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In 1930, an ambition to create a modern, leading orchestra for Britain became a reality. Three years in the planning, the Â鶹Éç Symphony Orchestra was designed to be a broadcasting and performing model of professionalism and adventurous programming, reflecting the values of the Â鶹Éç.

Only one thing hadn't quite been thought through: where to put it. It soon became apparent that a 100-piece orchestra would simply not fit into the cramped Â鶹Éç facilities at Savoy Hill. So the management hastily located a former wine warehouse under Waterloo Bridge. "Number 10," as it was affectionately known, became the first home of the Â鶹ÉçSO. Damp, with scurrying rats and a low rumble of traffic, this was the place where Schoenberg, Webern, Stravinsky and Richard Strauss met and rehearsed with the orchestra in its early days.

By 1932, the much awaited new Concert Hall in Â鶹Éç Broadcasting House was ready. Yet despite ecstatic billings, the planners had - once more - failed to appreciate the true size of a symphony orchestra. Not even the piano would fit through the doors. So, the resourceful management team went looking again and the Â鶹Éç Symphony Orchestra moved into a former roller skating rink at Maida Vale – where it remains to this day.

Under the baton of two outstanding principal conductors - Adrian Boult and Arturo Toscanini - the Â鶹Éç Symphony Orchestra brought a staggering amount of music to the public. Boult’s typically adventurous first public concert included Wagner's Flying Dutchman overture, Saint-Saëns’ cello concerto, Brahms fourth symphony and the relatively new Daphnis and Chloe Suite No 2 by Ravel.

This is one of 100 significant musical moments explored by Â鶹Éç Radio 3’s Essential Classics as part of Our Classical Century, a Â鶹Éç season celebrating a momentous 100 years in music from 1918 to 2018. Visit bbc.co.uk/ourclassicalcentury to watch and listen to all programmes in the season.

This archive recording is by Â鶹Éç Philharmonic Orchestra with conductor Yan Pascal Tortelier.

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