The Program

Beethoven: Scenes from The Creatures of Prometheus, Op. 43
Mozart: Piano Concerto in B-flat Major, K. 595
Mendelssohn: The Hebrides (Fingal's Cave), Op. 26
Mozart: Piano Concerto in D Minor, K. 466

The Artists

The Scottish Chamber Orchestra was formed in 1974 with a commitment to serve the Scottish community.  It is also one of the country’s major cultural ambassadors, performing regularly across the country and 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 over the years. 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, a disc of Kodály and Bartók and the recent highly acclaimed recording of Mozart’s last four for Linn Records.  The young Estonian conductor Olari Elts became the Orchestra’s Principal Guest Conductor from the 2007/08 Season.  Following nine successful years as the SCO’s Principal Conductor, Joseph Swensen became the Orchestra’s first Conductor Emeritus in 2005.  He has developed a unique relationship with the SCO as soloist as well as conductor and he and the SCO have released five CDs together on Linn Records.  The Orchestra has worked closely with many leading composers, including Composer Laureate Sir Peter Maxwell Davies, Mark-Anthony Turnage, Judith Weir and James MacMillan. 

Polish-Hungarian pianist Piotr Anderszewski is regarded as one of the outstanding musicians of his generation.  Recognized for the intensity and originality of his interpretations, he has been singled out for several high profile awards throughout his career, including the prestigious Gilmore award, given every four years to a pianist of exceptional talent.  In March 2009 he led the Scottish Chamber Orchestra on a tour of Eastern Europe.  Mr. Anderszewski also appeared last season with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Norddeutscher Rundfunk and Philadelphia orchestras and led a concert series devoted to the music of Szymanowski at both Carnegie Hall and the Wigmore Hall in London. He appeared in recital with PCMS during the 2007-08 season.  For more information on Piotr Anderszewski visit www.anderszewski.net.