The BBC Symphony Orchestra has played a central role at the heart of British musical life since its inception in 1930. It provides the backbone of the BBC Proms with around a dozen concerts each year, including the First and Last Nights, and is Associate Orchestra of the Barbican. The BBC SO has a strong commitment to 20th-century and contemporary music – recent years have seen the world premieres of BBC commissions by leading composers such as Elliott Carter, Brian Elias, Vic Hoyland, Matthias Pintscher, Karlheinz Stockhausen and Judith Weir. As Associate Orchestra of the Barbican, the BBC Symphony Orchestra performs an annual season of concerts there. The BBC SO works regularly with its Chief Conductor Jiří Bělohlávek, Principal Guest Conductor David Robertson, Conductor Laureate Sir Andrew Davis and Artist in Association, Oliver Knussen. Central to the Orchestra’s life are studio recordings for BBC Radio 3 at the Orchestra’s Maida Vale home.