BOURNEMOUTH Symphony Orchestra has become Classic FM’s orchestra for the south.

The radio station, which has 5.6m listeners, will broadcast a series of shows by the BSO as part of a new relationship recognising the continued success of the orchestra, Dougie Scarfe, chief executive of Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, said: “In our 120th consecutive year of music-making it is exciting to launch this new partnership with Classic FM and we are greatly looking forward to working together to inspire both our loyal supporters and build new audiences for the future.”

The partnership kicks off today with the new Saturday Nights at Seven series at Bournemouth Pavilion, which is being recorded for a later broadcast.

To celebrate the start of the series Classic FM is broadcasting presenter Jamie Crick’s show from Bournemouth from 3pm to 5pm.

The show at 7pm will feature Sibelius’ Karelia Suite, the Mozart Clarinet Concerto and Tchaikovsky Symphony No.4 conducted by Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra’s Young Conductor in Association Maxime Tortelier.

The BSO is the UK’s busiest Orchestra, presenting more than 140 performances each year across 35 venues in the South and South West of England, reaching 5,000 concert-goers each week.

Sam Jackson, managing editor, Classic FM said: “At Classic FM we believe classical music should be accessible to everyone and we’re delighted to launch this exciting new partnership with Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, an ensemble that shares our passion for bringing live music to as wide an audience as possible.”

As part of the efforts to introduce a new generation to the BSO a Kids for a Quid ticket scheme is being run for the concerts. Under-18s qualify and under-13s must be accompanied by a paying adult.

THE Saturday Nights at Seven series at the Pavilion starts tonight at 7pm Melodic Magic Sibelius Karelia Suite; Mozart Clarinet Concerto; Tchaikovsky Symphony No.4 Timothy Orpen (clarinet); Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra/Maxime Tortelier

  • Saturday, February 1, 7pm French Fancies II Bizet Carmen Suite; Rachmaninov Rhapsody on a theme of Paganini; Fauré Pelléas et Melisande; Fauré Elegy; Ravel Boléro Alexandra Dariescu (piano); Jesper Svedberg (cello) Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra/Maxime Tortelier
  • Saturday, March 1, 7pm Beethoven’s Fifth Wagner Siegfried Idyll; Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto; Beethoven Symphony No.5 Jennifer Pike (violin); Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra/ Rui Pinheiro
  • Saturday, March 22, 7pm Grand Tour Mendelssohn Hebrides Overture; Grieg Piano Concerto; Dvorák Symphony No.6 Joseph Moog (piano); Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra/Nicholas Collon
  • Saturday, April 12, 7pm Emperor Mozart Marriage of Figaro Overture; Beethoven Piano Concerto No.5; Brahms Variations on a theme of Haydn; Tchaikovsky 1812 Overture John Lill (piano); Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra/Maxime Tortelier
  • Saturday, May 24, 7pm Strictly Gershwin Gershwin Girl Crazy Overture; Rhapsody in Blue; An American in Paris Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra/Maxime Tortelier