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Beethoven 200

23 Apr 2026

News Story

Over the course of our 2026/27 Season, the SCO joins the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Royal Scottish National Orchestra and Scottish Opera in a historic, Scotland‑wide Beethoven 200 celebration, marking the 200th anniversary of the composer’s death in 2027. All nine of his symphonies are to be performed, as well as a number of his concertos and choral works.

The SCO’s Beethoven contributions across the Season include performances of Symphony Nos. 1–4, conducted or directed by Principal Guest Conductor Andrew Manze and violinists Rachel Podger and Lorenza Borrani.

The SCO’s celebration of Beethoven also features the composer’s Piano Concertos Nos. 4 and 5 and Violin Concerto, directed by soloists Sunwood Kim and Pekka Kuusisto respectively, and the monumental Missa Solemnis with Andrew Manze, the SCO Chorus and a host of world‑class soloists including Carolyn Sampson and Roderick Williams.

Alongside Beethoven’s own music, the SCO’s Season presents contemporary responses that place his musical legacy in dialogue with today’s composers, including Brett Dean’sTestament, Max Richter’sOpus 2020 and a forward‑looking Beethoven Deconstructed programme that shows the composer not as a monument, but as a continuing creative inspiration.

Look out for the Beethoven 200 logo throughout the 2026/27 Season and join us in celebrating the enduring influence of one of music’s greatest visionaries.