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BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra

Did You Know?

The BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra was the first full time professional orchestra in Scotland and founded by Ian Whyte in 1935.

About the Member

Chief Conductor
Donald Runnicles

Principal Guest Conductor
Ilan Volkov

Associate Guest Conductor
Stefan Solyom

Conductor Laureate
Jerzy Maksymiuk

Leader
Elizabeth Layton

The BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra is widely regarded as one of Europe’s leading orchestras and enjoys an enviable position as a cultural flagship for the BBC and for Scotland. Originally a studio-based orchestra, formed in Edinburgh in December 1935, the orchestra now appears in venues across Scotland, is a core part of the BBC Proms, performs regularly at the Edinburgh International Festival and is in demand at major festivals throughout the world.

As befits its busy schedule of broadcasts on BBC Radio 3, BBC Radio Scotland and BBC Television, the orchestra has the widest repertory of almost any ensemble in the UK. The only Scottish orchestra to win the Royal Philharmonic Society Award for best orchestra, its commercial recordings have received a number of prizes, including three Gramophone Awards.

Since 2006, the BBC SSO has greatly expanded its programme of concerts and recordings from its permanent home base at Glasgow City Halls, and each season it continues to appear in other Scottish towns and cities. As Scotland’s leading supporter of new music the orchestra has established strong links with local communities through an innovative learning programme. Abroad, it has appeared in many of the great musical centres of Europe and has toured the USA, South America and been twice to China, most recently in May 2008.

Edinburgh-born Donald Runnicles became the BBC SSO’s Chief Conductor on 20 September 2009 a post which will run concurrently with his position as General Music Director of the Deutsches Oper Berlin. He succeeds Ilan Volkov (Chief Conductor of the BBC SSO from January 2003-September 2009) who now holds the post of Principal Guest Conductor.

For further information please visit the BBC SSO website.

Contact details

Telephone: 0141 552 0909

bbcsso@bbc.co.uk

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