Scottish Chamber Orchestra
The Scottish Chamber Orchestra is internationally recognised as one of the world's foremost orchestras of its size and for its innovative approach to music-making and programme planning. Formed in 1974 with a commitment to serve the Scottish community, it is also one of the country's major cultural ambassadors. The Orchestra performs throughout Scotland, including an annual tour of the Highlands and Islands, and appears regularly at the Edinburgh, St Magnus and Aldeburgh Festivals and the BBC Proms. Its busy international schedule has recently included Belgium, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Spain, the USA, Portugal and The Netherlands.
The SCO's long-standing relationship with Conductor Laureate Sir Charles Mackerras, has resulted in many exceptional performances and recordings, particularly at the Edinburgh International Festival where they have established an enviable reputation for concert performances of opera. Their recordings together include seven Mozart operas, a Grammy-nominated set of Brahms' symphonies, four CDs of Mozart Piano Concertos with Alfred Brendel, Mozart's Requiem (Linn CKD 211) and a disc of Kodály and Bartók (Linn CKD 234) for Linn Records.
Following nine successful years as the SCO's Principal Conductor, Joseph Swensen became the Orchestra's first Conductor Emeritus in 2005. He and the SCO have built a reputation for exuberant and dynamic performances and, with Swensen as soloist, have performed and recorded a number of the great violin concertos together.
In 2007 the young Estonian Olari Elts was appointed to the position of Principal Guest Conductor.
The Orchestra has worked closely with many leading composers, including Composer Laureate Sir Peter Maxwell Davies, Mark-Anthony Turnage, Judith Weir and James MacMillan. The SCO also collaborated with the Swedish Chamber Orchestra in a four-year programme of joint commissions from Sally Beamish and Karin Rehnqvist.
The SCO has led the way in the development of music education, with a unique programme of projects, providing workshops for children and adults across Scotland.
For further information -
www.sco.org.ukClassica Repertoire"Nous aimons...beaucoup"
more >>LiveGuide.com"These may be the best versions of Symphonies 38 and 39 ever recorded..."
more >>Scherzo'Excepcional' Award from the Spanish publication
more >>CrescendoAn "admirable" performance
more >>MusicWeb InternationalRecording of the Month: "...a benchmark of our time."
more >>Expansion'Mozart vive!'
more >>Opus MusicaDisc of the Month
more >>Early Music Review...powerful, individual readings.
more >>hi-fi +
Quite brilliant...truly majestic.
more >>GramophoneEvery bit as good as you would expect. Gramophone Recommended.
more >>HiFi NewsAlbum of the Month
more >>Klassik.com
So gelingt gleichsam unter der Hand Mozart-Interpretationen, die man zu den überzeugendsten dieser Sinfonien zählen darf.
more >>The Ticket (Ireland)
simply irresistible
more >>audiophile.noLinn Records har spilt inn Mozart sine fire siste symfonier. Til denne oppgaven har de selvfølgelig håndplukket Scottish Chamber Orchestra dirigert av Sir Charles Mackerras.
more >>The GuardianMackerras's Mozart is full of the life-affirming vitality more often associated with youth
more >>International Record ReviewA vibrant and utterly gripping appearance from first moment to last, and all caught in sound that is amazingly lifelike. No Mozartian should be without these inspiring discs.
more >>Atlanta Audio Society...Performances that may well take their place among the best on record.
more >>BBC Music MagazineOrchestral Disc of the Month: "exhilarating ... ravishing"
more >>The Timesamong the very best recordings of these four symphonies on disc
more >>Audiophile Auditionsome spectacular readings in first class sonics
more >>AudioVideoHD.comAn outstanding review from the Spanish audiophile publication
more >>McAlister Matheson MusicA recording of "delicacy and spice...grandeur and exuberance"
more >>The Listexciting and thrilling
more >>MusicOMH.comAnyone who loves classical music has to own this recording...this will be one of the year's finest recordings.
more >>Independent on Sunday...Few recordings have the authority and warmth of this release.
more >>The ObserverMozart's last four symphonies...have rarely shone as luminously as in these uplifting accounts.
more >>The HeraldThis will have you out of your seat with excitement...a Mozart set to match any.
more >>The Week...Astonishing...
more >>Financial Times...Sheer vitality...
more >>BBC OnlineThis recording should have you stampeding to the record shops.
more >>MetroPure delight.
more >>SA-CD.netI can't imagine Mozart being better performed...a wonderful set that will remain long in the memory.
more >>The Sunday TimesClassical CD of the Week: Possibly their finest record to date...I don't know more enthralling accounts of the G minor and the Jupiter on disc.
more >>The GuardianThese are the finest versions of Mozart's greatest symphonies to have appeared on disc in years.
more >>ClassicalSource.comBeautifully judged...exciting listening
more >>ClassicsTodayFrance.comAn outstanding review for the orchestral recording
more >>Opus MusicaThe SCO tour Spain conducted by Frans Brüggen
more >>Classic FM Magazine...a sleek, radiant account of Mozart's Salzburg years.
more >>The Strad...refined and gracefully expressive...
more >>Atlanta Audio SocietyA recording that "stops us in our tracks"
more >>The ObserverThe SCO's playing is as refined and elegant as these wonderful works themselves.
more >>BBCi...this is a really enjoyable super audio disc which I thoroughly recommend...
more >>The Daily Telegraph...Unalloyed delight.
more >>Hi-Fi News
Stylish playing throughout
more >>MusicWeb-International.comJaniczek proves able as both soloist and conductor, turning in a performance of abounding grace and charm
more >>The Scotsman'The ensemble playing is up to the high standard expected from the Scottish Chamber Orchestra...'
more >>Manchester Evening Newshighly inventive and listenable pieces of music
more >>ClassicsTodayFrance.comIn French: "...Janiczek est un excellent violiniste"
more >>Audiophile AuditionAn outstanding review for an 'alert, full-blooded and irresistibly engaging' performance
more >>MetroLinn engineers catch the many sparkling facets of their sound brilliantly
more >>BBC Music MagazineBenchmark Recording
more >>Audiophile AuditionSwensen's rich violin tone is naturally conveyed
more >>Atlanta Audio SocietySCO soloists savor Mozart concertos...
more >>Hi-Fi ChoiceMartin's playing has the easy virtuosity that only top class musicians can achieve.
more >>Audiophile AuditionThree superb concertos, three superb soloists, and a superb hi-res recording
more >>The HeraldVery fine, beautifully-paced performances, with the SCO, in exquisitely sensitive, responsive form
more >>The ScotsmanA recording full of "energetic freshness"
more >>Classic FM MagazineOrchestral Disc of the Month
more >>John O'Groat JournalThe recording is excellent in all aspects
more >>The Sunday Heraldinspired playing...a thrilling performance
more >>Inverness Courier[Swensen's] tone is sweet and finely spun
more >>Scotland on SundaySterling performances by Swensen and the SCO
more >>ClassicsToday.comsnappy rhythms and seductive phrasing
more >>Classical SourceSwensen's pianissimo moments are particularly memorable
more >>Atlanta Audio Societyradiantly beautiful and emotionally uncomplicated
more >>Classic FM Magazinestrong and classy solo playing
more >>BBC Music Magazinethe Five Melodies is the real reason for enthusiasts to search out this disc
more >>Atlanta Audio Societysimply stunning
more >>The Dominion Postmarvellously intense...beautifully played
more >>International Record ReviewThis is worth investigating
more >>ClassicsToday.comthis is exceptional by any standard
more >>Inverness Couriera sparkling account
more >>The Scotsmana blisteringly clear and effervescent performance
more >>Audiophile Auditionexotic and colorful
more >>International Record ReviewLinn's engineering is top notch
more >>The Dominion Posta fascinating programme and beautifully judged playing
more >>The Daily Telegraphplaying that is both crisp and charged with the underlying drama
more >>HighFidelityReview.comHighly recommended.
more >>UltraAudio.comI like this recording enough to cry "Encore!" for a companion disc containing Bartók's Dance Suite and other short works by Bartók and Kodály.
more >>Gramophone - Awards Issue...there's something very inviting about the warmth Mackerras casts over this music, a warmth aided by Linn's well-handled recording.
more >>Sunday TelegraphA 'wonderful' and 'sparkling' performance
more >>ClassicsToday.comAn easy and enthusiastic recommendation!
more >>International Record ReviewSparkling...
more >>ClassicsTodayFrance.comEN FRANÇAIS
more >>HDTV MagazineHighly recommended for "newbies" and seasoned aficionados alike!
more >>Atlanta Audio SocietyThe vivacity of the outer movements is of special note in this performance.
more >>The Sunday Times...their playing here has a virtuosity, a rhythmic élan and a palette of rich orchestral colour to challenge the finest performances.
more >>The Stradcolourful, fast-paced and brilliant
more >>HiFi ChoiceA recording to 'keep you on the edge of your seat'
more >>What Mackerras has going for him is delicate yet potent recorded sound...
more >>Sunday HeraldThese are thrillingly alive performances, persuasive in every department and superbly recorded.
more >>The Guardian...Mackerras brings vividness and a real sense of drama.
more >>The ObserverA 'ravishing disc'
more >>The Daily Telegraph...as fresh and authentic as they come...
more >>The Scotsman...music of enormous originality and colour.
more >>BBCitop notch orchestral playing combined with excellent sound quality
more >>International Record ReviewSwensen is a player of real distinction
more >>Daily Telegraphlively and zest-filled performances
more >>ClassicsToday.comit's just about perfect
more >>Hi Fi +technically assured and intimate readings
more >>Audiophile AuditionSwensen makes lovely sounds
more >>Audio & Video Lifestyle Australiasuberb sound quality
more >>Hi Fi +a highly evocative interpretation
more >>Sunday Heraldthe excellent performance you would expect
more >>The Sunday TimesMackerras's performance is thrilling
more >>The GuardianThe choral singing is acutely responsive
more >>PositiveFeedback.coma wonderful performance
more >>Audiophile Auditiona genuinely superb performance
more >>HighFidelityReview.coma priceless addition to the surround sound catalogue
more >>The Sunday Heralda performance of great charm and flexibility
more >>Audiophile Audition[An] exceptionally beautiful new release
more >>The ObserverThe results ... are breathtaking
more >>