Sweeping Rachmaninov and scorching Barber from the BBC Scottish

By Simon Thompson, 08 February 2026

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“lush strings that wouldn’t have sounded out of place in a Hollywood soundtrack”

Reviewed at Usher Hall, Edinburgh on 8 February 2026

Adams, Short Ride in a Fast Machine

Barber, Symphony no. 1, Op.9

Rachmaninov, Piano Concerto no. 2 in C minor, Op.18

Gemma New, Conductor

Alessio Bax, Piano

BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra

Astonishing Mahler 2 from Runnicles and the BBC Scottish

David Smythe, 1st March

Sir Donald Runnicles and the BBC Scottish reunite for an astonishing Mahler 2 with Karen Cargill, Jennifer Davis and the Edinburgh Festival Chorus.

*****

Meditative and powerful Górecki at Celtic Connections

David Smythe, 20th January

The Celtic Connections festival showcases Górecki’s Sorrowful Songs, the BBC Scottish with soprano Francesca Chiejina conducted by Pawel Kapula with a thoughtful introductory song set from Alice Zawadzki.

****1

Celebrating 90 years of the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra

David Smythe, 20th November

Martyn Brabbins conducts MacMillan’s Confession of Isobel Gowdie, BBCSSO founder Ian Whyte’s forgotten Violin Concerto with Stephanie Gonley, and a memorable Rachmaninov 2.

****1

Canellakis brings sparkle and shine to Stravinsky and Bernstein

Simon Thompson, 21st August

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

****1

Revelatory Birtwistle and Beethoven from the BBC Scottish SO

Peter Quantrill, 28th July

A composer-conductor's insight yields lasting rewards in Earth Dances and the Eroica at the Royal Albert Hall.

*****

Scintillating Bruckner from Wigglesworth and the BBC Scottish

Patrick Maxwell, 27th July

Ryan Wigglesworth conducts a premiere of his own work before steering the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra through a dextrous and fascinating performance of Bruckner's Seventh Symphony.

****1

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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.

Sweeping Rachmaninov and scorching Barber from the BBC Scottish in Edinburgh