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Simon Thompson

Simon Thompson

Simon lives and works in Edinburgh, and teaches History and Modern Studies at a local high school when he is not writing about music. Born an Irishman, he is an enthusiastic adopted Scot, and has lived in the capital for fifteen years since university days, making the most of its many avenues for classical music. He spends his spare time enthusing about music, theatre, art and literature to anyone who will listen, including his long-suffering students, who have no choice.

Author:Simon Thompson

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Ludovic Tézier (Scarpia) and Eleonora Buratto (Tosca) © Giorgio Andreuccetti

Tosca goes over the top at Torre del Lago

By Simon Thompson, 18 July 2026

Oversized acting meets top-drawer singing at the Puccini Festival at Torre del Lago.

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Ludovic Tézier (Scarpia) and Eleonora Buratto (Tosca) © Giorgio Andreuccetti

Tosca goes over the top at Torre del Lago

By Simon Thompson

Turandot, Act 2 © Giorgio Andreuccetti

Riddles on the lake: Puccini Festival at Torre de Lago opens with a centennial Turandot

By Simon Thompson, 17 July 2026

There's a taste of magic in the air for the Puccini Festival’s opening production, a centennial Turandot.

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Turandot, Act 2 © Giorgio Andreuccetti

Puccini Festival at Torre de Lago opens with a centennial Turandot

By Simon Thompson

Opus13 © Neil Hanna

East Neuk Festival: Three concerts, three quartets, three Razumovskys

By Simon Thompson, 04 July 2026

Intense but unmissable: the East Neuk Festival comes of age with a marathon Saturday of Beethoven’s Razumovsky Quartets.

*****

Opus13 © Neil Hanna

East Neuk Festival: Three concerts, three quartets, three Razumovskys

By Simon Thompson

Patrick Hahn rehearses the Royal Scottish National Orchestra © RSNO | Clara Cowen

Joy unbounded: Beethoven 9 ends the RSNO’s season with blockbuster flair

By Simon Thompson, 12 June 2026

The wider RSNO family give their all in a blockbuster Beethoven Ninth Symphony to end their season.

*****

Patrick Hahn rehearses the Royal Scottish National Orchestra © RSNO | Clara Cowen

Beethoven 9 ends the RSNO’s season with blockbuster flair

By Simon Thompson

Nicola Benedetti and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra © Sally Jubb

Elgarian emotion and Eastern exoticism from Benedetti, Karabits and the RSNO

By Simon Thompson, 15 May 2026

Nicola Benedetti’s Elgar is a slow burn in Edinburgh’s Usher Hall, but Kirill Karabits’ Firebird instantly ignites.

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Nicola Benedetti and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra © Sally Jubb

Elgarian emotion from the Benedetti, Karabits and the RSNO

By Simon Thompson

John Wilson rehearses with the RSNO © SNO | Clara Cowen

Piano wizardry: Stephen Hough makes a convincing case for Rach 1 with the RSNO

By Simon Thompson, 24 April 2026

On a return visit to the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, John Wilson shapes A London Symphony with melancholy sweep.

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John Wilson rehearses with the RSNO © SNO | Clara Cowen

Stephen Hough makes a convincing case for Rachmaninov 1 with the RSNO

By Simon Thompson

Kristiina Poska rehearses the Royal Scottish National Orchestra © RSNO | Clara Cowen

Kristiina Poska makes an exciting return to conduct the RSNO

By Simon Thompson, 20 March 2026

Kristiina Poska directs the RSNO in gripping Tchaikovsky and Pärt, but words and music only occasionally match in Elena Langer's new song cycle.

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Kristiina Poska rehearses the Royal Scottish National Orchestra © RSNO | Clara Cowen

Kristiina Poska makes an exciting return to conduct the RSNO

By Simon Thompson

Felix Klieser © Sally Jubb

Lyrical insights from Felix Klieser playing Strauss with the RSNO, before Bruckner exodus

By Simon Thompson, 21 February 2026

Felix Klieser is quietly remarkable as he plays Strauss' First Horn Concerto with the RSNO, but why did so many people walk out during Bruckner's Eighth Symphony?

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Felix Klieser © Sally Jubb

Felix Klieser plays Strauss with the RSNO, before Bruckner exodus

By Simon Thompson

Gemma New © Roy Cox

Sweeping Rachmaninov and scorching Barber from the BBC Scottish in Edinburgh

By Simon Thompson, 08 February 2026

Despite the presence of Rachmaninov's Second Piano Concerto on the bill, it is a gripping performance of Samuel Barber's First Symphony that steals this Usher Hall Sunday matinee.

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Gemma New © Roy Cox

Sweeping Rachmaninov and scorching Barber from the BBC Scottish

By Simon Thompson

Paul Agnew conducts Les Arts Florissants © Vincent Pontet (2024)

Les Arts Florissants play an abbreviated Christmas Oratorio in Paris

By Simon Thompson, 13 December 2025

Vigour and vibrato: Les Arts Florissant bring gallic refinement to Bach’s Christmas Oratorio at the Philharmonie de Paris.

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Paul Agnew conducts Les Arts Florissants © Vincent Pontet (2024)

Les Arts Florissants play an abbreviated Christmas Oratorio in Paris

By Simon Thompson

Nemanja Radulović and Giedrė Šlekytė in rehearsal with the RSNO © RSNO | Clara Cowen

Giedrė Šlekytė conducts the RSNO in passionate, exciting Mahler

By Simon Thompson, 05 December 2025

Giedrė Šlekytė makes a stellar conducting debut with the RSNO, while violinist Nemanja Radulović has a great look but a disappointingly ordinary sound.

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Nemanja Radulović and Giedrė Šlekytė in rehearsal with the RSNO © RSNO | Clara Cowen

Giedrė Šlekytė conducts the RSNO in passionate, exciting Mahler

By Simon Thompson

Avery Amereau and Ensemble Jupiter © Centro Nacional de Difusión Musical (CNDM) | Rafa Martín, courtesy of Ensemble Jupiter

Ensemble Jupiter end their European tour of Handel’s Theodora in Brussels

By Simon Thompson, 15 October 2025

Projection proves a problem for the singers, but this Theodora at BOZAR is nevertheless full of musical and spiritual beauty.

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Avery Amereau and Ensemble Jupiter © Centro Nacional de Difusión Musical (CNDM) | Rafa Martín, courtesy of Ensemble Jupiter

Ensemble Jupiter end European tour of Handel’s Theodora in Brussels

By Simon Thompson

Albert Dohmen (Gurnemanz), Christopher Sokolowski (Parsifal) and Dshamilja Kaiser (Kundry) © OBV | Annemie Augustijns

Digital drama, celestial singing: Opera Ballet Vlaanderen’s Parsifal in Antwerp

By Simon Thompson, 14 October 2025

Digital projections make Opera Ballet Vlaanderen’s Parsifal seem alienating and strange, but the singing is terrific and the orchestra sounds sensational.

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Albert Dohmen (Gurnemanz), Christopher Sokolowski (Parsifal) and Dshamilja Kaiser (Kundry) © OBV | Annemie Augustijns

Opera Ballet Vlaanderen’s Parsifal: digital drama, celestial singing

By Simon Thompson

Philippe Herreweghe conducts the Antwerp Symphony Orchestra © Vincent Callot

Antwerp Symphony opens Bruges season with magical Weber and exciting Schumann

By Simon Thompson, 11 October 2025

Philippe Herreweghe conducts Marie-Elisabeth Hecker in Schumann’s Cello Concerto in this fine programme in the Concertgebouw Brugge.

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Philippe Herreweghe conducts the Antwerp Symphony Orchestra © Vincent Callot

Antwerp Symphony opens season with magical Weber and exciting Schumann

By Simon Thompson

Maxim Emelyanychev © Andrej Grilc

A tale of two Glorias: Poulenc and Vivaldi with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra

By Simon Thompson, 09 October 2025

Three sopranos, two Glorias and one French composer who isn’t great box office: the Scottish Chamber Orchestra and Chorus sound great, but where is the audience?

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Maxim Emelyanychev © Andrej Grilc

A tale of two Glorias: Poulenc and Vivaldi with the SCO in Edinburgh

By Simon Thompson

Francesco Piemontesi, Thomas Søndergård and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra © Joe Budi O’Brien

Mahler magic: RSNO opens season with the Seventh Symphony

By Simon Thompson, 03 October 2025

The Royal Scottish National Orchestra and Thomas Søndergård open their season, continuing their Mahler cycle, with the Seventh Symphony.

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Francesco Piemontesi, Thomas Søndergård and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra © Joe Budi O’Brien

Mahler magic: RSNO opens season with the Seventh Symphony

By Simon Thompson

Steven Osborne and the Philharmonia Orchestra © Stuart Armitt

Heft and delicacy: the Philharmonia Orchestra makes its Lammermuir Festival debut

By Simon Thompson, 10 September 2025

Bringing the Philharmonia is the most ambitious thing the Lammermuir Festival has ever done, yet it felt like a natural next step for a festival that's growing in stature.

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Steven Osborne and the Philharmonia Orchestra © Stuart Armitt

Heft and delicacy: Philharmonia makes Lammermuir Festival debut

By Simon Thompson

Members of I Fagiolini © Sally Anderson

I Fagiolini make their Lammermuir Festival debut with Monteverdi's 1610 Vespers

By Simon Thompson, 07 September 2025

In their Lammermuir Festival debut, I Fagiolini strike spiritual and musical gold with the Monteverdi Vespers... at least in the first half.

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Members of I Fagiolini © Sally Anderson

I Fagiolini make their Lammermuir Festival debut

By Simon Thompson

Christopher Maltman © Andrew Perry

A dramatic, declamatory Elijah closes the Edinburgh International Festival

By Simon Thompson, 24 August 2025

The festival’s closing concert brings drama from the RSNO and conductor Thomas Søndergård, but Christopher Maltman's Elijah brings the presence of greatness.

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Christopher Maltman © Andrew Perry

A dramatic, declamatory Elijah closes the 2025 Edinburgh Festival

By Simon Thompson

Karina Canellakis and the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra © Jess Shurte

Canellakis brings sparkle and shine to Stravinsky and Bernstein in Edinburgh

By Simon Thompson, 21 August 2025

Karina Canellakis brings a riot of Technicolor to the Edinburgh International Festival, but countertenor Hugh Cutting threatens to steal the show in Chichester Psalms.

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Karina Canellakis and the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra © Jess Shurte

Canellakis brings sparkle and shine to Stravinsky and Bernstein

By Simon Thompson

Aurora Orchestra © Jess Shurte

Aurora Orchestra dazzle in Edinburgh International Festival debut

By Simon Thompson, 18 August 2025

Aurora Orchestra turn Shostakovich's Fifth Symphony inside out to exhilarating effect in a dazzling performance in their Scottish debut. Abel Selaocoe’s Four Spirits, on the other hand, has surface shine but not much substance.

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Aurora Orchestra © Jess Shurte

Aurora dazzle in Edinburgh International Festival debut

By Simon Thompson

Sir Antonio Pappano conducts the London Symphony Orchestra © Andrew Perry

LSO launches Edinburgh residency with larger-than-life Beethoven and Shostakovich

By Simon Thompson, 12 August 2025

Sir Antonio Pappano's skills as a communicator are clear, whether he's speaking or conducting, but it's the depth of the LSO's sound that impresses most as it launches its EIF residency.

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Sir Antonio Pappano conducts the London Symphony Orchestra © Andrew Perry

LSO launches Edinburgh International Festival residency

By Simon Thompson

Beatrice Rana © Jess Shurte

Edward Gardner brings the London Philharmonic to the Edinburgh International Festival

By Simon Thompson, 05 August 2025

The Planets gets the star treatment from Gardner and the LPO, while Beatrice Rana brings disarming delicacy to Rachmaninov.

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Beatrice Rana © Jess Shurte

Edward Gardner brings the London Philharmonic to the EIF

By Simon Thompson

Sally Beamish and the Belcea, Castalian, Elias and Pavel Haas quartets © Neil Hanna

A constellation of quartets and an ambitious end to the East Neuk Festival

By Simon Thompson, 29 June 2025

Sixteen of the finest string players around join forces on one stage to end the East Neuk Festival in a grand finale.

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Sally Beamish and the Belcea, Castalian, Elias and Pavel Haas quartets © Neil Hanna

A constellation of quartets end the East Neuk Festival

By Simon Thompson

Joseph Middleton and Mark Padmore © Neil Hanna

A soul-shaking Winterreise from Mark Padmore and Joseph Middleton

By Simon Thompson, 27 June 2025

This year's East Neuk Festival features all three of Schubert's song cycles, but this Winterreise was the one that gripped the heart.

*****

Joseph Middleton and Mark Padmore © Neil Hanna

A soul-shaking Winterreise from Mark Padmore and Joseph Middleton

By Simon Thompson

Randall Goosby and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra © Martin Shields Photography

Melting Mendelssohn from Randall Goosby and the RSNO in Edinburgh

By Simon Thompson, 30 May 2025

Sunny delight for Debussy and Mendelssohn; squally showers for Auerbach's Chimera: a summer programme from the RSNO that's as changeable as the weather.

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Randall Goosby and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra © Martin Shields Photography

Melting Mendelssohn from Randall Goosby and the RSNO in Edinburgh

By Simon Thompson

Patrick Hahn rehearses the RSNO © Clara Cowen

Three meditations on death and mourning with the RSNO in Edinburgh

By Simon Thompson, 25 April 2025

Mozart's Requiem packs in the crowd, but it's Berg's Violin Concerto with Carolin Widmann that really finds the spiritual depth.

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Patrick Hahn rehearses the RSNO © Clara Cowen

Three meditations on death and mourning with the RSNO in Edinburgh

By Simon Thompson

Daniel Cho, James Conlon and the Philharmonisches Staatsorchester Hamburg © Claudia Höhne

Virtuoso playing in an unforgettable venue: 5-star musicianship in Hamburg’s Elbphilharmonie

By Simon Thompson, 06 April 2025

Our writer is dazzled by the venue, but the music that the Hamburgers play in it proves pretty dazzling too; Martinů’s Double Concerto is a showcase for both the players and the hall.

*****

Daniel Cho, James Conlon and the Philharmonisches Staatsorchester Hamburg © Claudia Höhne

5-star musicianship in Hamburg’s Elbphilharmonie

By Simon Thompson

Isabelle van Keulen © Maike Helbig

Super Schubert saves the day: Scottish Chamber Orchestra with Isabelle van Keulen

By Simon Thompson, 27 March 2025

Schubert's Third Symphony is treated like a masterpiece by the Scottish Chamber Orchestra under director Isabelle van Keulen.

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Isabelle van Keulen © Maike Helbig

Super Schubert saves the day: SCO with Isabelle van Keulen

By Simon Thompson

Senja Rummukainen, Emilia Hoving and the RSNO © Clara Cowen

Anna Clyne's magnificent cello concerto crowns the RSNO's programme of music for the dance

By Simon Thompson, 21 March 2025

Emilia Hoving makes a superb debut with the RSNO, including Dance, an exciting new cello concerto.

*****

Senja Rummukainen, Emilia Hoving and the RSNO © Clara Cowen

Anna Clyne's magnificent cello concerto crowns the RSNO programme

By Simon Thompson

Thomas Søndergård conducts the Royal Scottish National Orchestra © Sally Jubb

Thomas Søndergård and the RSNO: Mahler 9 teetering on the edge of the abyss

By Simon Thompson, 21 February 2025

The RSNO's Mahler explorations continue with a Ninth Symphony that's haunted and shaken, but always full of life.

****1

Thomas Søndergård conducts the Royal Scottish National Orchestra © Sally Jubb

A Mahler 9 teetering on the edge of the abyss

By Simon Thompson

David Niemann and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra in rehearsal © Clara Cowen

David Niemann conducts a searing Pathétique at the RSNO's Valentine's concert

By Simon Thompson, 14 February 2025

A great RSNO season debut from conductor David Niemann, with impressive Wagner and a searing Pathétique Symphony.

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David Niemann and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra in rehearsal © Clara Cowen

David Niemann conducts a searing Pathétique with the RSNO

By Simon Thompson

National Youth Orchestra of Germany © Greg Macvean

A winner from start to finish: National Youth Orchestra of Germany end UK tour

By Simon Thompson, 19 January 2025

The National Youth Orchestra of Germany end their UK tour in Edinburgh with playing of Technicolor brilliance and fearless confidence.

National Youth Orchestra of Germany © Greg Macvean

A winner from start to finish: National Youth Orchestra of Germany

By Simon Thompson

Alyen Pritchin and Maxim Emelyanychev © Christopher Bowen (2023)

Pritchin and Emelyanychev bring warmth and period transparency to Prokofiev and Brahms

By Simon Thompson, 05 December 2024

Aylen Pritchin is the star actor in the drama of Prokofiev's Second Violin Concerto in Edinburgh's Usher Hall.

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Alyen Pritchin and Maxim Emelyanychev © Christopher Bowen (2023)

SCO brings warmth and period transparency to Prokofiev and Brahms

By Simon Thompson

Andrew Manze © Christopher Bowen

Three centuries of music from Andrew Manze and the Scottish Chamber Orchestra

By Simon Thompson, 14 November 2024

A typically omnivorous programme from Manze and the SCO in which principal flautist André Cebrián dazzles in a Mozart concerto. But it was all nearly upstaged by a solo lament for the Valencia floods.

****1

Andrew Manze © Christopher Bowen

Three centuries of music from Andrew Manze and the SCO

By Simon Thompson

Lawrence Power © Britten Sinfonia

Northern Lights: Nordic Music Days festival visits Scotland for the first time

By Simon Thompson, 31 October 2024

Andrew Manze and the Scottish Chamber Orchestra provide Northern Light from two Swedish composers, but sinister darkness from two Scots.

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Lawrence Power © Britten Sinfonia

Northern Lights: Nordic Music Days festival visits Scotland

By Simon Thompson

Maxim Emelyanychev conducts the Scottish Chamber orchestra © Andy Catlin (2022)

Music of the 20th and 18th centuries in dialogue: Maxim Emelyanychev and the SCO

By Simon Thompson, 10 October 2024

Chilly neoclassical elegance and fizzing Baroque excitement from the Scottish Chamber Orchestra in Edinburgh.

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Maxim Emelyanychev conducts the Scottish Chamber orchestra © Andy Catlin (2022)

Music of the 20th and 18th centuries in dialogue

By Simon Thompson

Thomas Søndergård © Sally Jubb

The RSNO's season begins with Mahler's Resurrection Symphony

By Simon Thompson, 04 October 2024

Thomas Søndergård's Mahler cycle with the RSNO continues with patchy singing but brilliant orchestral playing.

****1

Thomas Søndergård © Sally Jubb

The RSNO's season begins with Mahler's Resurrection Symphony

By Simon Thompson

Steven Isserlis and Maxim Emelyanychev © Christopher Bowen

Dvořák’s music takes centre stage in the Scottish Chamber Orchestra’s season opener

By Simon Thompson, 27 September 2024

Dvořák, the SCO and conductor Maxim Emelyanychev are a winning combination, but does Steven Isserlis steal everyone’s thunder?

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Steven Isserlis and Maxim Emelyanychev © Christopher Bowen

Dvořák’s music takes centre stage in the SCO's season opener

By Simon Thompson

Véronique Gens and Joseph Middleton © Marc Eskenazi

An evening of song from La Belle Époque with Veronique Gens

By Simon Thompson, 10 September 2024

One of the Lammermuir Festival's miniature miracles: Véronique Gens and Joseph Middleton present an evening of French chansons in the East Lothian countryside.

****1

Véronique Gens and Joseph Middleton © Marc Eskenazi

An evening of song from La Belle Époque with Veronique Gens

By Simon Thompson

Sir Mark Elder and the Hallé © Maxime Ragni

Sir Mark Elder bows out with Mahler 5 at the Edinburgh International Festival

By Simon Thompson, 17 August 2024

Lili Boulanger evokes the abyss and Mahler struggles out of it, as Sir Mark Elder bids his final farewell to the Hallé.

*****

Sir Mark Elder and the Hallé © Maxime Ragni

Sir Mark Elder bows out with Mahler 5 in Edinburgh

By Simon Thompson

La Pasión según San Marcos © Andrew Perry

Edinburgh International Festival explodes into life with Golijov's La Pasión según San Marcos

By Simon Thompson, 03 August 2024

Golijov's La Pasión según San Marcos is full of life, but seeing it as well as hearing it definitely helps.

****1

La Pasión según San Marcos © Andrew Perry

Edinburgh Festival explodes into life with Golijov's St Mark Passion

By Simon Thompson

Pavel Haas Quartet © Neil Hanna Photography

A stellar evening of Czech music at the East Neuk Festival

By Simon Thompson, 27 June 2024

The Belfiato Wind Quintet and Pavel Haas Quartet bring unique intensity to the East Neuk Festival's Czech night, quivering with intensity as they bring their homeland's music to life.

*****

Pavel Haas Quartet © Neil Hanna Photography

A stellar evening of Czech music at the East Neuk Festival

By Simon Thompson

Kristiina Poska conducts the Flanders Symphony Orchestra © Kaupo Kikkas

Safe, solid, super: Flanders Symphony finishes UK tour in Edinburgh

By Simon Thompson, 23 June 2024

The Flanders Symphony Orchestra finish their UK tour in Edinburgh with Mozart and Beethoven: safe repertoire, but it's played with focus and energy.

****1

Kristiina Poska conducts the Flanders Symphony Orchestra © Kaupo Kikkas

Safe, solid, super: Flanders Symphony finishes UK tour in Edinburgh

By Simon Thompson

Andrew Manze in rehearsal with the SCO academy © Christopher Bowen

Andrew Manze conducts the Scottish Chamber Orchestra in all Vaughan Williams

By Simon Thompson, 02 May 2024

The amateurs of the SCO Academy play Vaughan Williams' Concerto Grosso alongside the orchestra's professionals, and there is glorious warmth in the Fifth Symphony. Just don't ask me to love The Lark Ascending.

****1

Andrew Manze in rehearsal with the SCO academy © Christopher Bowen

Andrew Manze conducts the SCO in all Vaughan Williams

By Simon Thompson

Alice Coote, John Wilson and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra © Royal Scottish National Orchestra

Wilson the Wizard brings magic to The Planets with the RSNO in Edinburgh

By Simon Thompson, 19 April 2024

John Wilson brings the best out of both Holst's music and the players of the RSNO, though Alice Coote fails to hit the heights in Elgar's Sea Pictures.

****1

Alice Coote, John Wilson and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra © Royal Scottish National Orchestra

Wilson the Wizard brings magic to The Planets in Edinburgh

By Simon Thompson

Thomas Adès © Marco Borggreve

Thomas Adès conducts the Scottish Chamber Orchestra in a fascinating programme

By Simon Thompson, 11 April 2024

Thomas Adès conducts a new version of his own The Origin of the Harp, but music by Woolrich and Weir falls to grip.

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Thomas Adès © Marco Borggreve

Thomas Adès conducts the SCO in fascinating programme

By Simon Thompson

Simon Trpčeski, Thomas Søndergård and the RSNO © RSNO

Spectacular Saint-Saëns from Trpčeski at the RSNO’s Valentine’s Concert

By Simon Thompson, 16 February 2024

Trpčeski sparkles in Saint-Saëns' Second Piano Concerto in an adventurous Valentine's treat, while a slimmed-down fantasia makes Szymanowski's King Roger digestible.

****1

Simon Trpčeski, Thomas Søndergård and the RSNO © RSNO

Spectacular Saint-Saëns at the RSNO’s Valentine’s Concert

By Simon Thompson

Maxim Emelyanychev © Scottish Chamber Orchetsra

Ancient and modern juxtapositions from Emelyanychev and the Scottish Chamber Orchestra

By Simon Thompson, 07 December 2023

Maxim Emelyanychev forges connections between composers ancient and modern, but it's the Baroque composers who come off best as played by the Scottish Chamber Orchestra.

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Maxim Emelyanychev © Scottish Chamber Orchetsra

Ancient and modern from Emelyanychev and the SCO

By Simon Thompson

Pei-Jee Ng and Thomas Søndergård © Chris Hart

Scheherazade sparkles, but Icarus fails to soar

By Simon Thompson, 01 December 2023

Lera Auerbach's Icarus serves up lots of flavours without much meat, but the RSNO's new principal cello makes a first class soloist debut with them in Shostakovich.

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Pei-Jee Ng and Thomas Søndergård © Chris Hart

Scheherazade sparkles, but Icarus fails to soar

By Simon Thompson