World class orchestral music will return to north-east
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The new Aberdeen Concert Series will feature nine shows for people to enjoy.
It is presented by the Royal Scottish National Orchestra (RSNO) and the Scottish Chamber Orchestra (SCO) over 2024/25.
The shows will be performed in Aberdeen’s Music Hall with programmes to suit all musical tastes.
This autumn the RSNO kicks things off with their music director Thomas Søndergård in a programme that features Strauss’ lively Oboe Concerto, Alfvén’s mythic Bergakungen Suite and Grieg’s iconic Peer Gynt Suites.
In November, the SCO is joined by Leeds International Piano Competition winner Eric Lu for Grieg’s timeless Piano Concerto, and conductor Ryan Bancroft brings more Nordic music flavours in the shape of Andrea Tarrodi’s Lucioles and Sibelius’ Fifth Symphony.
SCO principal conductor, Maxim Emelyanychev, is joined by violinist Aylen Pritchin in December for Prokofiev’s Second Violin Concerto and bookends the programme with symphonies by Brahms and Prokofiev.
Both the RSNO and SCO offer musical treats for family audiences this season.
The RSNO’s enduringly popular Christmas Concert, sponsored by ScotRail, featuring Howard Blake’s The Snowman is bound to get people in the festive mood while the SCO’s Great Grumpy Gaboon family show will take audiences on a whole new musical adventure.
To start the new year, the SCO is joined by Baroque expert Rachel Podger for a delightful matinee focussing on the dancing energy of some of JS Bach’s most iconic orchestral music, with the SCO flutes taking centre stage.
In March, winner of the 2023 Scottish International Piano Competition, Jonathan Mamora, joins the RSNO and conductor Lionel Bringuier for the monumental Third Piano Concerto by Rachmaninov alongside works by Farrenc and Bartók in a concert Recommended by Classic FM.
The SCO presents another matinee concert in April with the charismatic François Leleux, this time featuring works by Mozart and R Strauss, as well as the Scottish Premiere of Georgian teenager Tsotne Zédginidze’s commanding First Symphony.
The RSNO closes the Aberdeen Concert Series with night-sky-blue, an evocative programme featuring an atmospheric selection of works including the Scottish Premiere of Helen Grime’s Trumpet Concerto performed by Håkan Hardenberger.
Both the RSNO and the SCO are committed to providing access to their Aberdeen Concert Series concerts to the next generation of audiences.
Most concerts offer free tickets to those under the age of 18 and £6 tickets for Under 26s and students.
Gavin Reid LVO, SCO chief executive said: “We’re thrilled to be announcing a new Aberdeen Concert Series, working with our longtime partners the RSNO and Aberdeen Music Hall.
“The SCO are delighted to contribute a rich and varied selection of concerts to the 2024-25 Aberdeen Season: from Principal Conductor Maxim Emelyanychev conducting Prokofiev and Brahms to our family concert The Great Grumpy Gaboon, there’s something for everyone for enjoy across the season.’
Alistair Mackie, RSNO chief executive said: “We’re delighted to continue our partnership with the SCO and bring music for all ages and tastes to the Music Hall this coming autumn.
“Celebrating his seventh Season as RSNO music director, Thomas Søndergård returns to the stage with one of our own special talents, Principal Oboe Adrian Wilson, as soloist.
“We also look forward to welcoming families to our much-loved Christmas Concert, featuring The Snowman on the big screen.
“It’s testament to the dedication of our Aberdeen Concert Series audiences that the series continues to go from strength to strength.
“We can’t wait to share these exciting performances with our audiences in the Music Hall.”
