A World Class Orchestra - Lammermuir Festival

OK I am a bit biased.  I worked with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra from 1986 to 1992 and saw it become one of the leading chamber orchestras of the world.  They are of the same standing as Chamber Orchestra and the Mahler Chamber Orchestra which is saying something. To have them to open our festival on Friday was a privilege.

Pablo Gonzales was conducting the orchestra for the first time and the relationship seemed to have gelled very quickly.  For many the highlight of the evening was Maximilio Martin’s performance of the Mozart Clarinet Concerto, but the Mendelssohn ‘Itlain’ which brought the evening to a close was equally special.  Many thanks to Rosie Staniforth for stepping in to perform the Barber Canznetta really beautifully.  Only one question remains unanswered: who was Arriaga and why have we not heard more of him?

Los Esclavos Felices was a wonderful curtain raiser and I’d like to hear more of his music

James Waters – Director