Netherlands Radio Choir

The Netherlands Radio Choir (Groot Omroepkoor), active since its founding after the conclusion of World War II, is the top symphonic vocal accompanist group in The Netherlands, known for its versatile approach to classical and contemporary repertoire. So named for their evergreen presence on Dutch public radio broadcasts -- a rich tradition that began in the early 20th century (perhaps more broadly than any other European nation) and restarted after The Netherlands' primary radio transmitters were captured by the Nazis -- the chorus has a long association with two of the country’s most notable orchestras, the Radio Philharmonic and the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, each of whom recruited them for decades of albums performing classical repertoire from Beethoven to Mahler on Philips and RCA Red Seal. The group has also premiered works by Dutch composers (Peter-Jan Wagemans, Bart Visman, Giel Vleggaar) and performed many by other writers throughout Europe. One such notable highlight was Scottish composer James MacMillan's a cappella work Sun-Dogs, which was recorded to acclaim in 2010. Since sharing a Concertgebouw Prize with the Radio Philharmonic in 2017, the Netherlands Radio Choir has continued to perform works on stages across the continent as well as on record, most recently 2025's The Voice of the Beloved, renditions of sacred choral works by Frank Martin, Jean-Yves Daniel-Lesur, and Oliver Messiaen. ~ Mike Duquette, Rovi