This morning BBC Concert Orchestra has announced the appointment of Grammy and Juno award-winning conductor Bramwell Tovey as its new principal conductor, taking up his position in January 2018.

Audiences will be able to hear Bramwell conduct the BBC Concert Orchestra publicly for the first time since the announcement tomorrow (November 22) in a special edition of BBC Radio 3’s drive-time show In Tune, broadcast live from the orchestra’s base in Watford.

Bramwell says: “It is a great pleasure to accept the BBC’s invitation to join the BBC Concert Orchestra as Principal Conductor. My most recent appearance with the BBC Concert Orchestra was to lead them in the UK premiere of one of my own works, Urban Runway and a rare performance of John McEwen’s Solway Symphony for a live Radio 3 relay from Maida Vale - I was hugely impressed by their virtuosity and dedication in both the rehearsal process and performance.

“The BBC Concert Orchestra is a wonderful ensemble of exceptional musicians whose focus is devoted to sharing the art and spirit of music with its diverse audience. The orchestra’s activities in the field of music education, its commitment to contemporary music and the work of composer-in-residence Dobrinka Tabakova are all of particular interest to me. I am very excited about leading the BBC Concert Orchestra in the years ahead.”

The event at the Watford Colosseum will showcase works such as Bernstein’s Candide Overture, Copland’s Rodeo and Bramwell’s own composition, Lincoln Tunnel Cabaret with trombonist Peter Moore, the show will be broadcast live from 5pm to 7pm and available to listen again on BBC iPlayer for 30 days.

The following evening (November 23) Bramwell will conduct the BBC Concert Orchestra in a recording to be broadcast on December 1 in their weekly showcase - BBC Radio 2’s Friday Night is Music Night, the world’s longest-running live orchestral music programme on radio.

The concert will feature a selection of classic ‘Winter Warmers’, presented by Ken Bruce and recorded in front of a live audience at Watford Colosseum.

His new role will see him work with the orchestra for an initial period of five years including a Radio 3 concert at Watford Colosseum on February 15, 2018, before a number of performances in the BBC Concert Orchestra’s 2018-19 season at Southbank Centre, to be announced.  

As well as artistic programming, Bramwell will take a leading role in the BBC Concert Orchestra’s wide-ranging learning and education activities, including mentoring emerging conductors and orchestral players from a range of backgrounds who share the BBC CO’s appetite for musical versatility.

He will take the reins from Keith Lockhart, who has been Principal Conductor for seven years, leading the orchestra through performances including a special concert celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Olivier Awards in 2016, international tours to America and Abu Dhabi and an exploration of the music of composer John Williams in his 85th-birthday year at the 2017 BBC Proms.

Keith will continue his relationship with the orchestra in the new role of Chief Guest Conductor and will return next year to conduct a concert showcasing the music of Stephen Sondheim at the Royal Festival Hall (March 15, 2018). The BBC Concert Orchestra’s Conductor Laureate is Barry Wordsworth and Composer-in-Residence is Dobrinka Tabakova.