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About the Orchestra

The Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Scottish Symphony Orchestra was formed in December 1935 and is a key contributor to the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ’s broadcasting and cultural role.

Based at:
City Halls, Glasgow
Chief Conductor:
Ryan Wigglesworth
Creative Partner:
Ilan Volkov
Associate Artist:
Lucy Drever
Composer-in-Association:
Hans Abrahamsen
Conductor Emeritus:
Sir Donald Runnicles
Conductor Laureate:
Jerzy Maksymiuk
Leader:
Laura Samuel

As Scotland’s national broadcasting orchestra, the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Scottish Symphony Orchestra has been performing for audiences across Scotland, the UK and internationally since 1935. From Oban to Aldeburgh and London to Seoul (as part of Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Proms Korea), 2024 is no exception. The orchestra’s live performances are regularly broadcast on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 3, Radio Scotland and Sounds, as well as Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Television and iPlayer.

Opening eyes and ears with ambitious repertoire beyond any benchmark, the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ SSO is Scotland’s leading champion of new music. Across nine decades, it has commissioned orchestral music by the most original voices of its time and hosts its annual Tectonics Festival of new and experimental music each spring alongside its Creative Partner Ilan Volkov.

With Associate Artist Lucy Drever the orchestra runs projects that inspire creativity and connection with families, schools and communities across Scotland. And through a close association with the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, the orchestra mentors the next generation of conductors, composers and instrumentalists. In 2024, the orchestra supported young musical talent in Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio Scotland’s inaugural Young Classical Musician of the Year competition.

Ryan Wigglesworth began his tenure as Chief Conductor in September 2022. One of the foremost composer-conductors of his generation, he has directed a wide range of repertoire with the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ SSO including the ballets of Stravinsky, major works of Elgar, and UK premieres by György Kurtág and Composer-in-Association Hans Abrahamsen. Regularly performing at the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Proms and Edinburgh International Festival, the orchestra is a recipient of a Royal Philharmonic Society Award and four Gramophone Awards.

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