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The '''BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra''' (BBC SSO) is a broadcasting [[symphony orchestra]] based in [[Glasgow]], Scotland. One of five full-time orchestras maintained by the British Broadcasting Corporation ([[BBC]]), it is the oldest full-time professional orchestra in Scotland. The BBC SSO takes live music to towns and cities across Scotland every season, performs around Europe, and in recent years has toured in China, the USA and South America. It appears annually in Britain's most prestigious events including the [[BBC Proms]] and [[Edinburgh International Festival]], and performs at such festivals as the [[Cheltenham Festival|Cheltenham]], Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival and the St.Magnus Festival in Orkney. Broadcasting is still its primary duty, and all of its performances can be heard on the BBC's radio and television services.
{{Infobox orchestra
| name = BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra
| type = Orchestra
| short_name = BBC SSO
| image = BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra.png
| caption = The BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra's logo
| alt =
| founded = 1935 ({{years ago|1935}} years ago)
| location = Glasgow, Scotland
| concert_hall = [[Glasgow City Halls]]
| principal_conductor = [[Ryan Wigglesworth]]
| music_director =
| website = {{URL|www.bbc.co.uk/bbcsso}}
}}

The '''BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra''' ('''BBC SSO''') is a Scottish broadcasting [[symphony orchestra]] based in [[Glasgow]]. One of five full-time orchestras maintained by the British Broadcasting Corporation ([[BBC]]), it is the oldest full-time professional [[radio orchestra]] in Scotland. The orchestra is based at City Halls in Glasgow.<ref>{{cite news | author=George Hall | title=Look north for acoustic paradise | url=http://arts.guardian.co.uk/reviews/observer/story/0,,1697218,00.html | work=The Guardian|location=London | date=29 January 2006 | access-date=2007-04-03}}</ref>


==History==
==History==
The BBC opened its Edinburgh studio in 1930, and decided to form its own full-time Scottish orchestra to complement BBC orchestras already established in London, Manchester and Wales. The BBC Scottish Orchestra was established as Scotland's first full-time orchestra on 1 December 1935 by the BBC's first head of music in Scotland, composer and conductor [[Ian Whyte (conductor)|Ian Whyte]].
The BBC opened its Edinburgh studio in 1930, and decided to form its own full-time Scottish orchestra to complement BBC orchestras already established in London, Manchester and Wales. The BBC Scottish Orchestra was established as Scotland's first full-time orchestra on 1 December 1935 by the BBC's first head of music in Scotland, composer and conductor [[Ian Whyte (conductor)|Ian Whyte]].


In 1938, the orchestra moved into its purpose built home at Studio One, in the newly opened Glasgow Studios, at Broadcasting House in Queen Margaret Drive. The newly formed Scottish Variety Orchestra (which became the [[BBC Scottish Radio Orchestra]] in 1967) occupied Studio Two.
In 1938, the orchestra moved into its purpose-built home at Studio One, in the newly opened Glasgow Studios, at Broadcasting House in Queen Margaret Drive. The newly formed Scottish Variety Orchestra (which became the [[BBC Scottish Radio Orchestra]] in 1967) occupied Studio Two.


As one of the BBC's many ensembles, the orchestra led a busy though sheltered life, broadcasting live at least five times a week from its studio and only occasionally allowed out. Throughout the war, the orchestra fulfilled 30 hours of broadcasts per week on the BBC Home and World Services. This meant live performances at any time of day or night, often broadcasting live to Latin America at half past one in the morning.
As one of the BBC's many ensembles, the orchestra led a busy though sheltered life, broadcasting live at least five times a week from its studio and only occasionally allowed out. Throughout the war, the orchestra fulfilled 30 hours of broadcasts per week on the BBC Home and World Services. This meant live performances at any time of day or night, often broadcasting live to Latin America at half past one in the morning.


By the end of the war, during which the orchestra had been expanded in numbers, Whyte had brought it to a standard considered good enough for the newly established [[Edinburgh Festival]], at which it found itself propelled into the company of the Vienna and New York Philharmonics, appearing with soloists like Menuhin, Milstein and Schnabel. Since 1948, the BBC SSO has performed at the Festival on no less than 86 occasions.
By the end of the war, during which the orchestra had been expanded in numbers, Whyte had brought it to a standard considered good enough for the newly established [[Edinburgh Festival]], at which the orchestra has appeared regularly since 1948.


Through the 1950s and 1960s, live studio broadcasting still dominated the orchestra's schedule, and there was little time in its schedule for public performances. [[Norman Del Mar]]'s arrival as Principal Conductor in 1960 began to change that situation. He led the BBC Scottish Orchestra's first visit to The Proms in 1962, and through his efforts the orchestra was further expanded, necessitating a change of its title to "BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra" the following year. Del Mar's earliest projects included the UK premiere of [[Stockhausen]]'s ''Gruppen'', performed jointly in Glasgow with the Scottish National Orchestra, and it was his passion for contemporary music that laid the foundation for the BBC SSO's long-standing commitment to new work. Then, as now, the orchestra's indispensable support for Scottish composers found an important showcase in The Proms, the 1990 Premiere of [[James MacMillan]]'s [[The Confession of Isobel Gowdie]] being perhaps the most celebrated example.
Through the 1950s and 1960s, live studio broadcasting still dominated the orchestra's schedule, and there was little time in its schedule for public performances. This situation changed after [[Norman Del Mar]]'s advent as Principal Conductor in 1960. He led the BBC Scottish Orchestra's first visit to The Proms in 1962, and through his efforts the orchestra was further expanded, which led to a change of its title to the "BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra" the following year. Del Mar's earliest projects included the UK premiere of [[Stockhausen]]'s ''[[Gruppen]]'', performed jointly in Glasgow with the Scottish National Orchestra, and it was his interest in contemporary music that laid the foundation for the BBC SSO's long-standing commitment to new work. The BBC SSO has continued to perform the work of Scottish composers in Scotland and at The Proms, such as the 1990 Premiere of [[James MacMillan]]'s ''[[The Confession of Isobel Gowdie]]''.


The last twenty years has seen the gradual emergence of the BBC SSO as a fully fledged 'public' orchestra, with foreign touring, commercial recordings and concerts all over the world consolidating its position as one of the cornerstones of Scottish musical life. It has seen steady artistic growth, especially under its most recent chief conductors: [[Jerzy Maksymiuk]], [[Osmo Vänskä]], [[Ilan Volkov]] and now [[Donald Runnicles]].
The last twenty years has seen the gradual emergence of the BBC SSO as a fully fledged 'public' orchestra, with foreign touring, commercial recordings and concerts all over the world consolidating its position as one of the cornerstones of Scottish musical life. The BBC SSO appears annually in such festivals as the [[BBC Proms]], the [[Edinburgh International Festival]], the [[Cheltenham Festival|Cheltenham]], [[Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival]] and the [[St Magnus Festival]] in Orkney. At the beginning of January 2006, the BBC SSO moved from Broadcasting House, Glasgow to the fully refurbished City Halls in Glasgow.


From 2003 to 2009, the orchestra's Chief Conductor was [[Israel]]i-born [[Ilan Volkov]], the youngest-ever chief conductor of any BBC orchestra.<ref>Tim Cornwell, "Top conductor to leave Scottish Symphony Orchestra" ''The Scotsman'', 2007-09-18.</ref> In October 2007, the orchestra announced the appointment of Edinburgh born [[Donald Runnicles]] as its Chief Conductor in September 2009.<ref>Tim Cornwell, "Conductor back after 18 years to lead BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra". ''The Scotsman'', 2007-10-02.</ref><ref>{{cite news | author=Matthew Westphal | title=Homecoming: Donald Runnicles to Succeed Ilan Volkov at BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra | url=http://www.playbillarts.com/news/article/7130.html | work=Playbill Arts | date=1 October 2007 | access-date=2008-09-14}}</ref> Volkov took the title of principal guest conductor BBC SSO as of the 2009–2010 season, in parallel with the advent of Runnicles as chief conductor.<ref>{{cite news | author=Michael Tumelty | title=Working with perfect harmony | url=http://www.theherald.co.uk/search/display.var.2474080.0.working_with_perfect_harmony.php | work=The Herald | date=10 December 2008 | access-date=2008-12-11}}</ref> In September 2011, the BBC SSO announced the extension of Runnicles' contract as chief conductor through 2015.<ref>{{cite press release | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/orchestras/bbcsso/about/news/donald_runnicles_extends_contract.shtml | title=Donald Runnicles extends his contract with the BBC SSO | publisher=BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra | date=September 2011 | access-date=2011-10-01}}</ref> In October 2014, the BBC SSO reported the scheduled conclusion of Runnicles' tenure as chief conductor in September 2016, at which time he took the title of conductor emeritus with the orchestra.<ref>{{cite press release | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2014/bbcsso-runnicles-emeritus | title=Donald Runnicles to become BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra's Conductor Emeritus | publisher=BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra | date=22 October 2014 | access-date=25 October 2014}}</ref>
At the beginning of January 2006 the BBC SSO moved from Broadcasting House, Glasgow - its base for nearly 70 years - to the fully refurbished [[Gewandhaus]]-like City Halls in Glasgow, which is now the orchestra's permanent, administrative, performance and recording home. Famed for its fine acoustic, City Halls is being developed as a major centre for music performance and education.<ref>{{cite news | author=George Hall | title=Look north for acoustic paradise | url=http://arts.guardian.co.uk/reviews/observer/story/0,,1697218,00.html | work=The Guardian | date=29 January 2006 | accessdate=2007-04-03}}</ref>


From 2003 to 2009, the orchestra's Chief Conductor was [[Israel]]i-born [[Ilan Volkov]], the youngest-ever chief conductor of any BBC orchestra.<ref>Tim Cornwell, "Top conductor to leave Scottish Symphony Orchestra" ''The Scotsman'', 2007-09-18.</ref> In October 2007, the orchestra announced the appointment of Edinburgh born [[Donald Runnicles]] as its Chief Conductor in September 2009.<ref>Tim Cornwell, "Conductor back after 18 years to lead BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra". ''The Scotsman'', 2007-10-02.</ref><ref>{{cite news | author=Matthew Westphal | title=Homecoming: Donald Runnicles to Succeed Ilan Volkov at BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra | url=http://www.playbillarts.com/news/article/7130.html | work=Playbill Arts | date=1 October 2007 | accessdate=2008-09-14}}</ref> Volkov took the title of principal guest conductor BBC SSO as of the 2009-2010 season, in parallel with the advent of Runnicles as chief conductor.<ref>{{cite news | author=Michael Tumelty | title=Working with perfect harmony | url=http://www.theherald.co.uk/search/display.var.2474080.0.working_with_perfect_harmony.php | work=The Herald | date=10 December 2008 | accessdate=2008-12-11}}</ref> In September 2011, the BBC SSO announced the extension of Runnicles' contract as chief conductor through 2015.<ref>{{cite press release | url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/orchestras/bbcsso/about/news/donald_runnicles_extends_contract.shtml | title=Donald Runnicles extends his contract with the BBC SSO | publisher=BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra | date=September 2011 | accessdate=2011-10-01}}</ref>
In March 2015, the orchestra announced the appointment of [[Thomas Dausgaard]] as its 11th chief conductor, effective with the 2016–2017 season.<ref>{{cite press release | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2015/thomas-dausgaard-sso | title=BBC SSO new Chief Conductor announced at launch of orchestra's 2015/16 season | publisher=BBC Media Centre | date=11 March 2015 | access-date=2015-03-12}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | author=Tom Service | author-link=Tom Service | title=Thomas Dausgaard to take over at BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra | url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/tomserviceblog/2015/mar/11/thomas-dausgaard-bbc-scottish-symphony-orchestra | work=The Guardian|location=London | date=2015-03-12 | access-date=2015-03-12}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | author=Kate Molleson | title=Dane chosen as chief conductor designate of BBC Scottish | url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/arts-ents/music/dane-chosen-as-chief-conductor-designate-of-bbc-scottish.120243116 | work=The Herald | date=2015-03-12 | access-date=2015-03-12}}</ref> In January 2018, the BBC SSO announced the extension of Dausgaard's contract as chief conductor through the 2021–2022 season.<ref>{{cite news | author=Katy Wright | title=Thomas Dausgaard renews BBC SSO contract | url=http://www.rhinegold.co.uk/classical_music/thomas-dausgaard-renews-bbc-sso-contract/ | work=Classical Music Magazine | date=2018-01-12 | access-date=2018-01-15}}</ref> Dausgaard concluded his chief conductorship of the BBC SSO at the close of the 2021–2022 season.<ref>{{cite press release | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/cMf8c9Lx2gcpClZw6DCgY7/bbc-sso-spring-2022 | title=BBC SSO Spring 2022 | publisher=BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra | date=25 November 2021 | accessdate=2022-01-24}}</ref> In February 2022, the BBC SSO announced the appointment of [[Ryan Wigglesworth]] as its next chief conductor, effective September 2022.<ref>{{cite press release | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/4tp02jXgMPwDzhc367VkCPm/ryan-wigglesworth-appointed-chief-conductor-of-the-bbc-scottish-symphony-orchestra | title=Ryan Wigglesworth appointed Chief Conductor of the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra | publisher=BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra | date=8 February 2022 | accessdate=2022-02-08}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.scotsman.com/whats-on/arts-and-entertainment/this-feels-right-ryan-wigglesworth-named-as-bbc-ssos-next-chief-conductor-3558690 | title='This feels right' – Ryan Wigglesworth named as BBC SSO's next chief conductor | work=The Scotsman | author=Ken Walton | date=2022-02-08 | access-date=2022-08-18}}</ref>


The British [[Royal Philharmonic Society]] presented the BBC SSO with its award for Best Orchestra in 2002, and its then-chief conductor Ilan Volkov with the prize for Best Young Artist in 2004.
The [[Royal Philharmonic Society]] presented the BBC SSO with its award for Best Orchestra in 2002, and its then-chief conductor Ilan Volkov with the prize for Best Young Artist in 2004. In March 2014, the orchestra made its first trip to India, covering the cities of Chennai, Mumbai and New Delhi.


==Chief conductors and principal conductors==
In March 2014, the orchestra made its first trip to India, covering the cities of Chennai, Mumbai and New Delhi. At all the three places, they performed Felix Mendelssohn's "Hebrides overture", Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's "Violin Concerto No.5 in A major(Turkish)" and Tchaikovsky's "Symphony No.4 in F minor" with violinist Nicola Benedetti as the soloist and James Macmillan as the conductor.
{{Div col}}
* [[Guy Warrack]] (1935–1946)
* [[Ian Whyte (conductor)|Ian Whyte]] (1946–1960)
* [[Norman Del Mar]] (1960–1965)
* [[James Loughran]] (1965–1971)
* [[Christopher Seaman]] (1971–1977)
* [[Karl Anton Rickenbacher]] (1978–1980)
* [[Jerzy Maksymiuk]] (1983–1993)
* [[Osmo Vänskä]] (1996–2002)
* [[Ilan Volkov]] (2003–2009)
* [[Donald Runnicles]] (2009–2016)
* [[Thomas Dausgaard]] (2016–2022)
* [[Ryan Wigglesworth]] (2022–present)
{{Div col end}}


==Chief and Principal Conductors==
===Chief guest conductors and principal guest conductors===
{{Div col}}
* 2009–present: [[Donald Runnicles]]
* Sir Charles Groves (1981–1983)
* 2003-2009: [[Ilan Volkov]]
* Vernon Handley (1983–1985)
* 1996-2002: [[Osmo Vänskä]]
* George Hurst (1986–1989)
* 1983-1993: [[Jerzy Maksymiuk]]
* Takuo Yuasa (1989–1992)
* 1978-1980: [[Karl Anton Rickenbacher]]
* Ilan Volkov (2009–present)
* 1971-1977: [[Christopher Seaman]]
{{Div col end}}
* 1965-1971: [[James Loughran]]
* 1960-1965: [[Norman Del Mar]]
* 1946-1960: [[Ian Whyte (conductor)|Ian Whyte]]
* 1935-1946: [[Guy Warrack]]


==Associate principal conductors==
==Chief/Principal Guest Conductors==
* Martyn Brabbins (1996–2005)
*2009- Ilan Volkov
*1989-1992 Takuo Yuasa
*1986-1989 George Hurst
*1983-1985 Vernon Handley
*1981-1983 Sir Charles Groves


==Associate Principal Conductor==
===Associate guest conductors===
* [[Stefan Solyom]] (2006–2009)
*1996-2005 Martyn Brabbins
* Andrew Manze (2010–2014)
* [[John Wilson (conductor)|John Wilson]] (2016–present)


==Assistant and associate conductors==
==Associate Guest Conductors==
{{Div col}}
*2010- Andrew Manze
* Robert Irving (1946–1948)
*2006-2009 Stefan Solyom
* Harry Platts (1948–1949)

* John Hopkins (1949–1951)
==Assistant & Associate Conductors==
* [[Alexander Gibson (conductor)|Alexander Gibson]] (1952–1954)
*1946-1948 Robert Irving
* Gerald Gentry (1954–1956)
*1948-1949 Harry Platts
* [[Colin Davis]] (1957–1959)
*1949-1951 John Hopkins
* [[Bryden Thomson]] (1959–1960)
*1952-1954 [[Alexander Gibson (conductor)|Alexander Gibson]]
* James Lockhart (1960–1962)
*1954-1956 Gerald Gentry
* Bernard Keeffe (1962–1964)
*1957-1959 [[Colin Davis]]
* Graham Treacher (1964–1967)
*1959-1960 [[Bryden Thomson]]
* Christopher Seaman (1968–1970)
*1960-1962 James Lockhart
* [[Andrew Davis (conductor)|Andrew Davis]] (1970–1972)
*1962-1964 Bernard Keeffe
* Christopher Adey (1973–1976)
*1964-1967 Graham Treacher
* [[Simon Rattle]] (1977–1980)
*1968-1970 Christopher Seaman
* Nicholas Kraemer (1983–1985)
*1970-1972 [[Andrew Davis (conductor)|Andrew Davis]]
*1973-1976 Christopher Adey
* Christopher Bell (1989–1991)
* Martyn Brabbins (1992–1996)
*1977-1980 [[Simon Rattle]]
{{Div col end}}
*1983-1985 Nicholas Kraemer
*1989-1991 Christopher Bell
*1992-1996 Martyn Brabbins


==Affiliated composers==
==Affiliated composers==
{{Div col}}
*1994-1998: [[Tan Dun]] (Associate Composer/Conductor)
* [[Tan Dun]] (Associate Composer/Conductor, 1994–1998)
*1999-2003: Stuart MacRae (Composer in Association)
*2005-2007: [[Jonathan Harvey (composer)|Jonathan Harvey]] (Composer-in-Association)
* Stuart MacRae (Composer in Association, 1999–2003)
*2004-2006: [[Anna Meredith]] (Composer in Residence)
* [[Anna Meredith]] (Composer in Residence, 2004–2006)
*2010 - [[Matthias Pintscher]] (Artist-in-Association)
* [[Jonathan Harvey (composer)|Jonathan Harvey]] (Composer-in-Association, 2005–2007)
* [[Matthias Pintscher]] (Artist-in-Association, 2010–2018)
{{Div col end}}


==Recordings==
==Recordings==
As well as its regular live broadcasts and recordings for the BBC, and recordings for BBC Music Magazine, the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra has recorded 98 commercial CDs for labels including BIS, NMC and [[Hyperion Records|Hyperion]], with whom it has a long association. The orchestra has gathered 4 Gramophone Awards and a Grammy nomination for its commercial recordings.
As well as its regular live broadcasts and recordings for the BBC, and recordings for BBC Music Magazine, the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra has recorded 98 commercial CDs for labels including BIS, NMC and [[Hyperion Records|Hyperion]], with whom it has a long association. The orchestra has gathered 4 Gramophone Awards and a Grammy nomination for its commercial recordings.


*[[Jonathan Harvey (composer)|Jonathan Harvey]]: ''Body Mandala'' - Anu Komsi (soprano), BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Ilan Volkov (conductor). Label: NMC<ref>{{cite press release | url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/music/bbcsso/news/20080926_gramaphone_awards.shtml | title=News: BBC SSO wins coveted Gramophone Award | publisher=BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra | date=26 September 2008 | accessdate=2009-09-22}}</ref>
*[[Jonathan Harvey (composer)|Jonathan Harvey]]: ''Body Mandala'' – Anu Komsi (soprano), BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Ilan Volkov (conductor). Label: NMC<ref>{{cite press release | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/music/bbcsso/news/20080926_gramaphone_awards.shtml | title=News: BBC SSO wins coveted Gramophone Award | publisher=BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra | date=26 September 2008 | access-date=2009-09-22}}</ref>
*''English Orchestral Songs'' – [[Christopher Maltman]] (baritone), BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Martyn Brabbins (conductor), [[Adrian Adlam]] ([[Concertmaster|leader]]). Label: [[Hyperion Records|Hyperion]].
*''English Orchestral Songs'' – [[Christopher Maltman]] (baritone), BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Martyn Brabbins (conductor), [[Adrian Adlam]] ([[Concertmaster|leader]]). Label: [[Hyperion Records|Hyperion]].

==Notes and references==
{{Reflist}}


==See also==
==See also==
*[[broadcast orchestra]]
*[[Radio orchestra|Broadcast Orchestra]]
*[[BBC Orchestras and Singers]]
*[[BBC Orchestras and Singers]]

==Notes and references==
{{Reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
*{{bbc.co.uk|id=orchestras/bbcsso/|title=BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra}}
*{{bbc.co.uk|id=bbcsso/|title=BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra}}


{{BBC music ensembles}}
{{BBC music ensembles}}
{{Authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Bbc Scottish Symphony Orchestra}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bbc Scottish Symphony Orchestra}}
[[Category:1935 establishments in Scotland]]
[[Category:1935 establishments in Scotland]]
[[Category:Arts in Scotland]]
[[Category:Arts in Scotland]]
[[Category:BBC music|Scottish Symphony Orchestra]]
[[Category:BBC Orchestras|Scottish Symphony Orchestra]]
[[Category:BBC Scotland]]
[[Category:BBC Scotland]]
[[Category:Culture in Edinburgh]]
[[Category:British symphony orchestras]]
[[Category:Musical groups from Edinburgh]]
[[Category:Music in Glasgow]]
[[Category:Music in Glasgow]]
[[Category:Musical groups established in 1935]]
[[Category:Musical groups established in 1935]]
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[[Category:Radio and television orchestras]]
[[Category:Radio and television orchestras]]
[[Category:Scottish orchestras]]
[[Category:Scottish orchestras]]
[[Category:Decca Records artists]]
[[Category:RCA Records artists]]
[[Category:Sony Classical Records artists]]

Latest revision as of 07:10, 15 August 2024

BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra
Orchestra
The BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra's logo
Short nameBBC SSO
Founded1935 (89 years ago)
LocationGlasgow, Scotland
Concert hallGlasgow City Halls
Principal conductorRyan Wigglesworth
Websitewww.bbc.co.uk/bbcsso

The BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra (BBC SSO) is a Scottish broadcasting symphony orchestra based in Glasgow. One of five full-time orchestras maintained by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), it is the oldest full-time professional radio orchestra in Scotland. The orchestra is based at City Halls in Glasgow.[1]

History

[edit]

The BBC opened its Edinburgh studio in 1930, and decided to form its own full-time Scottish orchestra to complement BBC orchestras already established in London, Manchester and Wales. The BBC Scottish Orchestra was established as Scotland's first full-time orchestra on 1 December 1935 by the BBC's first head of music in Scotland, composer and conductor Ian Whyte.

In 1938, the orchestra moved into its purpose-built home at Studio One, in the newly opened Glasgow Studios, at Broadcasting House in Queen Margaret Drive. The newly formed Scottish Variety Orchestra (which became the BBC Scottish Radio Orchestra in 1967) occupied Studio Two.

As one of the BBC's many ensembles, the orchestra led a busy though sheltered life, broadcasting live at least five times a week from its studio and only occasionally allowed out. Throughout the war, the orchestra fulfilled 30 hours of broadcasts per week on the BBC Home and World Services. This meant live performances at any time of day or night, often broadcasting live to Latin America at half past one in the morning.

By the end of the war, during which the orchestra had been expanded in numbers, Whyte had brought it to a standard considered good enough for the newly established Edinburgh Festival, at which the orchestra has appeared regularly since 1948.

Through the 1950s and 1960s, live studio broadcasting still dominated the orchestra's schedule, and there was little time in its schedule for public performances. This situation changed after Norman Del Mar's advent as Principal Conductor in 1960. He led the BBC Scottish Orchestra's first visit to The Proms in 1962, and through his efforts the orchestra was further expanded, which led to a change of its title to the "BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra" the following year. Del Mar's earliest projects included the UK premiere of Stockhausen's Gruppen, performed jointly in Glasgow with the Scottish National Orchestra, and it was his interest in contemporary music that laid the foundation for the BBC SSO's long-standing commitment to new work. The BBC SSO has continued to perform the work of Scottish composers in Scotland and at The Proms, such as the 1990 Premiere of James MacMillan's The Confession of Isobel Gowdie.

The last twenty years has seen the gradual emergence of the BBC SSO as a fully fledged 'public' orchestra, with foreign touring, commercial recordings and concerts all over the world consolidating its position as one of the cornerstones of Scottish musical life. The BBC SSO appears annually in such festivals as the BBC Proms, the Edinburgh International Festival, the Cheltenham, Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival and the St Magnus Festival in Orkney. At the beginning of January 2006, the BBC SSO moved from Broadcasting House, Glasgow to the fully refurbished City Halls in Glasgow.

From 2003 to 2009, the orchestra's Chief Conductor was Israeli-born Ilan Volkov, the youngest-ever chief conductor of any BBC orchestra.[2] In October 2007, the orchestra announced the appointment of Edinburgh born Donald Runnicles as its Chief Conductor in September 2009.[3][4] Volkov took the title of principal guest conductor BBC SSO as of the 2009–2010 season, in parallel with the advent of Runnicles as chief conductor.[5] In September 2011, the BBC SSO announced the extension of Runnicles' contract as chief conductor through 2015.[6] In October 2014, the BBC SSO reported the scheduled conclusion of Runnicles' tenure as chief conductor in September 2016, at which time he took the title of conductor emeritus with the orchestra.[7]

In March 2015, the orchestra announced the appointment of Thomas Dausgaard as its 11th chief conductor, effective with the 2016–2017 season.[8][9][10] In January 2018, the BBC SSO announced the extension of Dausgaard's contract as chief conductor through the 2021–2022 season.[11] Dausgaard concluded his chief conductorship of the BBC SSO at the close of the 2021–2022 season.[12] In February 2022, the BBC SSO announced the appointment of Ryan Wigglesworth as its next chief conductor, effective September 2022.[13][14]

The Royal Philharmonic Society presented the BBC SSO with its award for Best Orchestra in 2002, and its then-chief conductor Ilan Volkov with the prize for Best Young Artist in 2004. In March 2014, the orchestra made its first trip to India, covering the cities of Chennai, Mumbai and New Delhi.

Chief conductors and principal conductors

[edit]

Chief guest conductors and principal guest conductors

[edit]
  • Sir Charles Groves (1981–1983)
  • Vernon Handley (1983–1985)
  • George Hurst (1986–1989)
  • Takuo Yuasa (1989–1992)
  • Ilan Volkov (2009–present)

Associate principal conductors

[edit]
  • Martyn Brabbins (1996–2005)

Associate guest conductors

[edit]

Assistant and associate conductors

[edit]
  • Robert Irving (1946–1948)
  • Harry Platts (1948–1949)
  • John Hopkins (1949–1951)
  • Alexander Gibson (1952–1954)
  • Gerald Gentry (1954–1956)
  • Colin Davis (1957–1959)
  • Bryden Thomson (1959–1960)
  • James Lockhart (1960–1962)
  • Bernard Keeffe (1962–1964)
  • Graham Treacher (1964–1967)
  • Christopher Seaman (1968–1970)
  • Andrew Davis (1970–1972)
  • Christopher Adey (1973–1976)
  • Simon Rattle (1977–1980)
  • Nicholas Kraemer (1983–1985)
  • Christopher Bell (1989–1991)
  • Martyn Brabbins (1992–1996)

Affiliated composers

[edit]
  • Tan Dun (Associate Composer/Conductor, 1994–1998)
  • Stuart MacRae (Composer in Association, 1999–2003)
  • Anna Meredith (Composer in Residence, 2004–2006)
  • Jonathan Harvey (Composer-in-Association, 2005–2007)
  • Matthias Pintscher (Artist-in-Association, 2010–2018)

Recordings

[edit]

As well as its regular live broadcasts and recordings for the BBC, and recordings for BBC Music Magazine, the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra has recorded 98 commercial CDs for labels including BIS, NMC and Hyperion, with whom it has a long association. The orchestra has gathered 4 Gramophone Awards and a Grammy nomination for its commercial recordings.

See also

[edit]

Notes and references

[edit]
  1. ^ George Hall (29 January 2006). "Look north for acoustic paradise". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 3 April 2007.
  2. ^ Tim Cornwell, "Top conductor to leave Scottish Symphony Orchestra" The Scotsman, 2007-09-18.
  3. ^ Tim Cornwell, "Conductor back after 18 years to lead BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra". The Scotsman, 2007-10-02.
  4. ^ Matthew Westphal (1 October 2007). "Homecoming: Donald Runnicles to Succeed Ilan Volkov at BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra". Playbill Arts. Retrieved 14 September 2008.
  5. ^ Michael Tumelty (10 December 2008). "Working with perfect harmony". The Herald. Retrieved 11 December 2008.
  6. ^ "Donald Runnicles extends his contract with the BBC SSO" (Press release). BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra. September 2011. Retrieved 1 October 2011.
  7. ^ "Donald Runnicles to become BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra's Conductor Emeritus" (Press release). BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra. 22 October 2014. Retrieved 25 October 2014.
  8. ^ "BBC SSO new Chief Conductor announced at launch of orchestra's 2015/16 season" (Press release). BBC Media Centre. 11 March 2015. Retrieved 12 March 2015.
  9. ^ Tom Service (12 March 2015). "Thomas Dausgaard to take over at BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 12 March 2015.
  10. ^ Kate Molleson (12 March 2015). "Dane chosen as chief conductor designate of BBC Scottish". The Herald. Retrieved 12 March 2015.
  11. ^ Katy Wright (12 January 2018). "Thomas Dausgaard renews BBC SSO contract". Classical Music Magazine. Retrieved 15 January 2018.
  12. ^ "BBC SSO Spring 2022" (Press release). BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra. 25 November 2021. Retrieved 24 January 2022.
  13. ^ "Ryan Wigglesworth appointed Chief Conductor of the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra" (Press release). BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra. 8 February 2022. Retrieved 8 February 2022.
  14. ^ Ken Walton (8 February 2022). "'This feels right' – Ryan Wigglesworth named as BBC SSO's next chief conductor". The Scotsman. Retrieved 18 August 2022.
  15. ^ "News: BBC SSO wins coveted Gramophone Award" (Press release). BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra. 26 September 2008. Retrieved 22 September 2009.
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