The Norwegian Radio Orchestras history is also the history of Norwegian broadcasting and therefore represents the NRK's own cultural history. During the tenure of its first Principal Conductor, the legendary Øivind Bergh, the Norwegian Radio Orchestra won great popularity in Norway for its programming of entertainment music and light classics. Since that time the orchestra has steadily expanded its repertoire and its international reputation.

Sverre Bruland, Principal Conductor 1976-1988, established the orchestra’s commitment to presenting contemporary Norwegian music; while Avi Ostrowsky, Music Director and Chief Conductor from 1989-1992, successfully steered the orchestra’s programming towards a more international and challenging repertoire. From 1994 to 2002 Ari Rasilainen oversaw a continuing artistic development and an increasing number of public concerts.

The Norwegian Radio Orchestra has enjoyed enormous success over the past years, harvesting critical acclaim, both at home and abroad. Today, this means that the orchestra is much sought after, for the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation's own productions and for external productions/events in Norway, as well as by foreign concert arrangers. The orchestras quality is also to be seen in its recruitment, where it has attracted some of the best of the young Norwegian musicians.

In recent years the Orchestra has gone through a very positive artistic development, showing flexibility in its repertoire, in its way of presentation and its willingness to adapt to change. The orchestra is a broadcasting orchestra in the true sense of the word and can be used for many different types of concerts and events.

The orchestra has collaborated in recent times with international musicians such as Paul McCartney, Barbara Hendricks, Willie Nelson, Natalie Cole, Kiri Te Kanawa, Luciano Pavarotti, Anastasia, Sissel Kyrkjebø, Klovner I Kamp, Warlocks, Popol Ace, Silje Nergaard, and Come Shine.

For many years its classical CD recordings have acquired international critical acclaim; and the orchestra has the privilege of performing every year at the Nobel Peace Prize Concert.

The orchestra handpicks its conductors, focussing on their suitability for the chosen repertoire and nature of the event/arrangement. The Norwegian Radio Orchestra is well known for using Norwegian conductors, soloists, artists and arrangers to a much larger degree than the other orchestras.

Since September 2003, Norwegian conductor Rolf Gupta has held the position of Chief Conductor of the Norwegian Radio Orchestra. With this dynamic young musician at its helm, the orchestra looks forward to developing an increasingly important worldwide presence, maintaining and building on its tradition of musical excellence and diversity.