Celebrate orchestral showpieces from Britain and America – in the company of Germany’s youngest major orchestra. Founded as recently as 1969, the German National Orchestra brings together the country’s finest young musicians in an exceptional roster of extraordinary talent: many of its performers go on to roles in the prestigious Berlin Philharmonic. It has garnered acclaim on several international tours, as well as from eminent conductors including Sir Simon Rattle and current Berlin Philharmonic Chief Conductor, Kirill Petrenko.

Sunday Classics 2024-2025 - German National Orchestra

Usher Hall

Vaughan Williams didn’t like to talk about the inspiration for his Fourth Symphony, and he didn’t need to, because the music speaks louder than any words. Raw, explosive and driven by unstoppable emotional force, this is music on the edge, written as Europe fell under the shadow of war. Not what you expected from Vaughan Williams? Well, Chief Conductor Ryan Wigglesworth loves to find unexpected connections and tell compelling musical stories. In a concert that begins with Mozart’s darkest and most dramatic piano concerto (with Wigglesworth directing from the keyboard, just as Mozart would have done) and includes the haunted beauty of Britten’s folksong suite, he’ll do just that.

BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra: Vaughan Williams’ Symphony No.4

After mesmerising audiences across Europe and the USA, The Rock Orchestra by Candlelight is set to electrify the UK and Ireland once again.

The Rock Orchestra by Candlelight

Edinburgh Playhouse

If music is the food of love, then we have a feast for you this Valentine’s! They call Tchaikovsky’s Sixth Symphony the ‘Pathétique’, which means ‘full of emotion’. And that’s exactly what it is – a pulsing, big-hearted drama of a life on the edge, told in melodies that you’ll never forget. But then, everything about this concert is romantic, beginning with the soaring beauty and off-the- scale passion of Richard Wagner, sung by Korean star soprano Sunyoung Seo.

RSNO Season 24-25: Tchaikovsky’s Pathétique Symphony

With some music, words can’t ever come close. When Gustav Mahler wrote his Ninth Symphony, he knew that he was living on borrowed time, and so he poured everything he had into one of the most poignant and powerful symphonies ever written. In what should be a highlight of our Concert Season, Music Director Thomas Søndergård leads us through a wonderland of hymn tunes, Viennese waltzes, half-remembered songs and distant trumpets – before the sun sets on Mahler’s very own, heartbreaking farewell. Unforgettable.

RSNO Season 24-25: Mahler Nine

Experience the profound depth and emotional intensity of Gustav Mahler's Ninth Symphony with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra under the baton of Music Director Thomas Søndergård. This monumental piece, known for its poignant reflection on life and the inevitability of death, promises to be a highlight of the concert season. Join us for an unforgettable evening at Usher Hall, Edinburgh, on Friday, 21 February 2025, or at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow, on Saturday, 22 February 2025, both performances starting at 7:30 pm.

Mahler's Ninth Symphony stands as a towering achievement in the symphonic repertoire, offering listeners a journey through a wonderland of hymn tunes, Viennese waltzes, and distant trumpets, culminating in a heartbreaking farewell that is both personal and universal. Under Søndergård's direction, the RSNO is set to deliver a performance that captures the essence of Mahler's introspective masterpiece, showcasing the orchestra's exceptional talent and emotional depth.

Tickets are available for purchase, with a range of pricing options to accommodate all attendees. Special discounts are offered for under 18s, under 26s, mature students, unemployed patrons, patrons with disabilities, and groups, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to experience this powerful work. Don't miss your chance to be part of this musical journey that transcends the boundaries of the concert hall, leaving a lasting impression on all who attend.

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Mahler Nine

The Usher Hall

Buchanan Galleries

Experience the thrill of "Top Gun: Maverick in Concert" with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra (RSNO) for a Scottish premiere that promises to elevate your senses. This electrifying event will take place at the prestigious Usher Hall in Edinburgh on Friday, 28th February 2025, at 7:30 pm, and at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall in Glasgow on Saturday, 1st March 2025, at 7:30 pm. 

Under the baton of the acclaimed conductor Ben Palmer, immerse yourself in the Academy Award-winning blockbuster "Top Gun: Maverick" like never before. The film, showcasing the return of Pete "Maverick" Mitchell as he confronts his past and leads a daring mission, will be brought to life on the big screen. Accompanying the visual spectacle, the RSNO will perform the epic score live-to-picture, featuring compositions by Scottish composer Lorne Balfe, Harold Faltermeyer, Lady Gaga, and Hans Zimmer.

Ticket prices range from £19 to £65, with booking fees applicable. Discounts are available for under 18s, under 26s, mature students, unemployed patrons, patrons with disabilities, and groups, ensuring an inclusive experience for all attendees.

Don't miss this unique fusion of film and music that promises to be a memorable night out for cinema and orchestral music enthusiasts alike. Book your tickets now and feel the need for speed with "Top Gun: Maverick in Concert."

Top Gun: Maverick in Concert

Here is your opportunity to experience Elgar’s epic choral masterpiece in the magnificent setting of the Usher Hall. Gerontius is a very ordinary sort of human being – and as he lies dying, he’s anguished and afraid. But his cry of longing opens a portal to wonders beyond the imagination. “This is the best of me” wrote Elgar on the score of The Dream of Gerontius, and this epic drama of a lonely soul’s voyage towards eternity can move listeners to tears. Ryan Wigglesworth has form with Elgar: in a previous performance, The Observer noted that he “plumbed the work’s rich meanings, sacred and secular” – and that Brenden Gunnell sang the title role “with feeling but never excess”. Beth Taylor, Neal Davies and the Huddersfield Choral Society complete an all-star line-up for this landmark of British music.

BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra: Elgar’s Dream of Gerontius

One of the SCO’s closest musical friends, outstanding Finnish violinist Pekka Kuusisto is famed for his pioneering performances and melding of styles. For his first concert with the Orchestra this Season, he directs and plays one of the best-loved masterpieces in the Romantic violin repertoire.

SCO Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto

When it comes to piano playing, challenges don’t get much bigger than Rachmaninov’s Third Piano Concerto – the so-called ‘Everest of Piano Concertos’. There’s a special thrill in hearing a true champion tackle its grand, romantic heights, and as winner of the 2023 Scottish International Piano Competition, Jonathan Mamora is certainly that! With Lionel Bringuier conducting, this concert will be electric, from Louise Farrenc’s powerful overture to Bartók’s technicolour workout for the whole band: the explosive Concerto for Orchestra.

RSNO Season 24-25: Rachmaninov’s Third Piano Concerto

Immerse yourself in an evening of enchanting melodies and dynamic rhythms with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra's presentation of "Clyne & Rachmaninov: Dance." This captivating concert series, taking place from Thursday, March 20th to Saturday, March 22nd, 2025, promises to be a celebration of dance-inspired compositions that span the emotional spectrum.

The repertoire for these performances includes Maurice Ravel's "Valses nobles et sentimentales," a piece that reminisces about a bygone era of elegance and grace. The concert will also feature the Scottish Premiere of Anna Clyne's "DANCE for cello and orchestra," a lyrical concerto that has garnered acclaim for its gorgeous melodies, performed by the rising star cellist Senja Rummukainen. The evening culminates with Sergei Rachmaninov's "Symphonic Dances," his final masterpiece that combines the allure of big band glamour with the heartfelt melodies of his Russian homeland.

Under the baton of the award-winning conductor Emilia Hoving, recognized for her sensational debut and international acclaim, the RSNO is set to deliver a performance that will leave audiences moved and inspired. Emilia's dynamic leadership and innovative approach promise to bring fresh energy to these timeless pieces.

The concerts will be held at three prestigious venues across Scotland, starting with the Perth Concert Hall on Thursday, March 20th, 2025, at 7:30 pm, followed by performances at the Usher Hall in Edinburgh and the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall. Each venue offers a unique atmosphere that will enhance the experience of these stirring works.

Tickets are available for purchase, with a range of pricing options to ensure accessibility for all. Special discounts are offered for under 18s, under 26s, mature students, unemployed patrons, patrons with disabilities, and groups, making this a perfect opportunity for music lovers of all ages to enjoy a night of exceptional classical music.

Don't miss this opportunity to experience the Royal Scottish National Orchestra's "Clyne & Rachmaninov: Dance," a concert that promises to be a highlight of the musical season. Book your tickets now and prepare to be swept away by the power of dance-inspired music performed by some of the most talented artists in the classical world.

Clyne & Rachmaninov: Dance!

Perth Concert Hall

If you’ve seen Amadeus, you’ll already know the myth of Mozart’s Requiem – the masked stranger, the secret commission, the doomed composer. But the music itself is even more incredible, and tonight Principal Guest Conductor Patrick Hahn joins the RSNO Chorus and a terrific team of guest singers to bring the legend to life. The whole concert is just as haunting – with a rarely heard gem from Beethoven and the superb violinist Carolin Widmann as soloist in Berg’s entrancing concerto.

RSNO Season 24-25: Mozart’s Requiem

Some music just captures a certain mood. Debussy basks in silvery moonlight and conjures a melody to haunt your dreams. Rachmaninov loses himself in a painting and takes a surprisingly passionate journey into darkness. Guest conductor Nodoka Okisawa savours both tonight in a concert which just brims with atmosphere, whether it’s the delicacy of Tōru Takemitsu’s How Slow the Wind or Helen Grime’s musical skyscape for Håkan Hardenberger. The world’s greatest classical trumpeter? We think so – but hearing is believing…

RSNO Season 24-25: night-sky-blue

Sometimes art imitates life so closely that you can almost feel its breath. “With passion and desire” wrote Tchaikovsky on the slow movement of his Fifth Symphony, and the whole piece is a struggle between love and despair, told in elegant waltzes, bittersweet songs and melody after sweeping melody. Gemma New is always a popular guest conductor here in Scotland, and she knows exactly how to get to the heart of a masterpiece – whether Lera Auerbach’s fiery retelling of the myth of Icarus, or the shadows, secrets and burning truths of Shostakovich’s powerful First Violin Concerto. Rosanne Philippens is the soloist today: a violinist who believes that every note should convey emotion, and forge a connection.

BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra: Tchaikovsky’s Fifth Symphony

Scotland’s most esteemed violinist – the peerless Nicola Benedetti – joins SCO Principal Conductor Maxim Emelyanychev for an end-of-Season celebration full of romance and adventure.

SCO Benedetti plays Brahms

Immerse yourself in the epic grandeur of Wagner's Ring Symphony with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra (RSNO) for a transcendent musical experience. This special event, taking place on Friday, May 16, and Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Usher Hall, Edinburgh, and Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, respectively, promises an unforgettable evening under the baton of the esteemed conductor Thomas Søndergård.

The evening begins with Handel's enchanting Water Music Suite No.3, setting the stage for a night of majestic compositions. The program also features the world premiere of "Hidden Polyphony" by Neil Tòmas Smith, a groundbreaking commission by RSNO & Dunedin Consort, showcasing the innovative fusion of period instruments with the full orchestral might of the RSNO.

The highlight of the night is Wagner arr de Vlieger's "The Ring, An Orchestral Adventure," a compelling distillation of Wagner’s monumental Ring cycle into just over an hour of music. This orchestral adventure captures the essence of the original masterpiece, offering audiences the majesty, power, and drama of Wagner's epic in a more accessible format.

Joining the RSNO for this spectacular event is the Dunedin Consort, along with soprano soloist Anna Dennis, adding a layer of vocal beauty to the evening's repertoire. This concert is dedicated to Dr. Robert Lillie, in recognition of his generous support of the RSNO Foundation.

Tickets are available for both Edinburgh and Glasgow performances, with a range of pricing options to suit all attendees. Special discounts are available for under 18s, under 26s, mature students, unemployed patrons, patrons with disabilities, and groups, ensuring everyone has the opportunity to experience this magnificent orchestral journey.

Don't miss this chance to witness the power and beauty of Wagner's Ring Symphony, brought to life by the Royal Scottish National Orchestra and a talented ensemble of musicians and soloists. Book your tickets now for an evening of musical splendor.

Wagner’s Ring Symphony

Smouldering, sultry, seductive: Buenos Aires is the city where passions catch fire and music teases the senses. Immerse yourself in its vibrant sensuality with the esteemed orchestra of Buenos Aires’s historic opera house, South America’s grandest – and the scorching emotions of Argentinian tango composer Astor Piazzolla.

Sunday Classics 2024-2025 - Buenos Aires Symphony Orchestra of Colón Opera

‘For me, personally, music has been a way to inspire others,’ says Randall Goosby – and that’s just one reason why we’re delighted to have this young American violinist as Artist in Residence. He’s the perfect performer for Mendelssohn’s magical Violin Concerto. Thomas Søndergård opens with Debussy’s sensuous Prélude and brings all his energy to the First Symphony by Lera Auerbach – a tale of love, death and impossible dreams, from a composer who believes that ‘every concert is about being transformed.’

RSNO Season 24-25: Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto

Officially, Shostakovich based his massive Eleventh Symphony on the Russian revolution of 1905, but this blockbuster of a symphony is still grippingly relevant today. As we pay tribute to the 50th anniversary of Shostakovich’s death, Thomas Søndergård brings our Concert Season to a close in truly epic style: opening with the jubilant trumpets of the Festive Overture and joining Daniel Müller-Schott (‘Fearless’ – The New York Times) in a Cello Concerto that feels more like a Cold War thriller. It doesn’t get more powerful than this.

RSNO Season 24-25: Season Finale - Spectacular Shostakovich

Join the Royal Scottish National Orchestra for a spectacular tribute to Shostakovich, marking the 50th anniversary of the composer's death with a powerful concert series. Under the baton of esteemed conductor Thomas Søndergård, and featuring the fearless cellist Daniel Müller-Schott, this event promises an unforgettable musical journey.

The concert repertoire includes Shostakovich's Festive Overture, the intense Cello Concerto No. 2, and the monumental Symphony No. 11 "The Year 1905", a piece as relevant today as it was at its premiere. Experience the jubilant trumpets of the Festive Overture and the Cold War thriller-like Cello Concerto in what promises to be a powerful tribute to one of the 20th century's most influential composers.

This epic season finale will take place at the Usher Hall, Edinburgh, on Friday, June 6, 2025, at 7.30pm, and at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow, on Saturday, June 7, 2025, at 7.30pm. Tickets are available in various price ranges, with discounts for under 18s, under 26s, mature students, unemployed patrons, patrons with disabilities, and groups.

Don't miss this opportunity to witness the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, led by Thomas Søndergård and featuring Daniel Müller-Schott, in a powerful performance that pays homage to Shostakovich's legacy. Book your tickets now for a musical experience that promises to be both gripping and relevant.

Orchestral events in Edinburgh

Sunday Classics 2024-2025...

Usher Hall

BBC Scottish Symphony Orc...

Usher Hall

The Rock Orchestra by Can...

Edinburgh Playhouse

RSNO Season 24-25: Tchaik...

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RSNO Season 24-25: Mahler...

Usher Hall

Mahler Nine

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Top Gun: Maverick in Conc...

Royal Scottish National Orchestra

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Usher Hall

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Usher Hall

RSNO Season 24-25: Rachma...

Usher Hall

Clyne & Rachmaninov: Danc...

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RSNO Season 24-25: Mozart...

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RSNO Season 24-25: night-...

Usher Hall

BBC Scottish Symphony Orc...

Usher Hall

SCO Benedetti plays Brahm...

Usher Hall

Wagner’s Ring Symphony

Royal Scottish National Orchestra

Sunday Classics 2024-2025...

Usher Hall

RSNO Season 24-25: Mendel...

Usher Hall

RSNO Season 24-25: Season...

Usher Hall

Spectacular Shostakovich

Royal Scottish National Orchestra