The soundtrack to your Valentine's Weekend
10 Feb 2021
News Story
"If music be the food of love, play on"
Taking our inspiration from Shakespeare, we've been busy this week perfecting a romantic playlist for you ahead of Valentine's weekend. With expert help from our musicians, it's been a labour of love to look back into our recording catalogue and find the perfect soundtrack for your Valentine's Day. What's more, we're not only feeling the love, we're sharing it, as we're delighted to offer you 14% off the recordings featured in this article from now until 12pm on Monday 15 February. To take advantage of this heartfelt offer, simply enter the promocode SCOVALENTINE in the box at the checkout.* Now read on to find what we've chosen and why... ❤️
(*Please note, offer is subject to stock availability and the discount does not apply to postage and packing).
Mozart Divertimenti
by Alison Green, Sub-Principal Bassoon
"It is full of relatively unknown gems by Mozart. We recorded this in a few days in the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland with producer Phil Hobbs. It was an absolute joy to go in every day and play this lovely music with my wonderful colleagues. I love the graceful Andante from the Divertimento No.9 in Bb".
Villanelle - Les nuit d'été with Karen Cargill
By Brian Schiele, Viola
"I grew up with a deep love of the recording of Régine Crespin, but our recording with Karen (Cargill) is wonderful. The song is actually very romantic. It's fresh, simple and redolent of early summer!".
Brahms Symphony No 3, 3rd movement
By Steve King, Viola
"This is the ultimate Brahms' ‘Romantic’ movement, mixing dark longing with brighter moments of hope. Our times working with the great Sir Charles Mackerras will remain among the finest moments in my career as an orchestral player".
Schubert Symphony No 9 with Maxim Emelyanychev
By Su-a Lee, Sub-Principal Cello
"Maxim is extraordinary and Schubert 9th Symphony is very special to us as it served as our introduction to each other. Maxim had stepped in to conduct it at the last moment due to a last minute cancellation, and our affinity was as astonishing as it was instant. It is an emotional and vast piece, and Maxim brought a remarkable sense of exploration, lightness, depth and wonder to it. I was so delighted that this was also the first piece that we recorded with him. When I listen to this now, I instantly break into a wide smile. It brings me straight back to the joy and camaraderie of the orchestra with Maxim during those magical few days together in Dundee’s magnificent Caird Hall."
Wagner Siegfried Idyll
By SCO Staff
"It’s hard to imagine a more romantic start to the day than being gently awoken by the lilting melodies of a work dedicated to you by your adoring husband, performed by musicians who had rehearsed in secret, in your Swiss villa overlooking Lake Lucerne. This is how Wagner premiered Siegfried Idyll to his wife Cosima on her birthday in 1870. While most of us will be lucky to be woken up with a cup of tea, we can all enjoy the pastoral romance of this symphonic poem, full of horn calls, bird song and a sense of pure, idyllic love".
An Orkney Wedding, with sunrise
By SCO Staff
"What better than an extravagant wedding reception to celebrate love! An Orkney Wedding, With Sunrise by Sir Peter Maxwell Davies brilliantly portrays the beauty of the rising sun after a memorable night of festivities, featuring bagpipes to close in a blaze of light. An exhilarating piece that brings joy to all ears!".
