A showcase as spectacular as the Northern Lights.

On a summer evening in Edinburgh the young Mendelssohn imagined the first notes of his Scottish symphony. It’s the sound of Highland mists, warring clans, and melodies as smoky as a single malt – a stirring contrast to Mozart’s comedy overture and the vast Nordic skies of Sibelius’s sweeping Violin Concerto. Add in Scottish composer Aileen Sweeney’s musical gleam of sunlight, alongside violin superstar Ray Chen, and you can expect fire as well as ice!

About Scottish Symphony

Where Have I Heard it Before?

Who said opera was serious? Charlie and the Chocolate Factory uses the overture to The Marriage of Figaro to accompany the magical moment as Gene Wilder opens the doors to the factory.

Overture to the Marriage of Figaro Mozart

Full programme

  • Mozart, The Marriage of Figaro: Overture  (4mins)
  • Sibelius, Violin Concerto  (31mins)
  • Sweeney, Glisk  (4mins)
  • Mendelssohn, Symphony No.3 (Scottish)  (40mins)

Performers

  • Headshot of conductor Cristian Macelaru

    Cristian Macelaru

    Conductor
  • Photograph of Ray Chen holding his violin.

    Ray Chen

    Violin