Orchestra celebrated its move its new state-of-art recording and rehearsal base, BBC Hoddinott Hall at Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff.

The Orchestra enjoys close working relationships with radio and television programme makers and recorded the soundtracks to BBC Wales' Doctor Who and Torchwood series.