Fanfare for the orchestra
They barely merited a mention in the Radio Times when they played their first concert, never mind a fanfare.
But the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Scottish Symphony Orchestra (SSO) made up for that oversight last night, with a concert to mark their 75th anniversary, full of fanfares, standing ovations and even a birthday singsong!
Originally set up by the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ as one of a raft of orchestras to record music for the voracious public appetite for live recordings, the SSO has since transformed into a highly respected symphony orchestra.
That's partly down to the fact it consistently works with modern composers, eagerly taking on complex new music.
Last night's concert introduced a new work by young scots composer Helen Grime.
But it's also down to their sheer resilience.
This orchestra grew out of the recession of the 1930s.
Professional musicians grateful to have the work and aware it wasn't guaranteed.
It's been on the brink of closure several times, including in 1980 when it was the largest of five ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ orchestras earmarked for closure.
You only have to look at the decision to make the orchestra of Scottish Opera part-time to realise the issue hasn't gone away.
Nor are these times any more certain for live music.
But last night was a chance to celebrate the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ SSO's achievements as well as its survival.
As well as the Grime's premiere, there was a passionate performance of Beethoven's violin concerto by Nicola Benedetti -who first appeared with the orchestra in 2004 when she won Young Musician of the Year.
Walton's exuberant Symphony Number One formed the mainstay of the second half, broadcast live on TV and radio - just like the old days.
There was a rousing chorus of happy birthday before the final - sadly unbroadcast - performance of two pieces by Ian Whyte, the founding father of the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ SSO - who conducted that first concert at lunchtime on 3 December 1935.
Speaking earlier, Nicola Benedetti described her involvement in the concert as "an absolute privilege".
As a mere member of the audience, it felt like a similar honour and I hope for audiences watching and listening at home, it had the same impact.
Not London’s South Bank, but the south bank of the River Clyde in Glasgow - every bit as lively in cultural terms as its namesake. I’m Pauline McLean, ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Scotland’s arts correspondent, and I’ll be blogging here about arts events and issues happening across the country.
Comment number 1.
At 4th Dec 2010, The die is cast wrote:An ensemble of real note, with a proud history.
When you look at the petty squabbling in the political blogs on this site compared with the 'nil response' when real culture is being considered, it really makes you want to weep about relative priorities in Scotland.
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Comment number 2.
At 5th Dec 2010, tamO wrote:i watched the live broadcast, to be honest it was to long for me. the mix of live music and history could have been split into two programs,but that said i enjoyed the music. i am not going to pretend to know anything about the music. "petty squabbling in the political blogs on this site"?, sorry you don't get the petty point of the squabbling, this is the first time i have seen this orchestra on tv that's one of themes of the squabbling, we have a public broadcaster the so called bbc Scotland that run's away from all things scottish. there is a lot of music in Scotland, i have been told that Glasgow has had a name for bands. well you would not know that from the bbc in Scotland, the traditional and folk music is being packaged when it gets on tv, in this sessions style taking Scottish people out of it, making it some remote speciality.
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Comment number 3.
At 5th Dec 2010, Michty Me wrote:The SSO is precisely what makes the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ licence fee worth paying - it is clearly not something which would be likely to be capable of self-financing through good times and bad, but it is undeniably worth retaining.
For all that tamO decries a move away from Scottishness within ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Scotland, there are real gems that get too rare airings to the public at large (but all the more precious for that) but I am proud that a fraction of a penny of my licence fee helps to keep the BBO in existence.
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Comment number 4.
At 10th Dec 2010, U14717142 wrote:This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.
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