RTÉ Announces Alex Walden as General Manager of the RTÉ Concert Orchestra
RTÉ Announces Alex Walden as General Manager of the
RTÉ Concert Orchestra
Alex Walden, renowned orchestra manager, most recently for the BBC Concert Orchestra, has been appointed as the new General Manager of the RTÉ Concert Orchestra, where he will be responsible for the over artistic vision of the ensemble, as well as the origination, implementation and quality of the RTÉ Concert Orchestra’s editorial strategy and programme. With his exceptional skills and experience, Alex will continue the development of the orchestra as a national flagship for music-making within Ireland, across the Island, and overseas.
Patricia Monahan, RTÉ’s Director of Audio, said: “Audiences adore the RTÉ Concert Orchestra, and quite rightly. Their performances have been a consistent source of joy, illumination and transformation for the hundreds of thousands who have seen the orchestra in person, or on television, or on the radio. The role of General Manager is key not only to protecting this precious legacy but in allowing it to reach new communities and new audiences. Alex, with his background with the BBC Concert Orchestra, is ideally placed to raise the curtain on this next exciting phase for an ensemble that was once named the world’s favourite orchestra.”
Alex Walden said: “The incredible versatility and energy of the RTÉ Concert Orchestra — and the remarkable musicians who bring its work to life — make it a truly vibrant and inspiring ensemble. Part of the unique beauty of the orchestra is how it forges, again and again, a very human connection between musician, instrument and audience, whether that’s watching or listening at home or sitting in a concert hall. The life of a broadcast orchestra is not only to serve itself, its broadcast colleagues and audiences – it must be a vital part of the national orchestra and arts ecosystem. As a deep and ever-renewing well of talent; as a place that ensures musicians can work and make a living; as a defining contributor to the overall standard and improvement of orchestral music in Ireland, the RTÉ Concert Orchestra is now only hugely important, it is outstanding. It will be my very great honour to make wonderful music together.”
Alex continued: “It’s always a privilege to help lead audiences into a lifelong appreciation of orchestral music. I never lose that sense of wonder watching musicians come together to create something that’s always greater than the sum of its parts. There’s a unique magic in the human connection and emotion that orchestral performance can evoke. Whether it’s classical, jazz, pop, film music, or any other genre, there are endless adventures to explore — and that’s what inspires me every day.”
Alex has worked in music and broadcasting since the mid-1990s, and has previously collaborated with the orchestras of RTÉ with David Arnold, working on the original station idents for RTÉ lyric fm as a music copyist and post-production editor. He went on to contribute to a number live concert broadcasts from the National Concert Hall with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra. As Orchestra Manager of the BBC Concert Orchestra, he managed an ensemble renowned for its versatility across live concerts, radio, television, and film recording.
Over seventeen years with the BBC, and with performances reaching millions, Alex led initiatives to strengthen the artistic and organisational health of the orchestra. He is passionate about the role of broadcast orchestras in public life, and believes that ensembles such as the RTÉ Concert Orchestra have a unique ability to inspire audiences and connect generations through music — from film scores and popular collaborations to the classical repertoire. He is deeply committed to nurturing the musicians who make that possible, ensuring orchestral music remains a vital and accessible part of national cultural life.
Alex will take up his role towards the end of January 2026.
ENDS
For information: Neil O’Gorman | Corporate Communications Manager, RTÉ | neil.ogorman@rte.ie
About the RTÉ Concert Orchestra
Founded in 1948, the RTÉ Concert Orchestra has a vibrant, eclectic repertoire encompassing popular, classical, jazz, traditional and more. It has performed with artists including Luciano Pavarotti, Lang Lang, Marvin Hamlisch, Lalo Schifrin and Sinéad O’Connor. A 90s dance music series with Jenny Greene won an IMRO Outstanding Achievement Award. The RTÉ CO has performed in seven Eurovision Song Contests; film credits include Stephen Rennicks’ score to Room and Brian Byrne’s Golden Globe-nominated score to Albert Nobbs. Other recordings include Howard Shore’s A Palace upon the Ruins and Flicker with Niall Horan. Live to screen performances include the Ireland premiere of The Nightmare Before Christmas with Danny Elfman and the world première of Room with live score. Work during the pandemic included Guy Barker jazz arrangements, an award-winning John Lennon tribute, a 50th anniversary Clannad celebration, a chart-topping single and a TV tribute to David Bowie featuring members of his own band. The Bowie project developed into live concerts in 2024 and 2025. Other recent projects include Thin Lizzy Orchestrated, a rare combination of blues and orchestra in The Delta Blues Project, introduced by Morgan Freeman, and Max Richter’s Recomposed with Mari Samuelsen. Irish live premieres in jazz include Guy Barker’s Kind of Blue Orchestrated and the Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong Porgy and Bess album. The Callas and Puccini centenaries have been celebrated, as has this centenary year of The Great Gatsby. Upcoming highlights include the annual Sunday Miscellany Christmas concert and a New Year’s Eve celebration of 100 Years of Song and Soul.