Scottish Ensemble
Background
2007/08 season
Gaelic story project
The Scottish Ensemble launches its new season’s programme in July.
Originally formed in 1969 as the Scottish Baroque Ensemble by the violinist Leonard Friedman, the Scottish Ensemble is today a dynamic group of 12 string players who perform an extensive repertoire, from Baroque to contemporary music. The Ensemble regularly commissions new work and has an enviable reputation for innovative programming, performing rare and unusual pieces alongside well-loved classics. Guest soloists often feature in their programmes. In the past these have included pianist Steven Osborne, Toby Spence and Raphael Wallfisch, and traditional musicians Aly Bain and Karen Matheson.
Led from the violin by Artistic Director Jonathan Morton, the Glasgow-based ensemble undertakes a busy annual schedule of concerts and workshops throughout Scotland and the UK, with main Concert Series tours to Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness and Perth, and appearances in more remote areas as well.
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In addition to this, the Scottish Ensemble receives invitations to perform all over the UK and abroad, from Orkney to London, China to Germany, and is seen as an ambassador for Scottish music. |
The Scottish Ensemble undertakes broadcasts for radio and television, and makes regular live recordings for BBC Radio 3. Their film work includes the award-winning album Follow the Moonstone, a collaboration between the Norwegian composer Henning Sommero and the great Shetland fiddle player Aly Bain.
The Scottish Ensemble is committed to Scotland and its audiences, and is keen to promote an appreciation of music amongst young people.
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Its active learning programme, led by award-winning Education Director Paul Rissman, translates the dynamic and passionate nature of the ensemble’s performances into captivating learning experiences for participants in a range of musical activities. |
These include large-scale creative projects for school pupils, instrumental coaching, professional development seminars for workplaces, and interactive concert opportunities. Past and present collaborations include the National Youth Orchestras of Scotland, the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, Glasgow City Council, Argyll & Bute Council, Artlink Central and Wigmore Hall in London; plus a Youth Music Initiative-funded programme aimed at providing enhanced music experiences for young talented string players.
The Scottish Ensemble records principally with Glasgow-based Linn Records. Recorded repertoire includes works by Benjamin Britten, John Tavener, Shostakovich and Ravel.
The Scottish Ensemble is introducing a number of initiatives this Season. Their subscription series offers a discount of 20% on all ticket prices (which extends to under 26s and under 18s); family tickets for all concerts; and new family concerts in Inverness, Stirling and Perth.
The brochure will launch the Highlands Tour, Scottish and London Seasons and will be available as a download from the Scottish Ensemble’s website from the middle of July 2007.
| The annual Highlands & Islands tour from 31 August to 5 September has two strands. In Inverness, Dornoch and Ballachulish, the Ensemble will perform with Gaelic vocalist, Karen Matheson as part of the Blas Festival. Karen's acclaimed solo CD Downriver was recorded with the Ensemble in 2005. Concerts in Banchory, Mull and Lochgilphead will include Walton’s Sonata for Strings and Grieg’s Holberg Suite. A common thread will be the world première performances of a commission from Bill Sweeney, who this year received a Creative Scotland Award. |
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The Scottish season line-up consists of:
This season also sees the Scottish Ensemble making four appearances in London, including a special tribute to Paul Sacher on 24 January 2008 at Wigmore Hall, with Stravinsky, Richard Strauss and Bartók. The Cadogan Hall Prom on 4 August includes works by Elgar, Finzi, Maconchy and Grieg. The Wigmore Hall performance on 13 October is an all-British one, with pieces by Britten, Finzi and Walton, which will be recorded on the prestigious Wigmore Hall Live label. The more traditional Essential Ensemble programme rounds off the London season on 24 April 2008.
The Scottish Ensemble undertakes an exciting new project for 3 – 7 year olds this season. Paul Rissmann has been commissioned to write a new piece for the Ensemble in collaboration with the leading Gaelic singer, Mairi MacInnes. The work will feature songs for children to sing, based on traditional Scottish stories and songs, involving both English and Gaelic lyrics, and will be suitable for Pre-school and Infant Primary children.
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Teachers will receive a project pack and CD to help them teach the songs to their classes before attending a participatory concert with the Scottish Ensemble and other children from the local area. The children will be encouraged to join in, singing the songs they have learned, celebrating Scotland’s traditional arts whilst developing positive attitudes to those whose language and culture is different from their own. It is hoped that illustrated booklets of the stories will also be produced, enabling the children to see the written words in both languages and to gain a visual representation of the songs. |
The project will be premiered at Glasgow’s Inspiration Festival in autumn 2007, and will tour Scotland in both full band and string quintet versions.
For more information email the Project Manager, Judith Anderson.
| For more information, visit the Scottish Ensemble website. |
The Scottish Ensemble receives funding from the Scottish Arts Council and Glasgow City Council. |