James MacMillan, Ava Bahari and Tallinn Chamber Orchestra

Scottish composer James MacMillan’s Violin Concerto No. 2 is a single-movement work with an intense dramatic progression, completed in 2021. The work is dedicated to the violinist Nicola Benedetti and to the memory of composer Krzysztof Penderecki. The world premiere of the violin concerto took place in 2022 at Perth Concert Hall. The soloist is Swedish violinist Ava Bahari, a young performer from Gothenburg who has been praised for her bold choice of repertoire, technical assurance and expressive playing.

The second half of the concert features Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony No. 2 – a work in which classical form clashes with Beethoven’s explosive energy and restless spirit. Although the symphony was composed during a difficult period in the composer’s life, the music comes across as surprisingly luminous and life-affirming.

Sir James MacMillan is one of the most influential and internationally recognised contemporary composers. His music is deeply rooted in a religious worldview, Scottish culture and elements of folk music, whilst also giving prominence to contemporary means of expression. MacMillan’s work is characterised by intense emotionality, structural tension and musical poetry. MacMillan has been a frequent guest in Estonia in recent years, presenting his own works. In 2023, he conducted his chamber opera Clemency at the Birgitta Festival, in 2024, he presented ‘Three Scottish Songs’ with the Tallinn Chamber Orchestra, and in 2025, he premiered his euphonium concerto ‘Where the Lugar Meets the Glaisnock’ in Estonia.