This holiday season, let the Royal Scottish National Orchestra (RSNO) whisk you away on a journey of music and wonder. From the festive delights of the 'RSNO Christmas Concert featuring The Snowman' to the evocative 'The Lost Words and Ethan Loch Plays Gershwin,' RSNO promises a series of unforgettable performances. With events ranging from family-friendly sing-alongs to profound choral masterpieces, these concerts bring together celebrated composers, talented artists, and the enchanting beauty of music. Join us as we explore the magic of these must-see events this December and March.

A Symphony of Festive Cheer and Artistic Splendor with the RSNO

If you caught Ethan Loch’s performance with the RSNO last Season or in the final of BBC Young Musician 2022, you’ll already know that there’s something magical about this young Scottish pianist. And if you didn’t, what better way to discover him than in Gershwin’s fabulous Rhapsody in Blue? The enchantment doesn’t stop there, as Music Director Thomas Søndergård conjures up the wizardry of The Sorcerer’s Apprentice and introduces the dancing crockery and singing squirrels of Ravel’s ravishing mini-opera. Sounds extraordinary? Just wait until you hear it. 

Ethan Loch Plays Gershwin

Glasgow Royal Concert Hall

Usher Hall, Edinburgh

‘We find it hard to love what we cannot give a name to,’ says Robert Macfarlane, author of The Lost Words. ‘And names, good names, well used can help us see and they help us care.’ The book has become a bestseller. Now British composer James Burton has set its message to music. It’s a tuneful celebration of a vanishing natural world, created for young voices and sung today by the RSNO’s inspirational Youth Chorus. Discover a newly minted classic this lunchtime. 

The Lost Words

Join the RSNO this December for a special feast of Christmas cheer! This family-friendly concert is packed full of your favourite sing-along carols and festive melodies, including Consider the Penguin and Schneewalzer. Plus, don’t miss the enchanting film The Snowman shown on the big screen, accompanied by the Orchestra and narrated by our star guest, comedian Josie Long. It’s the perfect start to your Christmas! 

RSNO Christmas Concert featuring The Snowman

Music Hall, Aberdeen

Caird Hall

Passion, drink and roasted swans – choral music isn’t meant to be this much fun! But the medieval monks who wrote the words to Carmina Burana didn’t seem to have been that bothered. Expect great tunes, unstoppable rhythms and some thoroughly bad behavior from Orff’s outrageous piece. Plus, we begin the evening with a playful cello concerto featuring the nonsense verse of Edward Lear, reimagined by Elena Langer and RSNO Principal Cellist Pei-Jee Ng.

RSNO Season 24-25: Carmina Burana

Usher Hall

Experience the profound beauty of Bach's St Matthew Passion like never before at the Edinburgh International Festival. This exceptional performance, led by the Royal Scottish National Orchestra under the baton of Ryan Wigglesworth, showcases Felix Mendelssohn's transformative arrangement of Bach's masterpiece. Set to take place at Usher Hall, Edinburgh, on Sunday, 4th August 2024, at 3:00 pm, this concert promises to be a historic event that revisits and celebrates the monumental impact Mendelssohn had on Bach's revival in the 19th century.

The concert will feature an impressive lineup of soloists, including Elizabeth Watts (Soprano), Dame Sarah Connolly (Alto), Laurence Kilsby (Tenor), James Atkinson (Bass), Ed Lyon (Evangelist), and Neal Davies (Christus), alongside the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, the Edinburgh Festival Chorus, and the RSNO Youth Chorus. Together, they will bring to life the urgent narrative and potent emotions of the Passion story, from Christ’s capture to his trial and crucifixion.

This rendition of St Matthew Passion not only highlights Mendelssohn's role in the Bach revival but also offers audiences a chance to immerse themselves in the dramatic and emotional depth of the work. Tickets start from £22.50, making this a must-attend event for classical music enthusiasts and those looking to experience the power of Bach's music, reimagined by Mendelssohn's genius.

Don't miss this opportunity to be part of a musical journey that bridges history and emotion, set against the backdrop of one of the world's most prestigious festivals. Book your tickets now for an unforgettable afternoon at Usher Hall.

RSNO Youth Chorus

27 - 28 Mar, 2026

Ethan Loch Plays Gershwin

Mar 22, 2026

The Lost Words

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RSNO Youth Chorus