Scottish Ensemble

The Scottish Ensemble is one of Scotland's finest string ensembles, formed from some of the most highly respected string players in Europe. [http://living.scotsman.com/features/So-what39s-the-catch.3734322.jp] Playing standing in a semi-circle and without a conductor, it is led from the violin by Artistic Director, Jonathan Morton.

Originally formed in 1969 as the Scottish Baroque Ensemble, by the violinist Leonard Friedman, the Ensemble’s extensive repertoire spans from the Baroque to the present day. The Ensemble regularly commissions new work [http://music.guardian.co.uk/live/story/0,,2255061,00.html] and has an enviable reputation for innovative programming, performing rare and unusual pieces alongside more well-known music. Composers who have written for the Scottish Ensemble include John Tavener, David Horne, John Woolrich, Craig Armstrong and Steve Martland.

As one of Scotland’s flagship performing groups, the Scottish Ensemble receives invitations to perform throughout the UK and internationally. In recent seasons the Ensemble has toured to China (Shanghai Spring International Festival), Germany and France. In the UK, it performs regularly at Wigmore Hall in London, and at a wide range of festivals including the BBC Proms [http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2007/04_april/25/proms_extras.shtml] ; City of London Festival; Aldeburgh Festival; Edinburgh International Festival; and the St Magnus Festival, Orkney. Concerts are regularly broadcast on BBC Radio 3 and BBC Radio Scotland, and there is an ever-growing collection of recordings available.

The Scottish Ensemble is committed to Scotland and its audiences, and from its Glasgow base performs some 50 concerts a year. It travels the length and breadth of Scotland, appearing in all major towns and cities, as well as in more remote areas. Each year, the Scottish Ensemble promotes a 30-concert series in Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness and Perth, and each summer promotes concerts in venues across the Highlands and Islands of Scotland.