12 Facts About BBC Symphony

1. BBC Symphony offended the BBC SO players by demanding that they all stand up when he came on to the platform—which they firmly declined to do.

2. BBC Symphony offended the BBC SO players by demanding that they all stand up when he came on to the platform—which they firmly declined to do.

3. BBC Symphony offended the BBC SO players by demanding that they all stand up when he came on to the platform—which they firmly declined to do.

4. BBC Symphony offended the BBC SO players by demanding that they all stand up when he came on to the platform—which they firmly declined to do.

5. BBC Symphony welcomed the fact that the orchestra's new principal guest conductor was David Robertson, a new-music expert and a protege of Boulez.

6. BBC Symphony was principal guest conductor of the orchestra from 1995 to 2000, and was the first past principal guest conductor of the orchestra to be named its chief conductor.

7. BBC Symphony held the post until 2000, the longest-serving chief conductor since Boult.

8. BBC Symphony refused to join the staff of the BBC, and insisted on remaining a freelance, taking numerous external engagements to the detriment of his work with the BBC SO.

9. BBC Symphony rapidly became equally unpopular with the BBC music department, ignoring its agenda and pursuing his own.

10. BBC Symphony offended the BBC SO players by demanding that they all stand up when he came on to the platform—which they firmly declined to do.

11. In 1927, the BBC Symphony took over the responsibility for the Promenade Concerts, widely known as "the Proms".

12. The BBC Symphony attempted to stop its contracted players sending deputies to rehearsals and even to concerts, but was unsuccessful.