Royal Scottish National Orchestra
Royal Scottish National Orchestra (RSNO) | |
---|---|
Orchestra | |
Former name | Scottish Orchestra Scottish National Orchestra Royal Scottish Orchestra |
Founded | 1891 |
Location | Glasgow, Scotland |
Principal conductor | Thomas Søndergård |
Website | www |
The Royal Scottish National Orchestra (RSNO) (
Its music centre and rehearsal studios are directly connected to the
is the orchestra's current music director, since 2018.History
The precursor ensemble to the RSNO was established in 1843 to accompany the Glasgow Choral Union (today known as the RSNO Chorus). In 1891, the orchestra was recognised formally as the Scottish Orchestra, with George Henschel as the ensemble's first principal conductor under that name. In 1950, the orchestra took the name of the Scottish National Orchestra. The orchestra received royal patronage in 1977, one of only three British orchestras to do so (after the Royal Philharmonic and Royal Liverpool Philharmonic). It continued to use the name 'Scottish National Orchestra' until 1991, when it changed to its present name (although during 1992 it briefly changed to the title Royal Scottish Orchestra before reverting to its current name[2]).
The orchestra's longest-serving principal conductor was Sir
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.[5][6] In October 2011, Thomas Søndergård was named the orchestra's principal guest conductor, as of the 2012–2013 season, with an initial contract of 3 years for 3 programmes per year.[7] In 2015, the orchestra took up new residence at the RSNO Centre and Glasgow Royal Concert Hall. The RSNO's current assistant conductor is Holly Mathieson, since September 2016. Oundjian is scheduled to conclude his tenure as RSNO music director after the close of the 2017–2018 season.
In May 2017, the RSNO announced the appointment of Søndergård as its next principal conductor, effective with the 2018-2019 season.[8] In June 2017, the RSNO appointed Elim Chan as its next principal guest conductor, effective 2018,[9] following her first guest-conducting appearance with the RSNO in January 2017 and a return engagement a fortnight later as an emergency substitute for Neeme Järvi.[10] In February 2021, the RSNO announced the extension of Søndergård's contract as music director through autumn 2024.[11] In April 2023, the RSNO announced a 1-year extension of Søndergård's contract as music director through the 2024-2025 season.[12]
In December 2018, the RSNO announced the appointment of Alistair Mackie as its next chief executive, effective April 2019.[13]
RSNO Chorus and RSNO Junior Chorus
The affiliated choruses of the RSNO are the RSNO Chorus and the RSNO Junior 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. In addition to its commitment to the RSNO, the Chorus performs independently and has toured worldwide. The current chorus director is Gregory Batsleer.
In 1978, Jean Kidd formed the RSNO Junior Chorus. In 1994 its director became Christopher Bell and then in 2018 it changed to Patrick Barrett. The RSNO Junior Chorus has a membership of around 400 singers, aged from eight to eighteen. The members learn to sing using the Kodály method.
Recordings
The orchestra has had a long-standing recording contract with
Principal conductors
- George Henschel (1893–1895)
- Willem Kes (1895–1898)
- Wilhelm Bruch (1898–1900)
- Frederic Cowen(1900–1910)
- Emil Młynarski (1910–1916)
- Landon Ronald (1919–1923)
- Václav Talich (1926–1927)
- Vladimir Golschmann (1928–1930)
- John Barbirolli (1933–1936)
- George Szell (1937–1939)
- Warwick Braithwaite (1940–1946)
- Walter Susskind (1946–1952)
- Karl Rankl (1952–1957)
- Hans Swarowsky (1957–1959)
- Alexander Gibson (1959–1984)
- Neeme Järvi (1984–1988)
- Bryden Thomson (1988–1990)
- Walter Weller (1992–1997)
- Alexander Lazarev (1997–2005)
- Stéphane Denève (2005–2012)
- Peter Oundjian (2012–2018)
- Thomas Søndergård (2018–present)
References
- ^ "Biography".
- ^ "History - Royal Scottish National Orchestra".
- ^ Ann Fotheringham (28 November 2022). "Remembering the world-famous Glasgow concert hall destroyed by fire". Glasgow Times. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
- ^ Phil Miller (4 March 2010). "National orchestra maestro to leave Scotland". The Herald. Retrieved 6 March 2010.
- ^ "Peter Oundjian to be RSNO's new Music Director" (Press release). Royal Scottish National Orchestra. 31 January 2011. Retrieved 1 February 2011.
- ^ Phil Miller (1 February 2011). "Leading violinist gets top role at RSNO". The Herald. Retrieved 1 February 2011.
- ^ "Thomas Søndergård joins RSNO Artistic Team" (Press release). Royal Scottish National Orchestra. 18 October 2011. Retrieved 6 November 2011.
- ^ Keith Bruce (25 May 2017). "RSNO names its new Music Director". The Herald. Retrieved 26 May 2017.
- ^ "RSNO Principal Guest Conductor appointment" (Press release). Royal Scottish National Orchestra. 20 June 2017. Retrieved 6 July 2017.
- ^ Susan Nickalls (21 February 2017). "Music review: The RSNO & Elim Chan". The Scotsman. Retrieved 6 July 2017.
- ^ "RSNO and Thomas Søndergård announce three-year contract extension for Music Director at launch of Spring/Summer Digital Season" (Press release). Royal Scottish National Orchestra. 18 February 2021. Retrieved 22 February 2021.
- ^ "Thomas Søndergård extends RSNO Music Director contract" (Press release). Royal Scottish National Orchestra. 26 April 2023. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
- ^ "Alistair Mackie appointed RSNO Chief Executive" (Press release). Royal Scottish National Orchestra. 19 December 2018. Retrieved 20 December 2018.
- ^ Tim Ashley (8 June 2007). "Roussel: Bacchus et Ariane; Symphony No 3, RSNO/ Denève". The Guardian. Retrieved 6 March 2010.
- ^ Tim Ashley (13 June 2008). "Roussel: Symphony No 2; Suite in F; Pour une Fête de Printemps, RSNO/ Denève". The Guardian. Retrieved 20 February 2010.
Sources
- Playing for Scotland: History of the Royal Scottish Orchestra; author Conrad Wilson, published by Collins, 1993.