Radio Filharmonisch Orkest
More than 517 times played this month
The Radio Philharmonic Orchestra was founded in 1945 by Albert van Raalte. Since then, the orchestra has been led by a succession of conductors including Paul van Kempen, Bernard Haitink, Jean Fournet, Willem van Otterloo, Hans Vonk, Sergiu Comissiona, Edo de Waart, Jaap van Zweden, and Markus Stenz. In September 2019, American conductor Karina Canellakis took up the position of chief conductor. Stéphane Denève has been principal guest conductor since 2023.
The orchestra serves the Dutch public broadcasting system and features prominently in the broadcast series NTR ZaterdagMatinee and Het Zondagochtend Concert at the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, as well as in the AVROTROS Vrijdagconcert at TivoliVredenburg in Utrecht. In the Dutch music scene, the orchestra stands out for its uniquely programmed symphonic concerts and has also made a strong mark with concertante opera performances. Dutch premieres and world premieres are a regular part of its programming.
The Radio Philharmonic Orchestra occasionally performs abroad. Olivier Messiaen’s masterpiece La Transfiguration de Notre Seigneur Jésus Christ, performed in the Netherlands in June 2008 by the Radio Philharmonic Orchestra and the Netherlands Radio Choir under the direction of Reinbert de Leeuw, received extraordinarily enthusiastic reviews during the Musica Festival in Strasbourg in September 2008. In October 2009, the orchestra performed at the Sun Festival in Singapore with Jaap van Zweden. In March 2010, the orchestra toured the United Kingdom, Germany, and Austria. At the start of the 2011–2012 season, the Radio Philharmonic Orchestra and Jaap van Zweden made their successful debut at the BBC Proms.
In 2014, the Radio Philharmonic Orchestra received the Edison Oeuvre Award for its indispensable role in Dutch musical life. In September 2017, the orchestra, together with the Netherlands Radio Choir, was awarded the Concertgebouw Prize in recognition of their significant and sustained contribution to the artistic profile of the Amsterdam concert hall.
