BBC National Orchestra of Wales

BBCNOW/Bancroft review – panache, poignancy and a howl of protest

Ryan Bancroft’s first concert as principal conductor packed an emotional punch with a suite of American classics and a fierce new commission by Gavin Higgins

Tim Ashley

10, Sep, 2020 @11:12 AM

Beethoven: the 1808 concert review – a remarkable evening, then, and now

Two conductors, two orchestras and two pianists recreated this historic four-hour four-premiere concert in a passionate and glorious evening of music

Rian Evans

20, Jan, 2020 @12:36 PM

BBCNOW/Peleggi – defiant heroines shine for International Women's Day

Composers Joan Tower, Clara Schumann, Augusta Holmès and Florence Price brought romanticism and exuberance to this celebratory concert, helmed by Valentina Peleggi

Rian Evans

10, Mar, 2019 @1:46 PM

BBCNOW/Paterson – Mealor's third symphony seeks the spiritual

From Paul Mealor’s Illumination to Jonathan Dove’s Sunshine, this BBC National Orchestra of Wales concert was filled with light

Rian Evans

03, Dec, 2018 @3:35 PM

Finzi: Cello Concerto; Grand Fantasia and Toccata, etc CD review - perfectly captures Finzi's wistful voice

Gerald Finzi’s Cello Concerto ranks among the finest British works for cello and orchestra, and Paul Watkins’ warmly expressive but slightly detached performance suits the work perfectly

Andrew Clements

07, Sep, 2018 @4:51 PM

Prom 17: BBCNOW/Brabbins review – affirmative, jaunty, with hints of school assembly

The Proms’ centenary-year tribute to Hubert Parry, the composer of Jerusalem, paired his tight Fifth symphony and a choral work with Vaughan Williams and Holst

Andrew Clements

29, Jul, 2018 @11:44 AM

Prom 11: BBCNOW/Thomas Søndergård review – bowing out in style

The BBC National Orchestra of Wales’s principal conductor signs off with a performance of heady abandon

Tim Ashley

23, Jul, 2018 @3:25 PM

Gruff Rhys and the BBC National Orchestra of Wales review – lush, epic frontiers of Welsh pop

New album Babelsberg was well-suited to the grand occasion, with flavours of Glen Campbell among spacious melodies

Jude Rogers

12, Jun, 2018 @2:22 PM

BBC NOW/Van Steen review – dynamic showcase of young Welsh composers

An invigorating, emotional programme of works by Boden, Lewis and Puw showed how committed conductor Jac van Steen is to championing new talent

Rian Evans

29, Mar, 2018 @12:42 PM

BBCNOW/Wigglesworth review – Watkins’s shapely Spring sparkles

Huw Watkins’s new work is Spring is a subtle tone poem that felt a little too well-mannered. Strong soloists brought class to Beethoven’s Ninth, but real fire was missing

Andrew Clements

22, Jan, 2018 @5:44 PM