About the Orchestra

The Scottish Chamber Orchestra is one of Scotland’s five National Performing Arts Companies, and is internationally recognised as one of the finest chamber orchestras in the world. 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 touring schedule has recently included many European countries as well as India and the USA. The Orchestra’s international touring receives support from the Scottish Government.

The Orchestra appointed Robin Ticciati to the post of Principal Conductor from the 2009/10 Season. Since then, Ticciati and the Orchestra have appeared together at the Edinburgh International Festival, have toured to Italy, Germany and Spain and undertook a further major pan-European tour in November 2012. They released their first recording – Berlioz’s Symphonie Fantastique (Linn CKD400) – in April 2012 with a second all-Berlioz disc due for release in April 2013. They have received considerable acclaim for their programming and performances together:

“The Scottish Chamber Orchestra and its Principal Conductor, Robin Ticciati, have already become one of the great partnerships in British music.” (Daily Telegraph)

Conductor/keyboardist Richard Egarr and director/violinist Alexander Janiczek were appointed Associate Artists with the SCO in 2011. Both perform regularly with the Orchestra during its concert season, in the recording studio, on tour and in festival appearances.

The SCO’s long-standing relationship with its Conductor Laureate, the late Sir Charles Mackerras, resulted in many exceptional performances and recordings, including two multi award-winning discs of Mozart symphonies (Linn Records).

The SCO has strong relationships with many eminent guest conductors including Conductor Emeritus Joseph Swensen, Olari Elts, Andrew Manze, John Storgårds, Thierry Fischer, Louis Langrée, Oliver Knussen and Nicholas McGegan; regular soloist/directors include Christian Zacharias and Piotr Anderszewski.

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, Hafliði Hallgrímsson, Einojuhani Rautavaara, Stuart MacRae and the late Edward Harper.

The SCO has led the way in music education with a unique programme of projects. SCO Connect 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. CDs are available by calling 0131 557 6802 or online at shop.sco.org.uk.

The Scottish Chamber Orchestra receives funding from the Scottish Government.

Orchestra