Gordon Bragg
Sub-Principal Second Violin
Gordon Bragg has an extremely diverse musical life as a violinist, conductor and pianist, performing regularly throughout Scotland and the UK. Gordon is Sub-principal Second Violin of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, performing across the UK and touring worldwide. Highlights with the orchestra include touring with Maria João Pires, performances with Emmanuel Krivine, and working with current Principal Conductor, Maxim Emelyanychev.
Gordon also a passionate chamber musician, working with groups such as Hebrides Ensemble and Mr McFall's Chamber, and was a member of the Edinburgh Quartet, one of Britain’s foremost chamber ensembles, from 2012-2017. Whilst a member of the quartet Gordon performed throughout the UK, regularly broadcasting live on BBC Radio and playing on recordings such as the “outstanding” (International Record Review) recording of James MacMillan’s string quartets on the Delphian label. In recent years Gordon has developed a relationship with Drake Music Scotland, in particular a duo with composer and musician Chris Jacquin.
Gordon is also in demand as a conductor. Following studies in Manchester and Zürich, Gordon has conducted the Orchestre Philharmonique du Luxembourg, Bayerische Kammerphilharmonie and Royal Scottish National Orchestra, and led a critically-acclaimed performance of Schoenberg’s Pierrot Lunaire with Scottish Ballet at the Edinburgh International Festival. With SCO Gordon has conducted at the St Magnus Festival as well as conducting various works for the SCO's digital seasons.
Gordon's first formal musical education was at the Junior Department of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland where he won the Conservatoire prizes for violin and piano. He graduated in violin performance from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama with first class honours and participated in masterclasses with members of the Amadeus and Takacs quartets, as well as taking part in an Erasmus exchange to the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki. He was invited to participate in the International Musicians’ Seminar, Prussia Cove, where he performed in the class of Gerhard Schulz. Gordon was Concertmaster of the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland and member of the European Union Youth Orchestra, as well as playing with the Gustav Mahler Jugendorchester under Claudio Abbado.