Eurovision Classical Concerts celebrates great music and the world-class orchestras working with public service broadcasters around Europe, presented by acclaimed conductor Nicholas Collon.

A pioneering new series from BBC Arts showcasing some of the best broadcast and independent orchestras, alongside a quartet of today’s most exciting young conductors, signals the first new Eurovision music co-production with the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) since Eurovision Young Musicians, which first aired in 1982.

Eurovision Classical Concerts celebrates four talented and versatile ensembles that not only love and perform the classics of the repertoire to the highest standards, but commission and premiere the classics of the future, playing a unique part in moulding the musical landscape in Europe. 

Featuring the world’s oldest radio orchestra, the BBC’s Philharmonic Orchestra, WDR’s Symphony Orchestra, Yle Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra and RTP partner the Gulbenkian Orchestra, the series will tell their stories in a fresh and engaging way, intertwined with music that displays the orchestras’ individuality and versatility, while shining a light on the cities and concert halls they perform in.  

The four concerts are filmed at some of Europe’s most iconic and inspiring concert venues and will be broadcast on BBC TV and offered to all 113 EBU Member organisations across 56 countries, reaching a potential audience of millions. 

Suzy Klein, Head of BBC Arts and Classical Music TV, said: “BBC Arts is delighted to be partnering with some of the leading broadcasters of the EBU, joining forces to present some of the great classical ensembles of Europe. Together, we wanted to show how richly talented these orchestras are, and to present them side by side under the banner of our shared vision of public service broadcasting.”

Jean Philip De Tender, Director Media and Deputy Director General at the EBU, said: “This collaboration marks an exciting new chapter in the EBU’s commitment to supporting world-class music co-productions among our Members. Eurovision Classical Concerts is not only a celebration of exceptional orchestras from across Europe, but a testament to what’s possible when public service broadcasters come together with a shared vision. We’re proud to be working with BBC Arts and we look forward to seeing more Members take part in shaping the future of classical music broadcasting.”

Nicholas Collon, Chief Conductor of the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, said: “For the last 100 years, radio and television have helped shape everyday life. From those first crackly radio and fuzzy television programmes, many broadcasters were hungry for music and so radio orchestras were born. Now you’re just as likely to see these orchestras on television and online as hear them on the radio, and I’m absolutely thrilled to take audiences on a tour around Europe, whose cities are home to the world’s best orchestras, to celebrate four exciting and innovative groups of musicians – and the concert halls they play in. 

From the very first radio orchestra, the BBC Philharmonic, to the one where I’m chief conductor, the Finnish Symphony Orchestra; along with the WDR Symphony Orchestra and the Gulbenkian Orchestra in Lisbon, Eurovision Classical Concerts is a great way to celebrate the versatility of these much-loved groups of musicians and bring them to an even wider audience.”

Repertoire will include:

BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, Aviva Studios in Manchester, United Kingdom 

Adams A short ride in a fast machine 
Tchaikovsky Swan Lake - selection 
Vaughan Williams Fantasia on Greensleeves 
Adès Dante: The Earthly Paradise; The Heavenly Procession; The Ascent 
Encore: Moross, The Big Country main title 

Ben Gernon, conductor 

Gulbenkian Orchestra, Grande Auditório of the Gulbenkian Foundation in Lisbon, Portugal 

Smetana Vltava 
Debussy La Mer
Ravel La Valse

Aziz Shokhkimov, conductor 

WDR Symphony Orchestra, Philharmonie in Cologne, Germany 

“Fairytale Sounds” 
Lyadov - The Enchanted Lake
Stravinsky Petrushka (1947 version)
Potential encore to be discussed 

Marie Jacquot, conductor 

Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, The Music House in Helsinki, Finland 

Kaija Saariaho: Le ciel d'hiver 
Uuno Klami: Kalevala-Suite 
Sibelius: Finlandia 

Nicholas Collon, conductor 

Production credits: 

Eurovision Classical Concerts is a co-production from BBC Arts and the European Broadcasting Union (EBU).

The project manager for EBU is Amelie Rossignol. The Executive Producer is Peter Maniura and the Commissioning Editor for BBC Arts is Stephen James-Yeoman.