Statsradiofoniens Orkester

Statsradiofoniens Orkester, also referred to as Radio-Orkestret, was the name of the first orchestra of Den Danske Statsradiofoni, the Danish national broadcasting corporation, from 1925 to 1942. One of the world’s oldest radio orchestras, it debuted with 11 musicians on 28 October 1925 conducted by Launy Grøndahl in a studio concert transmitted nationwide in Denmark. During the first few years the orchestra gradually grew to over 30 permanent musicians. Emil Reesen was employed as conductor in 1927 and the orchestra performed in public for the first time the same year. In 1928 it began to play regular weekly radio concerts. Nicolai Malko was recruited in 1930 as a regular guest conductor, and by 1931 it employed 58 musicians. Early concerts took place in the Axelborg building in Copenhagen. In 1931 the orchestra began to perform at Stærekassen (later renamed to Det Kongelige Teater, Nye Scene). In 1933 the weekly radio concert was given the name "Torsdagskoncert", a name it has kept to current date. After going into exile from nazi-Germany in the 1930’s, Fritz Busch worked extensively as a conductor of the orchestra. In 1942 the orchestra evolved into Statsradiofoniens Symfoniorkester under the direction Erik Tuxen (1936-57). The name of the orchestra has evolved over time as follows: - From 1925 to 1942: Statsradiofoniens Orkester - From 1942 to 1959: Statsradiofoniens Symfoniorkester - From 1959 to 1996: Danmarks Radios Symfoniorkester - From 1996 to 2008: DR Radiosymfoniorkestret - Since 2008: DR SymfoniOrkestret