Symphonies of the North: world premiere of new symphony by Erkki-Sven Tüür

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Also the SCO Chorus joins the Orchestra for rarely performed Schumann Mass
Intimate Chamber Concert of late Romantic music and
Renowned pianist Maria João Pires makes a rare Scottish appearance

The Scottish Chamber Orchestra pairs Sibelius’ Symphony No 3 with the world premiere performance of Erkki-Sven Tüür’s Symphony No 8, a work commissioned by the SCO and conducted by Tüür’s fellow-Estonian Olari Elts in Glasgow (City Halls, 30 April) and Edinburgh (Queen’s Hall, 1 May). The Orchestra last performed a work by Tüür – Oxymoron – in November 2007 to considerable critical acclaim and audience approval. The concert opens with Concerto Romanesc, a rip-roaring work by György Ligeti which vividly evokes the world of Romanian folk music. Ticket holders will have the opportunity to hear Tüür discuss his new symphony, its themes and influences at a free pre-concert talk.

The SCO Chorus will be joining the Orchestra for a rare performance of Schumann’s Mass, as part of Schumann 200 – a short series celebrating the 200th anniversary of the composer’s birth. John Storgårds, an SCO regular, will be conducting the performance with soloists Rachel Nicholls, Benjamin Hulett, and Stephan Loges. The concert will open with two pieces from Brahms, Serenade No 2 and Serious Songs and will take place in Edinburgh (Queen’s Hall, 6 May) and Glasgow (City Halls, 7 May).

The last Chamber Concert of the Season will feature late Romantic music on Sunday 9 May in Edinburgh. The SCO String Ensemble will perform Wolf’s Italian Serenade, Schoenberg’s Verklärte Nacht, and Brahms’ Sextet in G, contrasting pieces that nevertheless share emotional and dramatic themes.

The SCO’s Season closes with a treat. Renowned Portuguese pianist, Maria João Pires, makes a rare Scottish appearance with Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No 4. An expressive and eloquent musician, she has performed with orchestras throughout the world and is celebrated for her poetic tone and the depth of her interpretations. Trevor Pinnock makes a welcome return to the SCO to conduct the programme, which includes Mendelssohn’s The Fair Melusine and Mozart’s Symphony No 39 in Edinburgh (Usher Hall, 13 May), Glasgow (City Halls, 14 May) and Aberdeen (Music Hall, 15 May).

SYMPHONIES OF THE NORTH
LIGETI Concerto Romanesc (12’)
TÜÜR Symphony No 8 (30’), world premiere
SIBELIUS Symphony No 3 (29’)

Olari Elts conductor

Friday 30 April, 7.30pm GLASGOW City Halls
Saturday 1 May, 7.30pm EDINBURGH Queen’s Hall

Pre-concert talk: 6.30pm Erkki-Sven Tüür talks about his new symphony

SCHUMANN 200 – SCHUMANN MASS
BRAHMS Serenade No 2 (29’)
BRAHMS Serious Songs (20’)
SCHUMANN Mass in C minor Op 147 (42’)

John Storgårds conductor
Rachel Nicholls soprano
Benjamin Hulett tenor
Stephan Loges bass baritone
SCO Chorus

Thursday 6 May, 7.30pm EDINBURGH Queen’s Hall
Friday 7 May, 7.30pm GLASGOW City Halls

CHAMBER CONCERT
WOLF Italian Serenade
SCHOENBERG Verklärte Nacht
BRAHMS Sextet in G

SCO String Ensemble

Sunday 9 May, 2.30pm EDINBURGH Queen’s Hall

PIRES PLAYS BEETHOVEN
MENDELSSOHN The Fair Melusine (10’)
BEETHOVEN Piano Concerto No 4 (34’)
MOZART Symphony No 39 (29’)

Trevor Pinnock conductor
Maria João Pires piano

Thursday 13 May, 7.30pm EDINBURGH Usher Hall
Friday 14 May, 7.30pm GLASGOW City Halls
Saturday 15 May, 7.30pm ABERDEEN Music Hall

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