BBC Radio Orchestra
| Company type | Broadcasting ensemble |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music, Broadcasting |
| Founded | 1964 |
| Defunct | 1991 |
| Headquarters | London , United Kingdom |
Area served | United Kingdom |
| Products | Studio orchestra performances and recordings |
| Parent | British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) |
The BBC Radio Orchestra was a broadcasting ensemble based in London, supported by the British Broadcasting Corporation from 1964 until 1991.
Established in 1964, this expansive and adaptable studio orchestra drew inspiration from figures like Nelson Riddle and Henry Mancini. It merged a comprehensive jazz Big Band with symphonic string sections. The orchestra was divided into segments labeled A through E, each tailored to fulfill different recording requirements; notably, the "C1" big band segment evolved into the BBC Radio Big Band. Its main role involved providing accompaniment for popular vocalists performing 'cover versions' and delivering instrumental arrangements on BBC Radio 2, particularly during the 1960s when BBC policies restricted commercial record broadcasts. Additionally, it showcased a broad repertoire of jazz and light music composed and arranged by prominent figures such as Robert Farnon, Angela Morley, Nelson Riddle, Neil Richardson, Ron Goodwin, and Leon Young. At its height, it was esteemed as one of the premier studio orchestras worldwide.
Although the BBC Radio Orchestra was dissolved in 1991, the BBC Big Band persisted as a full-time ensemble until 1994 before shifting to a freelance status while maintaining its original name and identity.
History
During the early 1960s, the BBC Radio Popular Music division managed both the BBC Revue Orchestra and the BBC Variety Orchestra. The Revue Orchestra originated as the BBC Television Orchestra in 1936, created by Hyam Greenbaum with a complement of 28 musicians. It was disbanded at the start of World War II but later reassembled as the BBC Revue Orchestra specializing in light variety music from Bangor, North Wales. Conductors during this period included Harry Rabinowitz (1953–1960). The BBC Variety Orchestra had been founded earlier in 1934 under Kneale Kelly, succeeded by conductors Charles Shadwell and Rae Jenkins.
Given their similar instrumentation and functions, plans were made to merge these ensembles. Michael Standing, head of sound broadcasting, proposed forming a versatile group of 56 musicians capable of creating multiple ensembles across five categories (A-E). On 9 September 1964, Mark White announced that this new group would be named The Radio Orchestra. Its inaugural broadcast occurred on 18 October 1964 on the BBC Light Programme show Sunday Best. The ensemble continued to be referred to as the "New Radio Orchestra" until late 1965.
The A Orchestra
At its inception, the Radio Orchestra consisted of 56 full-time musicians, including:
- 20 violins
- 6 violas
- 6 cellos
- 2 double basses
- Flute/piccolo/bass flute
- Flute/clarinet/alto saxophone
- Oboe/Cor Anglais
- 5 saxophones with woodwind doubling
- 4 trumpets
- 4 trombones (one bass trombone included)
- 2 percussionists (drums and auxiliary percussion)
- Piano
- Rhythm/jazz bass
- Harp
- Guitar
This group was frequently supplemented with additional string players, four French horns, tuba, bassoons, and extra percussionists, bringing its size close to 70 musicians. The Camden studio was uniquely equipped to accommodate the full A1 orchestra. Beginning in May 1967, a recording series entitled "This is the Radio Orchestra" featured weekly sessions led by various conductors such as Ron Goodwin, John Fox, John Gregory, Roland Shaw, Frank Chacksfield, "Monty" Mantovani, Johnny Harris, Geoff Love, and Nelson Riddle conducting his arrangements for Frank Sinatra. Produced by John Billingham and introduced by Michael Aspel, this series demonstrated the orchestra’s adaptability. Malcolm Lockyer served as the first resident conductor. After Camden's closure, activities were relocated to BBC’s Maida Vale Studios (studio MV3), sharing space with the BBC Symphony Orchestra.
The B1 and B2 Orchestras
The B1 Orchestra featured a 30-member big band with strings arrangement, drawing inspiration from Billy May and Nelson Riddle’s styles. Its instrumentation included five saxophones (also playing flutes and clarinets), four trumpets, four trombones, piano, guitar, bass, drums, ten violins, two violas, and two cellos. The pianist’s role was complemented by a celeste, an upright piano, and frequently an electric organ. The guitar was officially recognized as an added element. Informally called the Radio Showband—a nod to the late 1950s BBC Showband—this ensemble mirrored the makeup of the BBC Scottish Radio Orchestra.
The B2 Orchestra consisted of 26 musicians selected from the A Orchestra members not engaged in B1. This group comprised ten violins, four violas, four cellos, two basses, two flutes, an oboe, percussion instruments, harp, and guitar.
The C1 and C2 Orchestras
The C1 ensemble included 16 musicians forming a big band similar to B1 but expanded by the addition of guitar; this unit was known as the BBC Radio Big Band. The remaining 40 performers made up the C2 Orchestra, which followed a Frank Chacksfield-inspired style featuring 20 violins, six violas, six cellos, two basses (one being a jazz rhythm player), two flutes, oboe, percussion, harp, guitar, and piano. String sections within the Radio Orchestra were frequently led by arrangers such as John Fox, John Gregory, Ronnie Aldrich, and Neil Richardson.
D1, D2 and D3 Orchestras
The D1 orchestra duplicated the C1 configuration. The D2 resembled the B2 orchestra but had one fewer bass player and incorporated a piano. The D3 consisted solely of the B1 string section—ten violins, two violas, two cellos—plus a bass player; this arrangement proved less practical. To better align with arrangements used by Semprini, BBC producers transferred four violins from D3 to D2. Meanwhile, pianist and arranger Ken Moule employed the remaining string players alongside added drums.
E1, E2 and E3 Orchestras
Though planned but never realized, the E series comprised: E1 with seven musicians including four trumpets, electric organ, bass, and drums; E2 with 29 players encompassing a large ensemble of strings, woodwinds, brass instruments, percussion, harp, guitar, piano, and bass; and E3 with 20 members consisting of strings, bass, and saxophones. Trombone and saxophone sections were noted to be interchangeable within these formations. No recording sessions or performances took place for these groups.
Arrangements derived from various Radio Orchestra sections were utilized extensively by BBC Regional Radio Orchestras. The B1 through D ensembles corresponded to the largest regional orchestra—the BBC Scottish Radio Orchestra—which was occasionally expanded to A size. Additionally, the BBC Northern Radio Orchestra (previously known as BBC Northern Dance Orchestra) and the BBC Midland Radio Orchestra incorporated combinations from C and D groups in their lineups.
Closure
In 1979, changes in BBC's musical direction resulted in the dissolution of numerous light orchestras including several regional Radio Orchestras. This decision triggered a dispute with the Musicians' Union that affected the Proms. The BBC Radio Orchestra continued operating without a Principal Conductor until 1988 when Controller Frances Line appointed Iain Sutherland, whose leadership elevated the orchestra’s visibility through fresh programming initiatives. Despite this renewed prominence, the orchestra was unexpectedly disbanded in 1991. The BBC Big Band remained as a full-time entity until 1994 before shifting to freelance operation under external management.