From the multicoloured to the macabre: Capperauld’s murky creation was inspired by the life-and-death obsessions of Austrian composer Anton Bruckner, who reputedly kissed the exhumed skulls of Beethoven and Schubert when the composers’ remains were transferred between Viennese cemeteries. Premiered last Season to enormous acclaim, this audacious creation dares to stare death directly in the face – experience its uncanny power in this performance from the SCO and Maxim Emelyanychev.

Bruckner's Skull

After sell-out performances in 2024 and travelling the country in 2025, The Great Grumpy Gaboon returns to Glasgow in 2026 for a fun-packed performance at City Halls.

The Great Grumpy Gaboon

Assembly Rooms

City Halls

Perth Concert Hall

As Christmas grows close, step into the warm glow of choral splendour as the SCO Chorus fills Greyfriars Kirk with seasonal music to captivate, calm and inspire you.

A Ceremony of Carols

Greyfriars Kirk

The SCO’s internationally renowned Wind Soloists join forces with some of Scotland’s most accomplished young players for a kaleidoscopic concert of wit and wild imagination – with Mozart rediscovered amid some distinctively Scottish landscapes.

Carmina Gadelica

The Queen's Hall

Royal Conservatoire of Scotland

Holy Trinity Church St Andrews

Wind players from the Scottish Chamber Orchestra perform side by side with the RCS Woodwind department students.

Fridays at One: Scottish Chamber Orchestra Winds Side-by-Side

Capperauld’s kaleidoscopic, Calvino-inspired orchestral showpiece launched the SCO’s 50th Anniversary Season in style, imagining the first colours illuminating an otherwise monochrome world in music of vibrant energy and iridescent hues. Discover (or rediscover) this dazzling, delightful music in a thrilling performance by the SCO and Maxim Emelyanychev.

The Origin of Colour

Immerse is a unique orchestral experience for upper secondary music and art pupils that enables students to experience the excitement of a live orchestra in concert and explore the relationship between music and art.

Immerse 2025

Dumfries Campus - University of the West of Scotland (UWS)

Ayr Town Hall

Lanternhouse

Experience the brilliance of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra Wind Soloists as they bring an exhilarating programme of chamber music to life. From the sparkling wit of Françaix’s Seven Dances from Les Malheurs de Sophie to the elegance of Mozart’s Divertimento in B-flat, this concert is a true celebration of wind music.

SCO Wind Soloists in Concert

Kames Village Store

Kilmelford & Kilniver Village Hall

Crianlarich Village Hall

Gartmore Village Hall

Principal Conductor Maxim Emelyanychev and internationally acclaimed violinist Vilde Frang will join the SCO this May, visiting Amsterdam, Gdańsk and Zürich.

2025 European Tour May

Muziekgebouw aan 't IJ

Polish Baltic Frédéric Chopin Philharmonic

Tonhalle Zürich

Leader of the Chamber Orchestra of Europe since 2008, Lorenza Borrani made a big impression directing Beethoven at her SCO debut last Season.

She and SCO Principal Viola Max Mandel take to the spotlight in what many consider Mozart’s finest creation: the Sinfonia Concertante, K364. The composer no doubt had himself in mind for one of the piece’s solo parts, and the music’s elegant refinement conceals deep emotions of melancholy and joy.  

SCO 24/25: Mozart Sinfonia Concertante

Leader of the Chamber Orchestra of Europe since 2008, Lorenza Borrani made a big impression directing Beethoven at her SCO debut last Season. She and SCO Principal Viola Max Mandel take to the spotlight in what many consider Mozart’s finest creation: the Sinfonia Concertante, K364. The composer no doubt had himself in mind for one of the piece’s solo parts, and the music’s elegant refinement conceals deep emotions of melancholy and joy.

EPSG:4326

Mozart Sinfonia Concertante

Holy Trinity Church Hall

Buchanan Galleries

The song-like Oboe Concerto was one of Mozart’s most loved and performed pieces during his own lifetime. Discover why in the hands of internationally recognised soloist Ivan Podyomov, Principal Oboe at Amsterdam’s Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra and an internationally recognised concerto player too.  

SCO 24/25: Mozart Oboe Concerto

Have you ever felt grumpy? That is exactly how the poor Gaboon feels – really, REALLY grumpy! While the Gaboon’s friends: Long-legged Lin, Fluey-Lu, Woolly Wello and Hoppity Boppit, try everything to cheer Gaboon up, none of them realise that the musical mischief maker, Screature, is lurking in the shadows of the orchestra.

dundee

inverness

His Majesty's Theatre

Swedish composer Anders Hillborg’s 2021 Viola Concerto is a thrilling, high-energy ride through glistening sonic landscapes, and it’s performed by its dedicatee, the remarkable British violist Lawrence Power. Fellow Swede Madeleine Isaksson, meanwhile, transports us to the raw, ethereal beauty of her country’s far north.

Borealis

Glasgow Royal Concert Hall

The Usher Hall

Discover new sounds from Nordic nations and from closer to home, as northern Europe’s most exciting celebration of contemporary music comes to Scotland. 

Swedish composer Anders Hillborg’s 2021 Viola Concerto is a thrilling, high-energy ride through glistening sonic landscapes, and it’s performed by its dedicatee, the remarkable British violist Lawrence Power. Fellow Swede Madeleine Isaksson, meanwhile, transports us to the raw, ethereal beauty of her country’s far north. 

SCO 24/25: Borealis

Immerse offers a live orchestral concert and a unique learning experience for upper secondary school music pupils. It is designed to inspire creativity and enhance understanding of musical concepts used in the repertoire.

Immerse 2024

Music Hall

Eden Court Inverness

Join the Scottish Chamber Orchestra for an electrifying evening of musical contrasts that span centuries, emotions and styles. Featuring works by Haydn, Capperauld and Beethoven, this programme showcases the Orchestra’s versatility and artistry in full force.

Summer Classics

Castle Douglas Town Hall

The Town House Hamilton

From poignant pastoral visions to stirring choral majesty: SCO Principal Guest Conductor Andrew Manze conducts an evening of rapturous English music and striking new sounds, in the company of exceptional British baritone and composer Roderick Williams and the fine voices of the SCO Chorus.

The Language of Eden

Described by composer Sir James MacMillan as “one of the most astonishing and surprising young newcomers in Scottish music,” Glasgow-born accordionist and BBC Radio 3 New Generation Artist (2022-24) Ryan Corbett is redefining expectations of his instrument. And in a concerto written especially for him, fellow Scot Jay Capperauld—praised for his “unbridled sonic imagination” (The Scotsman)—channels the crackling energy of electricity into music that dazzles.

Jay Capperauld

Events

Upcoming events

26 - 27 Mar, 2026

The Language of Eden · Scottish Chamber Orchestra

May 17, 2026

Afternoon Performance: Prokofiev's Romeo and Juliet · BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra

Past events

Feb 12, 2026

Bruckner's Skull · Scottish Chamber Orchestra

6 - 8 Feb, 2026

The Great Grumpy Gaboon · Scottish Chamber Orchestra

About

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