Symphony of Scotland

Christchurch Symphony Orchestra presents...
Lamb & Hayward Masterworks Series - Symphony of Scotland

"Kurt Nikkanen is not merely another star from the Juilliard school of wunderkind violinists – he plays with an intense love of music and an absolute awareness of how his solo line marries with the orchestral writing. Nikkanen deeply impressed." Scotsman Sir Walter Scott’s novels depicted Scotland as “exotic” and his work inspired all three composers represented in this Gaelic programme.

Gioacchino Rossini’s Robert Bruce Overture, although not often played, is a joyous example of why the composer’s contemporaries considered him the greatest Italian composer of his time.

Having made his Carnegie Hall debut at the age of twelve, American violinist Kurt Nikkanen has carved out a very successful violin career and regularly receives invitations from many of the leading orchestras and recital presenters including San Francisco Symphony, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Royal Philharmonic and BBC Philharmonic. Tonight he will perform Max Bruch’s four movement Scottish Fantasy. Bruch loved folk music as a source of melody and in this fantasia, a Scottish folk tune features in each movement Auld Rob Morris, The Dusty Miller, I’m a doun for lack of Johnnie and Scots wha hae wi’ Wallace bled.

Felix Mendelssohn’s Symphony No. 3 “Scottish” was inspired by the composer’s visit to Scotland in 1829. Amidst the ruins of Holyrood Palace in Edinburgh, the composer conceived the brooding theme with a slow introduction, infused with the darkly hued colours of the low wind instruments and violas. During his visit he also attended a bagpipe competition, the influence of which resurfaces within the lively clarinet melody.

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