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A cello concerto for Christmas

Posted by editor
14th December 2010 at 17:20 - 0 comments

Zoë Westwood, SCO Marketing & Communications Manager, writes:

The snow is melting, the roads have cleared, and the postman’s back! Now, with the office tree sparkling with baubles, we can look forward to our Christmas in Paris concerts in which cellist Jian Wang joins us for a for one of his signature pieces, Saint-Saëns’ Cello Concerto No 1.

One glance at his story and I am intrigued by Jian Wang. Taught by his father in China, discovered aged 10 by American violinist Isaac Stern whilst filming a documentary, sponsored to study in the US by a business man after seeing the documentary, then asked to leave Juilliard for performing too much instead of coming to class - it’s been quite a ride for the cellist!

I’m hoping to meet him while on concert duty in St Andrews tomorrow, but in the meantime, I’ll just listen to him play...

The Perfect Winter Warmer

Posted by editor
9th December 2010 at 15:28 - 0 comments

Zoë Westwood, SCO Marketing & Communications Manager, writes:

Lars Vogt

The last couple of weeks have been exciting, exhausting, and extremely cold. Kudos to my colleagues for digging themselves out of the snow and battling their way to the office or rehearsals despite sleet, hail, ice and jack-knifing lorries.

Luckily, warmer times are ahead. Not only will the weekend weather be relatively scorching (4°C!), but German pianist Lars Vogt reunites with Robin Ticciati, joining the SCO for our Vienna Centuries concerts.

After performing with the Los Angeles Philharmonic in March to a standing ovation (see the LA Times review), Lars Vogt and Robin Ticciati are guaranteed to put on a good show. With the uplifting Mozart Piano Concerto No 21 and Brahms’ passionate Symphony No 4, the programme is sure to warm us to our toes – just what I need!