Mackerras conducts Pizarro

The Scottish Chamber Orchestra's Conductor Laureate, Sir Charles Mackerras, makes a welcome return for his only live concerts with the Orchestra this Season - in Perth and Glasgow on 30th and 31st October. The concerts include two of Mozart's later symphonies, No 31 ‘Paris' and No 36 ‘Linz', and feature distinguished pianist Artur Pizarro performing Beethoven's Piano Concerto No 3 (Perth Concert Hall, Thursday 30th October) and Piano Concerto No 4 (Glasgow City Halls, Friday 31st October).  Following the concerts in Perth and Glasgow, Pizarro, Mackerras and the Orchestra will record Beethoven Piano Concertos Nos 3 and 4 for Linn Records, due for release in 2009.

Mozart's Symphony No 36 was written at great speed when, on arrival in Linz, the composer discovered he was expected to conduct a symphony a few days later. His ‘Paris' Symphony is scored for strings and two each of flutes, oboes, clarinets, bassoons, horns and trumpets, with timpani - the largest band for which Mozart scored a symphony from the outset. He wrote two slow movements for this Symphony, one in 6/8 time and one in 3/4 - audiences get the rare opportunity to hear both versions in these performances.

Sir Charles Mackerras's long-standing relationship with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra has resulted in many exceptional performances and recordings, particularly at the Edinburgh International Festival. The Orchestra's latest recording with Sir Charles - a double-disc featuring Mozart's last four symphonies - was released to international acclaim on Linn Records in February 2008.  

Edinburgh audiences can hear Pizarro perform in a more intimate setting in a Sunday afternoon chamber concert on 9th November at 2:30pm in the Queen's Hall.  Pizarro performs solo in Debussy's Preludes, Book 1, and is joined by the SCO principals for Schubert's popular ‘Trout' Quintet.

Visit the SCO website for further information and how to buy tickets.