Hyperion Records

The Scottish Chamber Orchestra (SCO) was formed in 1974 with a commitment to serve the Scottish community, and is amongst Scotland’s foremost cultural ambassadors. One of Scotland’s five National Performing Arts Companies, it is internationally recognised as one of the finest chamber orchestras in the world.

The Orchestra performs throughout Scotland, including annual tours of the Highlands and Islands and South of Scotland, and appears regularly at the Edinburgh, East Neuk, St Magnus and Aldeburgh Festivals and the BBC Proms. Its busy international touring schedule, supported by the Scottish Government, has recently included many European countries as well as India and the USA.

The SCO’s long-standing relationship with its Conductor Laureate, the late Sir Charles Mackerras, resulted in many exceptional performances and recordings, including two multi award-winning discs of Mozart symphonies.

The SCO works regularly with many eminent guest conductors including Conductor Emeritus Joseph Swensen, Richard Egarr, Olari Elts, Andrew Manze, John Storgårds, Thierry Fischer, Louis Langrée, Oliver Knussen and Nicholas McGegan; regular soloist/directors include Christian Zacharias, Piotr Anderszewski and Alexander Janiczek.

The Orchestra has commissioned more than a hundred new works, including pieces by Composer Laureate Sir Peter Maxwell Davies, Martin Suckling, Mark-Anthony Turnage, Judith Weir, Sally Beamish, Karin Rehnqvist, Lyell Cresswell, Hafliði Hallgrímsson, Einojuhani Rautavaara, Stuart MacRae and the late Edward Harper.

The SCO has led the way in music education with a unique programme of projects. SCO Connect provides workshops for children and adults across Scotland and has attracted interest and invitations from overseas. The Orchestra broadcasts regularly and has a discography now exceeding 150 recordings.

The Scottish Chamber Orchestra receives funding from the Scottish Government.