The Scottish Chamber Orchestra (SCO) is Scotland's national chamber orchestra, based in Edinburgh. It is one of Scotland’s five National Performing Arts Companies, and is internationally recognised for its innovative approach to music-making and programme planning. Formed in 1974 with a commitment to serve the Scottish community, it is also one of Scotland’s foremost cultural ambassadors. The Orchestra performs throughout Scotland, including annual tours of the Scottish Highlands and Islands and South of Scotland, and appears regularly at the Edinburgh, East Neuk, St Magnus and Aldeburgh Festivals and the BBC Proms. Its busy international touring schedule has recently included Poland, Hungary, Turkey, India, Germany, Austria, Spain, Belgium, The Netherlands, Switzerland and the USA. The Orchestra’s international touring receives support from the Scottish Government. The Orchestra rehearses mainly at Edinburgh's Queens Hall. Every year the orchestra provides music for the firework display during the final concert of the Edinburgh International Festival.
Roderick Brydon was the SCO's first principal conductor, from 1974 to 1983. Other principal conductors have included Jukka-Pekka Saraste (1987-1991) and Ivor Bolton (1994-1996). The American violinist and conductor Joseph Swensen served as principal conductor from 1996 to 2005, and is now the SCO's Conductor Emeritus. Sir Charles Mackerras holds the position of Conductor Laureate. The Estonian conductor Olari Elts became the SCO's principal guest conductor in October 2007. In October 2008, the SCO announced the appointment of Robin Ticciati as the orchestra's next principal conductor, effective as of the 2009-2010 season. His initial contract is for 3 years, where he is scheduled to conduct 5 weeks of concerts in the 2009-2010 season and 8 weeks of concerts in subsequent seasons.
The SCO's work in contemporary music has included collaborations with Gordon Crosse, John McLeod and with Peter Maxwell Davies, notably the series of Strathclyde Concertos. Einojuhani Rautavaara's Autumn Gardens received its world premiere with the SCO in 1999. The SCO premiered Sally Beamish's Concerto for Orchestra (Sangsters) in November 2002.
The SCO has recorded for a number of labels, including Deutsche Grammophon and Hyperion. It has a recording partnership with Glasgow-based record company, Linn Records, with whom it has recorded 12 albums. The Orchestra’s recording with Sir Charles Mackerras of Mozart’s last four symphonies was released to international acclaim on Linn Records in February 2008. The disc won the Symphonic Works Award at the Midem Classical Awards in January 2009, and in April 2009 was voted Disc of the Year by the critics at BBC Music Magazine, as well as winning the Orchestral category of the BBC Music Awards 2009, voted for by the public. In May, it won the Critics’ Choice Award at the 2009 Classical BRIT Awards. Sir Charles and the SCO have most recently released a CD of Beethoven’s last three piano concertos with soloist Artur Pizarro, and recorded a second volume of Mozart Symphonies due for release in spring 2010.
The Orchestra enjoys close relationships with many leading composers and has commissioned more than a hundred new works, including pieces by Composer Laureate Sir Peter Maxwell Davies, Mark-Anthony Turnage, Judith Weir, Sally Beamish, Karin Rehnqvist, Lyell Cresswell, James MacMillan, Hafliði Hallgrímsson, Einojuhani Rautavaara, Stuart MacRae and the late Edward Harper.
The Orchestra plays a prominent role in the Edinburgh International Festival. In September 2009, it was awarded its second Bank of Scotland Archangel by The Herald in recognition of its sustained high quality contribution to the Festival. The Archangel is the highest honour presented within the Awards, and the Orchestra is the first winner to have been awarded an Archangel twice.
The SCO has led the way in music education with a unique programme of projects. SCO Education provides workshops for children and adults across Scotland and has attracted interest and invitations from overseas.
The Orchestra broadcasts regularly and has a discography now exceeding 150 recordings available by calling 0845 270 1812 or online at shop.sco.org.uk.
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