Handshake

A History of the National Symphony Orchestra

The NSO began in the 1940s, when it was making an average of 10 records a year for DECCA with famous conductors and soloists such as Dr.Malcolm Sargent, Fistoulari, Boyd Neel,
Moura Lympany, Clifford Curzon and Ida Haendel. This fine orchestra also recorded the music for many films, notably Caesar and Cleopatra, the cult film, Brief Encounter, The Magic Bow, Love Story (which contained the famous Cornish Rhapsody) and Men of Two Worlds, with music by Arthur Bliss and under the direction of Muir Mathieson. Many of these film scores were recorded at Abbey Road Studios.

One of the main things which distinguished the NSO from the other orchestras during the war years was that almost all of the musicians were serving in the forces. Therefore unlike the LSO and LPO of the day (who relied on those who were too old or unfit for military service), the NSO was composed of young
men such as Gareth Morris, Dennis Brain and Norman del Mar.

The records made between '44 and ‘46 are considered by experts to be outstanding, especially when compared with pre-war orchestras.

During this time the leader of the orchestra was David MacCallum, (father of the star of The Man from U.N.C.L.E.)
and there were many other great names in its ranks, such as Douglas Cameron, Alec Whittaker and James Blades, who describes in his autobiography A Notable Tour of Switzerland in 1946, culminating in the entire Orchestra being presented (after the performance) to a very impressed Richard Strauss!

During the 1980s the orchestra owed much of its increasing reputation and high standards to its Artistic Directors, Anne Collis and Justin Pearson. Since that time the orchestra has been performing all over Great Britain, in the major London concert halls and overseas. The NSO has been making records again as well as film and TV work. They have recorded more than 40 major classic musicals for That’s Entertainment Records. These recordings are now beingreleased and are attracting seriously good reviews from the music press, as well as winning a Gramophone Award in 1997 for their recording of My Fair Lady and two nominations in 1998. The NSO has also performed a number of spectacular televised and recorded concerts under the direction of distinguished composers/conductors from the worlds of TV and Film, such as Barrington Pheloung, Anne Dudley, the late great Ron Goodwin and Debbie Wiseman.

Among the many stars with whom the National Symphony Orchestra has appeared include Reba McEntire and Sir Cliff Richard, who were backed by the ladies of the NSO string section at the Royal Albert Hall. The NSO has shared the stage in Hyde Park with Sir Elton John and Steps and they tour Europe twice a year with a hugely successful programme entitled ABBA – The Show, in which they work with members of the original backing group. They also backed the group Morcheeba for the launch of their new album, appeared in Stephen Fry’s Bright Young Things, and De-Luvley - the film of the life of Cole Porter for MGM with Kevin Kline, Robbie Williams, Sheryl Crow, Elvis Costello, Diana Krall and many more luminaries from the world of popular music. Other recent films in which members of the NSO feature are Mrs Henderson Presents, Vanity Fair, Alexandra, Wolf Man, Alice In Wonderland, Young Victoria and The Duchess to name but a few.

The NSO is proud to be Katherine Jenkins’ orchestra of choice for all her live summer concerts and also regularly accompany Russell Watson, Hayley Westenra, Lesley Garrett, Blake, Alfie Boe and many other top ‘cross-over’ artistes.

The orchestra has recently formed a Trust, for the purposes of bringing the love of classical music to deprived children, those with learning difficulties, the disabled and senior citizens.

The National Symphony Orchestra chooses its players not only for their musical talent and technical ability, but also for their desire to give of their best at all times and to enjoy doing it! This enthusiasm conveys itself very clearly to audiences, who always respond positively.