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Flickering candlelight, atmospheric architecture, and music of illumination and warmth...

Scottish Ensemble's much-loved December concert provides an alternative to the usual musical offerings of the season, filling the beautiful surrounds of Greyfriars Kirk with evocative music from across centuries and styles. 

Celebrating its 50th anniversary, this year the UK’s leading string orchestra offers a jigsaw of significant snapshots and fragments from across its history, from pieces that have particularly resonated with audiences to some of its most significant commissions and musical moments. Between Sibelius’s 'Rakastava', Tavener’s 'Tears of The Angels', and extracts from Bach’s 'Goldberg Variations' will come arrangements of melodies from a golden era of music, Scottish traditional tunes, and a haunting carol. Step out of the winter cold, and into a space of reflection, contemplation and inspiration.

About the Scottish Ensemble

Scottish Ensemble (SE) is Scotland’s pioneering string orchestra; a collective of outstanding musicians, championing music for strings across Scotland, the UK and the world. Celebrating 50 years, across its 2019/20 Anniversary Season SE presents thought-provoking programmes and events that cross genres, styles, musical periods and art forms to shed new light on classical music - and the many ways it can be shared.

For A Winter's Night