The SCO is proud to announce its upcoming European tour, performing in six cities across Romania, the Czech Republic, Belgium, and Germany between 19 and 28 September. The tour highlights the SCO’s role as one of Scotland’s leading cultural ambassadors, bringing the nation’s rich musical heritage and contemporary creativity to international audiences.

Led by Principal Conductor Maxim Emelyanychev, the Orchestra presents a compelling programme that blends Beethoven’s revolutionary spirit with the distinctive voices of Scottish composers and performers.

Our main tour programme opens with Beethoven’s Creatures of Prometheus, a dramatic overture inspired by the myth of the fire-bringer, a symbol of transformation and enlightenment. At the heart of this concert is Veni, Veni, Emmanuel, a powerful percussion concerto by Sir James MacMillan, one of Scotland’s most internationally celebrated composers. Having been commissioned by the SCO in 1992, this meditative and explosive work draws on ancient plainsong and spiritual themes and features Colin Currie, a fellow Scot and one of the world’s leading percussionists.

The concert concludes with Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5, a universal emblem of triumph over adversity, heard most recently in the Scottish Chamber Orchestra’s acclaimed BBC Proms performance that earned five stars from The Times. Its iconic opening motif and dramatic arc continue to resonate as a symbol of resilience and hope, values shared across Europe.

For our concert at FilharmonieBrno the SCO’s Maxim Emelyanychev will take on a dual role as conductor and pianist in Mozart’s dramatic D minor concerto. This concert also features Sir Peter Maxwell Davies’ evocative An Orkney Wedding, with Sunrise, complete with live bagpipes performed by Robert Jordan, offering audiences a vivid taste of Scottish tradition. The evening concludes with Beethoven’s rhythmic and celebratory Symphony No. 7, which will also form the finale of our concert in Brussels.

For more information and online ticket booking visit our European Tour page. For information on our concert at Filharmonie Brno visit our dedicated page.

Tour Dates and Venues

• 19 September, 4:30pm – Romanian Athenaeum, Bucharest, Romania

• 21 September, 7:00pm – Thalia Hall, Sibiu, Romania

• 23 September, 7:00pm – Filharmonie Brno, Brno, Czech Republic

• 25 September, 8:00pm – Bozar, Brussels, Belgium

• 26 September, 7:30pm – Theater Bonn Opera House, Bonn, Germany

• 28 September, 7:00pm – Philharmonie, Essen, Germany

The SCO is honoured to perform as part of prestigious festivals and concert series across the continent, including appearances at the George Enescu Festival in Romania, the Brno International Music Festival in the Czech Republic and the Bozar Season in Brussels.