The History of the National Symphony Orchestra
MUSIC DIRECTOR: ANTHONY INGLIS
ARTISTIC DIRECTORS: ANNE COLLIS & JUSTIN PEARSON.
began in the 1940s, when it was making an average of 10 records a year for DECCA with
famous conductors and soloists such as Dr.Malcolm Sargent, Fistoulari, Boyd Neel,
Moura Lympany, Clifford Curzon and Ida Haendel. This fine orchestra also recorded the music for many films, notably "Caesar and Cleopatra", the cult film, "Brief Encounter", "The Magic Bow", "Love Story" (which contained the famous "Cornish Rhapsody") and "Men of Two Worlds", with music by Arthur Bliss and under the direction of Muir Mathieson. Many of these film scores were recorded at Abbey Road Studios.
One of the main things which distinguished the NSO from the other orchestras during the war years was that almost all the musicians were serving in the forces, and therefore unlike the LSO and LPO of the day (who relied on those who were too old or unfit for military service) were composed of young men such as Gareth Morris, Dennis Brain and Norman del Mar. The records made between '44 and ‘46 are considered by experts to be outstanding, especially when compared with pre-war orchestras.
During this time the Leader of the Orchestra was David MacCallum, (father of the star of "The Man from U.N.C.L.E.") and there were many other great names in its ranks, such as Douglas Cameron, Alec Whittaker and James Blades, who describes in his autobiography a notable tour of Switzerland in 1946, culminating in the entire Orchestra being presented (after the performance) to a very impressed Richard Strauss!
Since the 1980s the orchestra owes much of its increasing reputation and high standards to its Artistic Directors Anne Collis and Justin Pearson. Since that time the orchestra has been performing all over Great Britain, abroad and in the major London concert halls. The NSO is regularly making records again as well as film and TV work. They have been recording more than 40 major classic musicals for THAT’S ENTERTAINMENT RECORDS.
Members of the NSO can be heard on many major film soundtracks, and among the many stars with whom they have appeared are Reba McEntire and Sir Cliff Richard, who was backed by the ladies of the NSO string section at the Royal Albert Hall. The NSO has shared the stage in Hyde Park with Sir Elton John and STEPS, have also backed the group Morcheeba, appeared in Stephen Fry’s ‘BRIGHT YOUNG THINGS, and ‘DE-LUVELY’ - the film of the life of Cole Porter for MGM with Kevin Kline and Robbie Williams, Sheryl Crow, Elvis Costello, Diana Krall and many more luminaries from the world of popular music. Other films in which members of the NSO feature are ‘MRS HENDERSON PRESENTS’, ‘VANITY FAIR’, ‘ALEXANDER’. ‘ THE EDGE OF LOVE’, ‘YOUNG VICTORIA’, ‘THE DUCHESS’ and the new version of ALICE IN WONDERLAND, starring Johnny Dep- the latter starring Kiera Knightly. They have recently been involved in the remake of CLASH OF THE TITANS.
The NSO are delighted to be Katherine Jenkins’ orchestra for live concerts and tours. They accompany most of her UK tours and also regularly accompany Hayley Westenra, Nicky Spence, Blake, Russell Watson, Goldfrapp, Gardar Cortes and Vanessa Mae. In 2010 they are delighted to be able to include Dame Kiri Te Kanawa and The Priests in this list. They have been privileged to appear with Leslie Garrett at the Hampton Court Festival, were involved in a sell-out tour of the UK with the iconic American ‘Rapper’, KanYe West, with whom they also appeared at The Brits, where he won the award for Best International Male Artist. The NSO also tours Europe at least twice a year with ABBA The Show, featuring all their best songs, with the Swedish tribute group Waterloo, and some of the original band members, backed by the NSO, which spectacular concert they also brought to the Royal Albert Hall in September 2007 and will be touring the UK in December 2009.
In August 2009 The NSO made their first Proms Tour on the Cunard Flag Ship the QM2, where they achieved an official 97% approval rating! In fact, it was so successful that they have been invited to do it again in May 2010.
STOP PRESS! The orchestra appeared on Ant & Dec’s new game show PUSH THE BUTTON on the 6th March, you can see it on the ITV website for a few weeks. We on appearing again on the 4th April.
The National Symphony Orchestra chooses its players not only for their musical talent and technical ability, but also for their desire to give of their best at all times and to enjoy doing it! This enthusiasm conveys itself very clearly to audiences, who always respond positively.
