Mendelssohn's Scottish Symphony
Royal Scottish National Orchestra
- Great for groups
- First-timer friendly
- Early finish
- Date
- Fri, 14 May 2027
- Time
- 19:30 · 2h 0m
- Venue
- Music Hall, Aberdeen
- City
- Aberdeen
- Conductor
- Jörg Widmann
- Tickets
- from £15
You'll be taken to the ensemble's official site.
Summary
Jörg Widmann conducts the Royal Scottish National Orchestra at Aberdeen's Music Hall, doubling as soloist for his own Danse macabre and a Mendelssohn arrangement before the Scottish Symphony.
Why it's fantastic
Jörg Widmann takes on a double role for this evening, leading the ensemble through his own haunting compositions before picking up the clarinet himself. You will hear how Mendelssohn translated the mist and jagged ruins of Holyrood into a symphony, alongside a gentle arrangement of the composer’s lyric woodwind sonata.
Our guide to this performance
What you'll hear
The evening opens with Schumann’s Overture, Scherzo and Finale, a three-movement work that avoids the weight of a full symphony while retaining a symphonic scale and energy. You will hear a distinct shift in tone as the orchestra moves into Jörg Widmann’s Danse macabre. This piece features the clarinet as a central voice, exploring darker, more rhythmic textures that contrast with the earlier Romanticism. Following the interval, the mood turns reflective with a short arrangement for clarinet of the Andante from Mendelssohn’s Clarinet Sonata. This prepares you for the main work of the night, Mendelssohn’s Symphony No. 3, known as the Scottish. Throughout the symphony, listen for the ways the composer uses the strings and woodwinds to evoke the atmosphere of the Scottish landscape. The music moves from a sombre, folk-like introduction to a energetic finale, capturing the composer’s impressions of his travels through the country.
Who's performing
The Royal Scottish National Orchestra is a cornerstone of the Scottish cultural landscape, performing regularly across the country’s major concert halls. They are known for their technical precision and broad repertoire, ranging from core classical works to contemporary commissions. Jörg Widmann joins the ensemble in a dual role for this performance. As a conductor, he is recognised for his deep engagement with the Austro-German tradition, while as a clarinettist and composer, he brings a modern perspective to the stage. This collaboration allows the orchestra to explore his own original music alongside the standard orchestral canon.
Planning your evening
This performance takes place at the Music Hall in Aberdeen, a venue situated in the heart of the city. The concert has a total duration of approximately 120 minutes, which includes a scheduled interval for you to step away from your seat. This length and the variety of the programme make it a suitable choice for regular concert-goers and those new to orchestral music alike. There is no specific dress code for the event, so you should wear what makes you feel comfortable for a two-hour sitting. Entry prices for this evening begin at 15 pounds.
Written by the Bravura editorial team from the ensemble's published programme and venue information. We don't reproduce copy from box-office sites. Spotted something wrong? Tell us.
Programme
- 01Schumann - Overture, Scherzo and Finale (17’)
- 02Jörg Widmann - Danse macabre (17’)
- 03Interval
- 04Mendelssohn arr Jörg Widmann - Andante from Clarinet Sonata (7’)
- 05Mendelssohn - Symphony No3 _Scottish_ (44’)
Soloists
- Jörg Widmann - Clarinet
