24 years of the Hallé residency
Having brought down the house at the Royal Concert Hall for over 40 years, the Hallé Orchestra are a big part of Nottingham Classics and our city's culture. Each of their recent performances has attracted a 5-star review, demonstrating their intimate knowledge of the Royal Concert Hall.
Formed by Sir Charles Hallé in 1858, they're an orchestra with a pioneering past; the oldest active orchestra in the UK, and the only one named after their founder. Since becoming Nottingham's resident orchestra in 2002 under the baton of Sir Mark Elder, the Hallé have gone from strength to strength, and now their exceptionally bright future is under the direction of their Principal Conductor, Kahchun Wong.
As Resident Orchestra, the Hallé perform four symphonic programmes each season along with a brilliant myriad of other orchestral events. Their versatility covers all bases, adapting to every occasion to deliver an outstanding performance, whether the music is a classical favourite from the likes of Beethoven or Stravinsky, fantastic film music, or a stylish arrangement of an 80s banger.
So, whether you hear your favourite music or something new, you know that the Hallé are an orchestra guaranteed to deliver an exceptional performance.
The Hallé's first concert at the Royal Concert Hall Nottingham was on Friday 11 March 1983, just after the building opened. James Loughran conducted Brahm's Alto Rhapsody and Mahler's Third Symphony, joined by Contralto Helen Watts and an ensemble of singers from Bingham & District Choral Society, Choristers of St. Mary's Church, and the High Pavement & Bluecoat School Choir.
Their first performance as Resident Orchestra was on 2 October 2002. Sir Mark Elder led the orchestra and choir through Holst's The Planets, Colin Matthews's Pluto, and William Walton's Belshazzar's Feast. Like the subjects of Holst's astronomical inspiration, Walton’s Belshazzar's Feast has now come full circle to serve as the epic grand finale to the Hallé's season in Nottingham on 4 June 2027.
Few competitions are more prestigious than the internationally acclaimed Gustav Mahler conducting competition, which occurs every three years. Kahchun won first prize in 2016, following in the footsteps of Gustavo Dudamel. Kahchun’s debut was with the Singapore Symphony Orchestra, and he’s conducted the China Philharmonic and Shangai Symphony. He conducted the Nuremburg Symphony Orchestra until 2022, and conducts the Japan Philharmonic Orchestra and Dresden Philharmonic in addition to the Hallé Orchestra. Perhaps a rare pastime amongst conductors, Kahchun is a keen surfer!
As Music Director of the Hallé from 2000 to 2024, Sir Mark Elder has led more performances on the Royal Concert Hall stage than any other conductor. We're delighted he's returning in April 2027, as Conductor Emeritus of the Hallé Orchestra, to lead a performance of Strauss's Ein Heldenleben (A Hero's Life). For many of us, Sir Mark is the true hero!
