From its foundation in 1948 as the Radio Éireann Symphony Orchestra the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra (formerly known as the National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland) has been at the forefront of symphonic music in Ireland. Today, the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra plays a central role in classical music in Ireland through year-long programmes of live performances, schools and educational projects, broadcasts, recordings and new commissions.
World-class conductors associated with the orchestra’s early days were Jean Martinon, Hans Schmidt-Isserstedt, Edmond Appia, Milan Horvat, Sir John Barbirolli and Tibor Paul. Distinguished guest artists and composers with whom the orchestra has worked include Josef Szigeti, Isaac Stern, Henryk Szering, Ruggiero Ricci, Wilhelm Kempff, Julius Katchen, Vladimir Ashkenazy, Martha Argerich, Radu Lupu, Joan Sutherland, Angela Gheorghiu, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, Luciano Pavarotti, Plácido Domingo, José Carreras, Mstislav Rostropovitch, Paul Tortelier, Sir James Galway, Constantin Silvestri, Charles Dutoit, Sir Charles Groves, Witold Lutosławski, Olivier Messiaen, Karlheinz Stockhausen, Steve Reich, Arvo Pärt and Bill Whelan.
he orchestra has been critically acclaimed for its recordings across labels including Naxos, Claves and RTÉ lyric fm. They include the Composers of Ireland series, a landmark recording project funded by RTÉ and The Arts Council making the orchestral music of major Irish composers commercially available, and recordings of selected orchestral works by Aloys Fleischmann, Frederick May and Seán Ó Riada.
Full details of all upcoming RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra concerts are available on orchestras.rte.ie.