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FAQ
Here are the answers to some of your FAQs. If you
still have any questions about the ensemble, please use the Contact
Us page.
Who?
What kind of music do they play?
Where do they perform?
Have they ever been on TV?
My child enjoys music but wouldn't sit through a whole
concert, is there anything for them?
Does the Scottish Ensemble do any work in schools?
Can I buy a recording of the Scottish Ensemble?
Who funds the work of the Scottish Ensemble?
Who?
The Scottish Ensemble is a dynamic group of twelve string soloists, formed from some of the most highly respected classical musicians in Europe, with outstanding violinist Jonathan Morton as Artistic Director/leader.
What kind of music do they play?
Originally formed in 1969 as the Scottish Baroque Ensemble by the violinist Leonard Friedman, the Scottish Ensemble's extensive repertoire spans from the Baroque to the present day including commissioned works from many British composers and combines established masterpieces for strings with innovative programme ideas, regularly featuring guest soloists. topˆ
Where do they perform?
Based in Glasgow, the Scottish Ensemble undertakes a busy schedule of some 50 concerts a year throughout Scotland and the UK, with main Concert Series tours to Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness and Perth. Spearheading classical music provision, the Scottish Ensemble travels the length and breadth of the country, appearing in all major towns and cities, as well as in more remote areas.
The Scottish Ensemble receives invitations to perform all over the UK and internationally, and is an ambassador for Scottish music. The Scottish Ensemble made its debut at the Aldeburgh Festival in June 2005, and recent and forthcoming engagements include the BBC Proms at the Royal Albert Hall, the Shanghai Spring International Festival, the MDR Sommerfest in Germany, Wigmore Hall, and the the City of London, Cheltenham, Warwick, Lichfield and Brinkburn Festivals. September 2004 saw the Scottish Ensemble perform at the Festival de Beaulieu-Sur-Mer, France as part of the Scottish Executive’s Entente Cordiale centenary celebrations. The group were invited back to France to perform Eight Seasons in Brittany in October 2005. topˆ
Have they ever been on TV?
The group undertakes varied radio and television broadcasts, and
makes regular live recordings for BBC Radio 3. The group's film
work includes the 1999 release Orphans and the award-winning film
and album of Follow the Moonstone, a collaboration between the Norwegian
composer, Henning Sommero and one of Shetland's greatest fiddle players,
Aly Bain. topˆ
My child enjoys music but they wouldn't sit through
a whole concert, is there anything for them?
The Scottish Ensemble is keen to aid young peoples' appreciation of music and has an active education programme. Last year the Scottish Ensemble embarked on its most adventurous project to date – Carnival 2004, based on Saint-Saëns’ much loved Carnival of the Animals. This SAC Lottery-funded project spanned Scotland, and the resulting interactive concerts toured to Perth Festival, Dumfries & Galloway Arts Festival, Ullapool and Aboyne, involving over 1500 young people.
We are currently running a project funded by the Scottish Youth Music Initiative with the aim of providing enhanced music experiences for young string players. In collaboration with The National Youth Orchestras of Scotland, we are arranging a series of workshops around the country, culminating in a professional tour, involving 13 NYOS musicians – The Protecting Veil December 2005.
Other projects have included the Scottish Ensemble’s unique presentation of the popular children's classic Peter and the Wolf as well as new works written especially for audiences of children by Fraser Trainer called A Family Guide to House Monsters, based on the picture book of the same name by Stanislav Marijanovic and Making Friends with Frankenstein. These new pieces were premiered by the Ensemble at the Queen's Hall, Edinburgh in 2001 and 2002 as part of the Queen's Hall Education Programme. topˆ
Contact us if you want any more information about our work and how your child can get involved.
Does the Scottish Ensemble do any work in schools?
Under the direction of award-winning Education Director, Paul Rissmann, the Scottish Ensemble's Education work is reaching new heights with tailor-made interactive workshops and concerts for schools and community groups happening all over Scotland. Please contact us for more information. topˆ
Can I buy a recording of the Scottish Ensemble?
The Scottish Ensemble records with Glasgow-based Linn Records. www.linnrecords.com. The latest release, of works by Benjamin Britten, recorded with tenor Toby Spence and horn player Martin Owen, has received universal acclaim. You can listen to extracts online, and read some of the reviews.
The Scottish Ensemble’s 1998 CD Tears of the Angels featuring commissioned works by John Tavener has sold over 13,000 copies world-wide and received outstanding critical acclaim. In 2000 the Ensemble released a recording featuring three works by Shostakovich (with John Wallace and Sophia Rahman) which was voted CD of the week by the Daily Telegraph. The Scottish Enseble’s recording of June 2003 celebrates arrangements by Russian Maestro Rudolf Barshai, including Shostakovich Symphony for Strings Op 118a and Ravel’s string quartet, arranged especially for the Scottish Ensemble. Recordings on CD are available from the Scottish Ensemble Office and you can listen online to some samples here. You can contact the office at office@scottishensemble.co.uk . topˆ
Who funds the work of the Scottish Ensemble?
The Scottish Ensemble receives core funding from the Scottish Arts Council, which has recently awarded the group Foundation Funding status. The group also receives core funding in its home city from Glasgow City Council.
Public funds however only account for 35% of the Scottish Ensemble’s income and an additional £100,000 has to be raised each year in addition to other earnings.
For full details of current funding please click here.
For more information about supporting the Scottish Ensemble, please click here.
If you would like to find out more about any aspect of our work, do contact us.
We'd love to hear from you.
Elizabeth Andrews
Chief Executive Tel 0141 332 4747
office@scottishensemble.co.uk
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