Scottish Chamber Orchestra

The Scottish Chamber Orchestra (SCO) is Scotland's national chamber orchestra, based in Edinburgh. One of Scotland’s five National Performing Arts Companies, the SCO performs throughout Scotland, including annual tours of the Scottish Highlands and Islands and South of Scotland. The SCO appears regularly at the Edinburgh, East Neuk, St Magnus and Aldeburgh Festivals and The Proms. The SCO's international touring receives support from the Scottish Government. The Orchestra rehearses mainly at Edinburgh's Queen's Hall.

The orchestra was formed in 1974, with Roderick Brydon as its first Principal Conductor, from 1974 to 1983. Other principal conductors have included Jukka-Pekka Saraste (1987-1991) and Ivor Bolton (1994-1996). The American violinist and conductor Joseph Swensen served as Principal Conductor from 1996 to 2005, and is now the SCO's Conductor Emeritus. Sir Charles Mackerras held the position of Conductor Laureate until his death in 2010. The Estonian conductor Olari Elts served as the SCO's Principal Guest Conductor from October 2007 to September 2010. In October 2008, the SCO announced the appointment of Robin Ticciati as the orchestra's next principal conductor, effective as of the 2009-2010 season, with an initial contract of 3 years. In October 2010, the SCO announced the extension of Ticciati's contract as principal conductor for an additional 3 years, through the 2014-2015 season. In March 2013, the SCO further extended Ticciati's contract as principal conductor to 2018. In May 2014 the SCO announced the appointment of Emmanuel Krivine as its next principal guest conductor, effective September 2015, for an initial period of 4 years.

The orchestra's chief executive of 23 years, Roy McEwan, retired in August 2016. In April 2016, the SCO announced the appointment of Gavin Reid as its next chief executive, effective 29 August 2016.

The SCO's work in contemporary music has included collaborations with Gordon Crosse, John McLeod, and with Peter Maxwell Davies notably the series of Strathclyde Concertos.Einojuhani Rautavaara's Autumn Gardens received its world premiere with the SCO in 1999. The SCO premiered Sally Beamish's Concerto for Orchestra (Sangsters) in November 2002. The SCO has commissioned over 100 new works, from composers including Peter Maxwell Davies (the SCO's Composer Laureate), Mark-Anthony Turnage, Judith Weir, Sally Beamish, Karin Rehnqvist, Lyell Cresswell, James MacMillan, Hafliði Hallgrímsson, Einojuhani Rautavaara, Stuart MacRae, Edward Harper and Martin Suckling (appointed SCO Associate Composer in 2013).

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