North Sea Radio Orchestra is a unique chamber group who perform music of beauty and originality that has at its heart a lyricism of a particularly English nature. Featuring wind, strings, percussion, guitars, organs and voices, theirs is a world in which melody and harmony abound.
Founded in Summer 2002 by Craig and Sharron Fortnam originally to perform Craig's classical works. He was trained at Dartington College of Arts, graduating in 1990, and never ceased to compose despite the attraction of pop. Since leaving Dartington, he has had pieces performed by esteemed groups such as the Kreutzer Quartet and the Britten Sinfonia. Craig and Sharron had previously worked together in the English psychedelic acoustic band Lake of Puppies with William D. Drake – this association continues as pieces by Drake are performed in the Orchestra and he has become involved as a performer, singing in the chorus and playing piano pieces as part of the ensemble.
North Sea Radio Orchestra has reinforced links between writers, singers and musicians on a prolific London scene drawing in members from surrounding projects and creating the opportunity, for some, to indulge in something classical in nature whether composing, performing or both. The Orchestra is committed to exposing the strength of the new British composers involved, to continue to premiere new works and to keep on growing. In the beginning, there were just eight musicians, now there are twenty members forming the Orchestra and the expanding North Sea Chorus. North Sea Radio Orchestra premieres works by Craig Fortnam, William D Drake and James Larcombe and also features improvisations and pieces composed collectively by its members. Many of the pieces are poetry settings and as well as classic lyrical poets such as Tennyson and Yeats, new poet Daniel Dundas Maitland is also featured. Solo vocal performances by Sharron Fortnam (described by Verity Sharp, presenter of Late Junction on Radio 3, as having a 'pure' voice) and Richard Larcombe lend a very English flavour to the music.
The Orchestra honed its craft in churches within the square mile of the City of London with concerts in St. Martin-within-Ludgate in the shadow of St. Paul's Cathedral, in St. Clement Eastcheap and St. Olave Hart Street. It was a rewarding experience which afforded the Orchestra the space and time to create a strong identity, musically and visually. They have since moved out of the square mile and indeed London including performances at St Giles in the Fields in London’s west end; Bush Hall, London and St. Michael's Church, Blewbury.
NSRO have attracted many glowing reviews for their live and recorded performances. Their first release ‘The Flower’ (oof! records - 7” single) has been broadcast many times on Radio 1, 2, 3 and 6music as well as regional stations. The success of the single can be attributed to the truly unique sound of NSRO - a strange alliance of various influences and elements: Benjamin Britten, Vernon Elliot, the Incredible String Band, London clay, Vaughan Williams, water from the Thames and shingle from Bankside.
what have people said about the NSRO debut album (oof!006)...
This is a beautiful debut....the structure of the album is impeccable, with instrumental miniatures sitting next to epic songs, and traditional folk numbers next to very 21st-century pieces. If you can stomach a little archaic language, this is unreservedly recommended. (Word Magazine Nov 2006)
North Sea Radio Orchestra is the surprise package of 2005 for those us excited to hear chamber strings, unite with English folk, romantic poetry, experimental organs, woodwind, choral music and even electric guitars.....an everchanging trip, blooming with melody and twinkling beauty from start to finish. (Foggy Notions Nov 2006)
It has to be said that the North Sea Radio Orchestra (NSRO) are doing something really quite special.....in their ability to ebb and sway and permeate through styles without erring away from the constant series of lush orchestrations, have created the most beautiful album of the year and could surely sway even the most ardent distortion-pedal freak to step back and open their minds and hearts to this. (Art Rocker)
No Doubt that North Sea Radio Orchestra are one of the most unusual propositions I've come across in a long time...a style of songwriting and a lyricism (nostalgic, pastoral, quaint) which is peculiarly English and suddenly, in their hands, timeless....one of the best albums, whatever the genre, that I have heard this year. (Leeds Guide)
The album as a whole feels like it is stepping easily between genres, sometimes classical, sometimes indie; inspired and compelling and often magical, like the soundtrack to a film that hasn’t been made yet. It’s a thoughtful, melodic and calming record that is sure to attract fans way beyond its classical base. (Subba-Cultcha)