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Saxophone dreams with Jess Gillam and the SCO delight in St Andrews

Jess Gillam, Ben Glassberg and the Scottish Chamber Orchestra
© Christopher Bowen (at Glasgow City Halls)
By David Smythe, 12 March 2026
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“Glassberg pacing the arc of the music perfectly”
Reviewed at Holy Trinity St Andrews Church, St Andrews on 11 March 2026
Programme
Clyne, Sound and Fury
Howard, Saxophone Concerto
Walker, Lyric for Strings
Shaw, Entr'acte
Heath, The Celtic
Harle, Rant
Performers
Scottish Chamber Orchestra
Ben Glassberg, Conductor
Jess Gillam, Saxophone
More Concert reviews
Baroque inspirations from Emelyanychev and the SCO
David Smythe, 20th February

Maxim Emelyanychev and the Scottish Chamber Orchestra offer a Baroque-inspired programme of Bach, Handel, Britten, a modern take on Scarlatti and wonderfully zany Schnittke.

****1
Maxim Emelyanychev and the Scottish Chamber Orchestra reshape Mozart
David Smythe, 29th January

In Edinburgh’s Usher Hall, Mozart’s final three symphonies are given a vibrant interpretation by the Scottish Chamber Orchestra conducted by the effervescent Maxim Emelyanychev.

****1
Gnarly Buttons central to the SCO’s John Adams programme
David Smythe, 12th December

Andrew Manze conducts an all-Adams programme in Glasgow, Maximiliano Martín the fearless soloist in Gnarly Buttons, bookended by mesmerising Shaker Loops and exuberant Fearful Symmetries. 

****1
Reich+ from Colin Currie and the Scottish Chamber Orchestra
David Smythe, 6th November

The Scottish Chamber Orchestra with Colin Currie fizz with energy in Duddell, Grime and Steve Reich.

****1
A tale of two Glorias: Poulenc and Vivaldi with the SCO in Edinburgh
Simon Thompson, 9th October

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?

****1
An acrobatic Orpheus and Eurydice in Edinburgh
Roy Westbrook, 13th August
The music plays second fiddle to Australian circus company Circa in Yaron Lifschitz’s production of Gluck's great opera. 
***11
More reviews...
Read reviews of
Anna ClyneBen GlassbergCaroline ShawDani HowardEntr'acteGeorge WalkerJess GillamJohn HarleLyric for StringsRantScottish Chamber OrchestraSound and Fury
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David Smythe
David Smythe
David the farmer was drawn into music through choirs, orchestras, taking part in and directing 'serious' opera as a student. Passionate about live classical music, particularly chamber opera, unusual pieces and events and giving the next generation the tools to engage with the classical world.