The EBU, the European Broadcasting Union and the BBC, the British national broadcaster, are co-producing a new set of concerts celebrating Europe’s great orchestras.

Eurovision Classical Concerts is a new music co-production from BBC Arts and the EBU, marking the first new Eurovision classical music collaboration in over 40 years. The four-part series brings together leading public service broadcasters – BBC (UK), WDR (Germany), Yle (Finland), and RTP (Portugal) – to spotlight their exceptional radio orchestras, recorded in inspiring venues across Europe, including Manchester’s Aviva Studios, Lisbon’s Gulbenkian Foundation, Cologne’s Philharmonie, and Helsinki’s Music House.

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.  

Each episode is introduced by conductor Nicholas Collon, Chief Conductor of the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, and celebrates a distinct musical identity, repertoire, and city. The concerts will be offered to all 113 EBU Member organisations across 56 countries, reaching a potential audience of millions.

Each episode will be made available in both international (non-commentary), as well as a localised version for each participating broadcaster. Each episode will last approximately 57 minutes. The series will have a broadcast window of December 2025 through to January 2026.

Suzy Klein, Head of BBC Arts and Classical Music TV, had the following to say:

“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, had the following to say:

“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, had the following to say:

“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.”

Let us know what you think about the Eurovision Classical Concerts – either in the comments below or on our FACEBOOK, BLUESKY, TWITTER, YOUTUBE, INSTAGRAM and TIKTOK pages.

The Eurovision Community, which Eurovision Ireland are a part of, celebrates diversity through music. Please keep your comments respectful. We will not tolerate racism, sexism, ableism, homophobia, transphobia, body-shaming or any other derogatory or hostile language.

Author: Richard Taylor

Source: EBU