The Royal Scottish National Orchestra
In the decades since its founding, the Royal Scottish National Orchestra has earned a reputation as a distinguished ensemble with an extensive concert schedule, wide-ranging repertoire, and a significant representation on recordings. In 2021, the orchestra was heard on the album Xiaogang Ye: Winter, as well as a recording of Mozart Concertos, backing Francesca Dego.
The Royal Scottish National Orchestra is the direct descendant of the Scottish Orchestra, founded in Glasgow in 1891. Throughout its first 40 years, the Scottish Orchestra had a series of principal conductors, beginning with George Henschel from 1893 until 1895. In 1933, while the orchestra -- along with the rest of the world -- was facing financial difficulties, subscribers and patrons kept the ensemble afloat. That year, John Barbirolli assumed the post of principal conductor; since that time, the orchestra has been helmed by many well-known conductors, including George Szell, Walter Süsskind, and Alexander Gibson (the first Scot to lead the ensemble and the longest-tenured), among others. Under Süsskind's leadership, with the establishment of the Scottish National Orchestra Society with monies from several Scottish cities, the Scottish Orchestra became a permanent ensemble, changing its name to the Scottish National Orchestra in 1950.
During its early years, the orchestra played its Glasgow concerts in the acoustically wonderful St. Andrew's Hall. From the time the hall was destroyed by fire in 1962, the Scottish National Orchestra played in a series of venues of varying suitability. In 1977, during Gibson's tenure, Queen Elizabeth II granted the orchestra royal patronage; Gibson also earned his knighthood that year during the Queen's Silver Jubilee and Birthday Honours. The redesign of the Trinity Church on Claremont Street in 1979 gave the Scottish National Orchestra a new home: Henry Wood Hall. In 1991, the orchestra changed its name to the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, affirming its royal patronage. It was briefly named the Royal Scottish Orchestra but reverted to its present name in 1992.
While the orchestra boasts a wide-ranging repertoire, it has been singled out for its recordings of Bruckner, Barber, and 20th century British composers like Bax, MacMillan, and Holst. It has also earned a particular reputation for recorded performances of film scores, including a Gramophone Award in 1997 for its recording of Bernard Herrmann's score to Vertigo. In 2015, the orchestra moved to its current home, the RSNO Centre at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall. Neeme Järvi (principal conductor from 1984 until 1988) is the orchestra's conductor laureate, and Alexander Lazarev (principal conductor from 1997 until 2005) is conductor emeritus. Following a six-year stint as principal guest conductor, the Royal Scottish National Orchestra appointed Thomas Søndergård its music director, effective in 2018. In 2021, the orchestra was heard on a collection of works by Xiaogang Ye on BIS and, under Roger Norrington, backed Francesca Dego on a Chandos recording of Mozart Concertos.
© TiVo Staff /TiVo
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Thomas Wilson: Symphonies Nos. 3 & 4
The Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Rory MacDonald
Classical - Released by Linn Records on 8 Feb 2019
24-Bit 96.0 kHz - Stereo -
Elgar: Cockaigne Overture, Pomp & Circumstance Marches & The Crown of India Suite
Alexander Gibson, The Royal Scottish National Orchestra
Symphonies - Released by Chandos on 1 Nov 1985
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Liebermann: Flute Concerto - Works by Hüe, Nielsen and Poulenc
Katherine Bryan, The Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Paul Daniel
Classical - Released by Linn Records on 1 Sep 2010
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
STRAUSS, R.: Metamorphosen / ELLER: Elegia / BARBER: Adagio for Strings
The Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Neeme Järvi
Symphonic Music - Released by Chandos on 1 Mar 1996
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Alexandre Nevski - Suite Scythe
Linda Finnie, The Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Neeme Järvi
Classical - Released by Chandos on 1 Jan 1988
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Wilson: Symphonies Nos. 2 & 5
The Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Rory MacDonald
Classical - Released by Linn Records on 13 Nov 2020
24-Bit 96.0 kHz - Stereo -
BLISS: Piano Concerto / Piano Sonata / Concerto for 2 Pianos
Peter Donohoe, The Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Martin Roscoe, David Lloyd-Jones
Classical - Released by Naxos on 1 Jan 2004
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
ALFVEN: Symphony No. 3 / Legend of the Skerries
The Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Niklas Willen
Classical - Released by Naxos on 3 May 1999
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Silly Girl's Dance
The Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Álvaro Cassuto
Classical - Released by Naxos on 4 Mar 2013
24-Bit 96.0 kHz - Stereo -
Barber: Adagio for Strings - Strauss: Metamorphosen - Pärt: Cantus in Memoriam Benjamin Britten
Neeme Järvi, The Royal Scottish National Orchestra
Symphonies - Released by Chandos on 1 Mar 2004
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
L'Âge d'Or (Intégrale)
The Royal Scottish National Orchestra, José Serebrier
Classical - Released by Naxos on 21 Nov 2006
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Symphonie N° 8 - Le Pigeon des bois
The Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Neeme Järvi
Symphonic Music - Released by Chandos on 1 Apr 1989
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Beaser: Guitar Concerto
José Serebrier, The Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Eliot Fisk
Classical - Released by Linn Records on 23 Jun 2017
24-Bit 96.0 kHz - Stereo -
Dimitar Nenov: Piano Concerto & Ballade No. 2
Ivo Varbanov, The Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Emil Tabakov
Classical - Released by Hyperion on 2 Jun 2017
24-Bit 192.0 kHz - Stereo -
Rautavaara: Symphony No. 7 / Angels and Visitations
The Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Hannu Koivula
Classical - Released by Naxos on 19 Feb 2003
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Bartok: The Wooden Prince, The Miraculous Mandarin, Hungarian Sketches & Concerto for Orchestra
Neeme Järvi, Philharmonia Orchestra, The Royal Scottish National Orchestra, London Voices, Terry Edwards
Symphonies - Released by Chandos on 1 Jul 2014
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Scottish Overtures
Alexander Gibson, The Royal Scottish National Orchestra
Symphonies - Released by Chandos on 1 Jan 1985
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Strauss: Symphonic Poems, Vol. 1
Neeme Järvi, The Royal Scottish National Orchestra
Symphonies - Released by Chandos on 1 Mar 2004
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
H. Brian: Symphony No.13, English Suite No.4 & Violin Concerto
Havergal Brian, The Royal Scottish National Orchestra
Classical - Released by Dutton Epoch on 1 Nov 2012
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Strauss: Orchestral Songs, Vol. 1
Neeme Järvi, The Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Dame Felicity Lott
Mélodies - Released by Chandos on 1 Mar 1992
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Pièces pour piano orchestrées
The Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Bjarte Engeset
Classical - Released by Naxos on 27 Mar 2007
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo