Royal Scottish National Orchestra

History

Formed in 1843 to accompany the Glasgow Choral Union (today known as the RSNO Chorus) and recognised formally in 1891 as the Scottish Orchestra. For four years in 1900–04, the composer Gustav Holst served in the orchestra as a trombonist

Its longest serving conductor was Sir Alexander Gibson under whose baton the orchestra became known for its interpretations of Scandinavian composers, notably Jean Sibelius and Carl Nielsen. This was consolidated in the tenure of Neeme Järvi, who also led the orchestra through its first complete Gustav Mahler cycle. The second Scot to lead the orchestra, Bryden Thomson, maintained the Nordic link with a cycle of Nielsen symphonies.

Venues

The RSNO's base is at the purpose-built RSNO Centre. From 1977 to 2015 the RSNO's base was at Henry Wood Hall in Glasgow and this space was also used as its recording venue. The RSNO also performs throughout Scotland, at such venues as the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, Usher Hall (Edinburgh), Caird Hall (Dundee), Aberdeen Music Hall, Perth Concert Hall and Eden Court Inverness.

Recordings

The orchestra had a long-standing recording contract with Chandos Records in the 1980s and 1990s which has recently been re-established. Today, it chiefly records for Naxos Records, most notably in a cycle of Anton Bruckner symphonies with the late Georg Tintner, cycles of Arnold Bax symphonies with David Lloyd-Jones, and several recordings of American works (including the complete orchestral works of Samuel Barber) conducted by Marin Alsop, who was the RSNO's principal guest conductor from 2000 to 2003. In May 2007, the RSNO made their first recordings with Stéphane Denève, of music of Albert Roussel, for Naxos. The first recording received the Diapason d'Or de l'année for Symphonic Music. The second disc in the series was released in 2008.

RSNO Chorus

The RSNO Chorus evolved from a choir formed in 1843 to sing the first full performance of Handel's Messiah in Scotland, in April 1844. The RSNO Chorus performs in around six different programmes in up to twenty concerts across Scotland with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra each year in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Dundee. In addition to its commitment to the RSNO, the Chorus performs independently and has toured worldwide. The current chorus director is Gregory Batsleer.

RSNO Junior Chorus

The RSNO Junior Chorus was formed in 1978 by Jean Kidd. Since 1994 it has been directed by RSNO Junior Chorus Director, Christopher Bell. The RSNO Junior Chorus has a membership of around 400 singers, aged from eight to eighteen. The members are taught to sing using the Zoltán Kodály method of training.

Learning and Engagement

The RSNO also does a variety of learning and engagement activities with local communities across Scotland, working with all ages and abilities ranging from schools and nursery concerts, to community workshops and annual residencies.

Artistic Team

The RSNO's music director from 2005-2012 was Stéphane Denève. In April 2007, his contract was initially extended through 2011, and in March 2010, further extended 1 year through the 2011–2012 season, after which time his tenure is scheduled to conclude. In January 2011, the RSNO announced the appointment of Peter Oundjian as its next music director, as of the 2012–2013 season, with an initial contract of 4 years. Past principal guest conductors, in addition to Alsop, have included Garry Walker (2003–2007). In October 2011, Thomas Søndergård was named the RSNO's next principal guest conductor, as of the 2012–2013 season, with an initial contract of 3 years for 3 programmes per year. The RSNO's current assistant conductor is Holly Mathieson, since September 2016.