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The SCO believes passionately in performing work by composers based in Scotland, and the Orchestra’s concerts of contemporary music are consistently among its most rewarding.

In the Year of Homecoming, the Orchestra celebrates some significant Scottish anniversaries. The 50th birthday of James MacMillan, whose early career saw a string of SCO commissions, is marked with his tour de force Tryst, and tribute is paid to the music of Kenneth Leighton, in the 80th anniversary year of his birth, with his 1961 concerto.

Edward Harper’s Third Symphony was originally on the programme for this concert, but was unfinished when he passed away in April this year. Instead, the Orchestra will perform his Second Symphony, which draws on text from poetry by Scots author Ron Butlin and text from the Bible.

5:15pm-6:15pm Comparing Notes (free to ticket holders): Do you enjoy a good chat about music? Comparing Notes is the SCO’s new informal and in-depth discussion group held in the Scottish Music Centre at City Halls – not only does it offer you the chance to learn about some of the music before you hear it, but it also gives you the opportunity to reflect on the concerts, discuss them and lots more in future weeks. If you would like to join the group, please contact Kirsten Hunter on 0131 478 8353 or Kirsten.hunter@sco.org.uk

6.30pm Pre-concert talk (free to ticket holders): Composer Lyell Cresswell pays tribute to the music of Edward Harper and Kenneth Leighton

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