Scottish Ensemble

Scottish Ensemble

The Scottish Ensemble is a dynamic group of twelve string soloists, formed from some of the most highly respected classical musicians in Europe.  The group performs without a conductor, led from the violin by its Artistic Director, Jonathan Morton.  The Scottish Ensemble regularly commissions new work, plays rare and unusual pieces, and brings characteristic style and spirit to more well-known music.

The Ensemble receives invitations to perform all over the UK and internationally, and is an important musical ambassador for Scotland.  Recent and forthcoming engagements include the Edinburgh International Festival; St Magnus Festival, Orkney; Aldeburgh Festival; BBC Proms; Shanghai Spring International Festival; MDR Sommerfest in Germany, and the City of London Festival.

Performing some 50 concerts a year, the Scottish Ensemble is committed to Scotland and Scottish audiences.  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 is passionately committed to the communities in which it performs, and creates learning and participation opportunities for people of all ages and abilities.  Education and outreach is central to the work of the Ensemble, and our award-winning Education Director, Paul Rissmann, designs an acclaimed programme of tailor-made creative workshops and concerts for schools and community groups throughout Scotland.  In summer 2006, the Scottish Ensemble undertook a tour of Argyll & Bute with Carnival, a programme of workshops and performance for primary schools, and in July 2007 will give schools and family concerts at the Wigmore Hall featuring Fraser Trainer's House Monsters.

Scottish Ensemble concerts are regularly broadcast on BBC Radio 3 and Radio Scotland, and the group received an award from Classic FM for its "outstanding contribution to classical music." The latest CD release for Linn Records features works by Benjamin Britten with tenor Toby Spence, and has received outstanding critical acclaim both in the UK and abroad.

"a revelation" The Guardian