Nicola Benedetti to star in SCO celebration

By BRIAN FERGUSON
Published on 15/03/2013 00:47

Sir Peter Maxwell Davies, James MacMillan and Nicola Benedetti are among the leading figures from the musical world to figure in the Scottish Chamber Orchestra 40th anniversary celebrations next year.

First-time visits to China and Salzburg, a major South African-themed celebration for Glasgow’s Commonwealth Games and the commissioning of a new work to mark the 500th anniversary of the Battle of Flodden all feature in the SCO’s birthday programme.

It will see the SCO expand into the Assembly Rooms in Edinburgh for the first time, a special 40th anniversary gala staged at the Usher Hall in the capital, with guest soloist Maria Joao Jones, and the commissioning of a brand new piece of work from Sir Peter Maxwell Davies, the Queen’s master of music, as well as the composer laureate of the SCO.

Percussionist Colin Currie will lead a revisit of James MacMillan’s concerto “Veni, Veni Emmanuel”, which was first performed, by the SCO 21, years ago, while Nicola Benedetti will appear with the orchestra at the Usher Hall next April, performing Beethoven and Mozart.

The orchesta’s principal conductor, Robin Ticciati, has confirmed he will be extending his contract with the SCO until 2018 - despite recently being appointed music director of Glynebourne Festival Orchestra.

Roy McEwan, chief executive of the SCO, said: “We’re delighted to be celebrating our 40th anniversary by bringing together superb repertoire, a wonderful roster of guest artists and conductors, and of course our own brilliant players shining in both solo performances and ensemble playing.”