About the Orchestra

Formed in 1974, the Scottish Chamber Orchestra (SCO) is one of Scotland’s five National Performing Arts Companies and is internationally recognised for its innovative approach to music-making and programme planning. 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 is supported by the Scottish Government and has recently included many European countries as well as a ground-breaking tour of India in February 2009.

The SCO’s long-standing relationship with its former Conductor Laureate, the late Sir Charles Mackerras, resulted in many renowned performances and recordings, including a Grammy Award-nominated set of Brahms’s symphonies, six Mozart operas, Schubert symphonies and Brahms serenades. Their recording of Mozart’s last four symphonies - won the Symphonic Works category of the 2009 MIDEM Awards; BBC Music Magazine Disc of the Year and a Classical BRIT Award. A second disc of Mozart Symphonies, featuring Nos 29, 31 'Paris', 32, 35 'Haffner' and 36 'Linz' was released in March 2010.

The young British conductor Robin Ticciati took up the post of Principal Conductor with the Orchestra from the 2009/10 Season.

Other conductors who appear regularly with the SCO include Principal Guest Conductor Olari Elts, Conductor Emeritus Joseph Swensen, Andrew Manze, Frans Brüggen, John Storgårds, Thierry Fischer, Louis Langrée, Andrew Litton and Nicholas McGegan.

The Orchestra enjoys close links with leading composers including Sir Peter Maxwell Davies, Mark-Anthony Turnage and Sally Beamish. It is also known for its pioneering education work.

The SCO broadcasts regularly and has a discography exceeding 140 recordings.
 

Orchestra