Radio Philharmonic Orchestra
Ensemble
The Radio Filharmonisch Orkest (Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra) was founded in 1945 by Albert van Raalte and was subsequently led by conductors such as Bernard Haitink, Jean Fournet, Hans Vonk, Edo de Waart, and Jaap van Zweden. Since September 2019, Karina Canellakis is their chief conductor; Stéphane Denève has been principal guest conductor since 2023. The orchestra has works with renowned guest conductors such as Stokowski, Muti, and Jansons, and has given (Dutch) premieres of music by, among others, Messiaen, Boulez, and Adès.
As the orchestra of Dutch public broadcasting, it features prominently in the broadcast series NTR ZaterdagMatinee, Het Zondagochtend Concert, and the AVROTROS Vrijdagconcert. Within Dutch musical life, the orchestra distinguishes itself through distinctively programmed symphonic concerts, and it has also carved out a notable profile in concertante opera performances. The orchestra also performs internationally, including at the BBC Proms and the Festival Musica in Strasbourg.
Its extensive discography includes Mahler symphonies under Edo de Waart, a Shostakovich series for BIS and Bruckner symphonies under Jaap van Zweden. In 2014, the orchestra received the Edison Oeuvre Award, and in 2017, together with the Groot Omroepkoor, it received the Concertgebouw Prize.
