North Sea Radio Orchestra in London

The North Sea Radio Orchestra (NSRO) is an English contemporary music ensemble and cross-disciplinary chamber orchestra plus chorus, formed in 2002 as a vehicle for the compositions of musical director Craig Fortnam. The ensemble draws on a pool of up to twenty members, performing works that range from solo pieces to full chamber-orchestra-and-choir arrangements, with instrumentation including woodwind, strings, percussion, guitar, chamber organ, and piano.

The NSRO is notable for its postmodern fusion of Romantic music, twentieth-century forms, British folk music, London art rock, and poetry. Their compositions blend tonal classical elements, English choral and festival music, folk traditions, and minimalism, with some improvisation. Influences cited include Benjamin Britten, Vaughan Williams, and The Incredible String Band, while critics have drawn comparisons to the Penguin Café Orchestra and Sufjan Stevens.

Since 2010, the ensemble has incorporated stronger Krautrock influences and shifted to setting original lyrics by Craig and Sharron Fortnam. The NSRO is regarded as part of the musical network surrounding the band Cardiacs, including former and current Cardiacs members in its lineup. Their concerts offer a seated, attentive atmosphere, a deliberate contrast to the distractions of typical rock shows.