...introducing the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Scottish Symphony Club
| 15:40 UK time, Wednesday, 21 October 2009
Hello, it's David here from the second violins. Firstly, apologies for my absence from the SSO Blog for a little while...I'll try not to leave it so long next time.
We've had the most amazing/intense/inspiring fortnight with , our new Principal Conductor. Wow, just wow. What a start! For me, playing Ravel's complete Daphnis et Chloé was the highlight. I'd never played the whole piece before, only the second orchestral suite that Ravel extracted. Playing the famous depiction of sunrise in its true context, with full chorus (in this case the Edinburgh Festival Chorus on particularly fine form) made for such a magical climax, it wasn't just spine-tingling - it set every atom in the hall abuzz. I hope I don't play Daphnis too many times, I'd hate to get used to that feeling. There are a few things in life that I would rather enjoy every few years - the Jerome Robbins , for one...also the scallop risotto at . Daphnis went straight to the top of my list after last week.
Have you heard about the ? No? Well...let me enlighten you. The is an independent supporters' organisation for the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ SSO. I am the Orchestra's representative on the small committee that runs the Club and I think it's a Club worth shouting about.
The Club has been supporting the SSO since 1980 and in that time have provided concert dresses for the ladies (any readers remember those?), music folders, on-stage lighting, bookshelves and Christmas decorations for the orchestra green room and have sponsored a CD (Vänskä/Nielsen 1 & 6/BIS). Most recently we have commissioned the Scottish composer to write a suite of short pieces for the orchestra to use as encores on tour.
We've just launched our website, - so, stop by some time! On our web pages you'll be able to find out more about the of the Club, and .
6 or 7 times per year, we host featuring players from the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ SSO, held in either in the west end of Glasgow or in the Recital Room in the . These concerts are always an excellent chance to hear members of the Orchestra performing in a chamber music context. It's impossible to pick out highlights as there have been so many fantastic evenings, but in the last few months alone we have been treated to memorable concerts from Heather Corbett, Yann Ghiro and the Lawson Quartet, and John Van Lierop. Coming up, on Monday 16 November, we have Merchant Winds - a wind quintet from the SSO - plus friends, in a recital of wind octet repertoire. Don't miss it!
As a Club, we are continually looking for new ways to support the work of the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ SSO. All are welcome, whether you live locally and are able to attend our events, or wish to support the Orchestra from afar. Are you an SSO supporter? Why not think about joining the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Scottish Symphony Club? Visit to find out more or contact us at info@bbcscottishsymphonyclub.com.
Finally, don't forget to make a note in your diary of our next Evening Concert, held at (69 Hyndland Road, Glasgow, G12 9UX) at 7.30pm: Merchant Winds Octet performing music by Mozart as well as riotous Mozart-tribute Ein Musikalisches Snookerspiel. Tickets (including interval refreshments) are available on the door for £5, £3.50 for Club members and £2 for students. Hope to see you there!
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