The BBC Symphony Orchestra conducted by Gemma New. The orchestra is one of several financed by the BBC.
“The BBC has changed course on its proposed cuts to BBC English orchestras after pressure from musicians, the public and politicians,” writes Nadia Khomani in Thursday’s (4/13) Guardian (U.K.). “The cuts, which were announced in March, would have reduced roles in the BBC Symphony, Concert and Philharmonic orchestras by 20%. On Thursday, the corporation said that while it needed to make savings, it was committed to working with the Musicians’ Union to explore alternatives to what had been proposed. The BBC has already reversed its decision to scrap the BBC Singers chamber choir, which would have resulted in the loss of 20 posts, after fierce opposition from conductors, choirmasters and senior members of the government and the opposition…. The BBC said any alternative money-saving routes being explored would look to ensure BBC performing groups could be sustained. It also pledged to deliver the recommendations of its 2022 Classical Review strategy, including investing more in education, opening up the classical sector as a place to work, and innovating to bring classical music to new audiences.”
