BBC Hoddinott Hall 2025-26

Up to twenty brilliant disabled and non-disabled young musicians from the National Open Youth Orchestra (NOYO) join guest players from BBC NOW in a concert that redefines what a modern orchestra can be.

We mark the 250th anniversary of the signing of the document of independence with an all American programme featuring some of the most famous American composers in history, from Copland, Barber and Bernstein to William Grant Still and Christopher Tin.

Principal Conductor Ryan Bancroft takes to the podium for his final concert in the title role as we draw our 2025-26 Season to a close, starting with Stravinsky’s symphonic poem Song of the Nightingale.

Although less frequently performed that some of his other symphonies, Beethoven’s Second Symphony is a snapshot of Beethoven at his most humorous. Unpredictability and playfulness tally with a bold explosion of joy in this vividly contrasting symphony.

Earthly travail lead to heavenly bliss in Strauss’ Death and Transfiguration. To conduct we welcome back award-winning French conductor Alexandre Bloch.

Striking a balance between the light-hearted and the noble, Elgar’s Variations are an ingenious collection of musical sketches of his friends plus an astute self-portrait; an enigma hidden within the score.