From its founding in 1945 by Dolf van der Linden until becoming an independent organisation in 2013, the Metropole Orkest was the musical heart of Dutch public broadcasting. For decades, the orchestra provided the soundtrack to some of the country’s biggest television and radio events, including the Dutch National Song Contest. It also stepped onto the international stage during the four Eurovision Song Contests hosted by the Netherlands.
The stories, performances, and memories from those remarkable years can be found below.
In the 1950s, the orchestra expanded to 45 musicians as its reputation continued to grow, both nationally and internationally. The Metropole Orkest appeared on an increasing number of radio broadcasts and studio recordings in the Netherlands and Belgium. Its real breakthrough, however, came with the rise of television as a mainstream medium. Dolf van der Linden and the Metropole Orkest even arranged the theme music for the evening news.
But it was the European Broadcasting Union’s decision to launch an international song contest, and the orchestra’s subsequent role in accompanying the national selection shows, that truly brought the Metropole Orkest into the spotlight.
1956 — The First Dutch National Song Contest: Dolf van der Linden
The first Dutch National Song Contest took place on 24 April 1956. The Metropole Orkest, conducted by Dolf van der Linden, accompanied all competing entries and also performed an instrumental piece as the interval act. Jetty Paerl won the competition with “De Vogels van Holland”. Both she and runner-up Corry Brokken, with “Voorgoed Voorbij”, went on to represent the Netherlands at the Eurovision Song Contest later that year.
1957 — Corry Brokken Wins the Eurovision Song Contest
In 1957, the Netherlands competed in the Eurovision Song Contest with “Net als toen”, performed by Corry Brokken. She became the first Dutch winner of the international competition. The Dutch entry was conducted by Dolf van der Linden and accompanied by Metropole Orkest violinist Sem Nijveen.
1958 — Eurovision Song Contest: The Metropole Orkest’s First Appearance
In 1958, the Netherlands hosted the Eurovision Song Contest for the first time. The Metropole Orkest accompanied the competing entries, performed the musical interludes, and provided the closing music.
1959 — Teddy Scholten Wins Both Song Contests
One of the most memorable moments came in 1959, when Teddy Scholten won both the Dutch National Song Contest and the Eurovision Song Contest in France with the now-classic song “Een Beetje”.
1962-1963 — Will the Metropole Orkest Perform at National Song Contest?
Throughout the 1960s, the Metropole Orkest continued to accompany the entries during the Dutch National Song Contest, with two notable exceptions: 1962 and 1963.
In 1962, it was uncertain whether the Metropole Orkest would perform at the National Song Contest at all. In February of that year, several newspapers reported that the orchestra would not take part. The musicians of the Metropole Orkest, then part of the Dutch Radio Union (NRU), requested additional compensation because, alongside the television broadcast from Concordia in Bussum, the AVRO also intended to broadcast the programme live on radio. Since the radio and television broadcasts would take place simultaneously, the musicians regarded this as effectively a double performance.
A few days later, however, newspaper reports revealed that after extensive discussions and negotiations, AVRO decided to delay the radio broadcast. As a result, the issue of a double performance was resolved.
The orchestra ultimately accompanied the entire festival, and an instrumental piece titled “Taboo” was composed as the interval act. That year’s winners were Duo de Spelbrekers with the song “Katinka”.
Almost a year later, a new dispute arose over musicians’ fees. This time, the conflict was between the Netherlands Television Foundation (NTS) and the Dutch Musicians’ Union (NTB), to which most orchestra members belonged. From 1 January 1963 onwards, musicians went on strike after being asked to perform for radio and television broadcasts under what they considered inadequate compensation. The musicians wanted television fees to be negotiated separately from radio fees. In protest, contracts were returned unsigned to the union.
On 8 February 1963, the strike came to an end after an agreement was reached that included improved salaries, clearer contractual arrangements, and greater job security. By then, however, it was too late for the broadcasters’ plans. The Metropole Orkest did not perform at either the Dutch National Song Contest or the Eurovision Song Contest that year. Dolf van der Linden remained loyal to the orchestra and therefore did not travel to the international contest as conductor.
In the years that followed, the Metropole Orkest returned to its familiar role at the Dutch National Song Contest.
1970 — The Netherlands Hosts Eurovision for a Second Time
Fifteen years after hosting the contest for the first time, the Eurovision Song Contest returned to the Netherlands in 1970. Dolf van der Linden conducted all of the musical interludes, as well as both the Dutch and Irish entries. The latter was particularly remarkable, as the Irish delegation had arrived without a conductor. Ironically, it was that very song, “All Kinds of Everything”, that went on to win the contest.
1976 — Eurovision Song Contest: Jan Stulen Steps In for Dolf
At the 1976 Eurovision Song Contest, the Metropole Orkest performed under the direction of Jan Stulen. Dolf van der Linden had personally asked him to conduct the final, as he was finding it increasingly difficult to manage his workload. This had become apparent through cancelled concerts and rehearsal sessions in which the same pieces were repeatedly rehearsed. Guest conductors such as Rogier van Otterloo and Jan Stulen were appearing more frequently to support and replace him when needed.
Stulen conducted the opening theme, while the Dutch entry was led by Harry van Hoof. The Metropole Orkest accompanied all competing entries, with each song conducted by the respective country’s conductor.
1980 — Eurovision Song Contest: Rogier van Otterloo
The Metropole Orkest made its final appearance at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1980 under the direction of Rogier van Otterloo. He composed the opening piece, “Ouverture Songfestival 1980”, and conducted the orchestra during the performances of the competing entries, including the Dutch entry “Amsterdam”, performed by Maggie MacNeal.
1981-1988 — Dutch National Song Contest: Rogier van Otterloo
When Rogier van Otterloo succeeded Dolf van der Linden as chief conductor, he also inherited the role of conducting the Metropole Orkest at the Dutch National Song Contest. He fulfilled that role with great success from 1981 until his untimely death in 1988 at the age of 46.
Around that time, the Dutch Senate was preparing to discuss a new plan for the country’s symphony orchestras. The Metropole Orkest was granted permission to search for a new chief conductor: someone with “schwung”, someone who could bring fresh energy to the orchestra.
1996-1998 — Dutch National Song Contest: Dick Bakker
Dick Bakker conducted the Metropole Orkest at the Dutch National Song Contest from 1996 onwards. In 1998, however, the era of the live orchestra came to an end when it was replaced by backing tracks. That same year, Edsilia Rombley won the Dutch National Song Contest with “Hemel en Aarde” and went on to finish fourth at the Eurovision Song Contest.
and contribute to educational projects and the preservation of Dutch heritage.
