SCO 23/24: Appalachian Spring

From homespun folk hymns to blazing marching bands, experience musical America at its most visionary – in the hands of vibrant young California-born conductor (and Royal Conservatoire of Scotland alumnus) Ryan Bancroft. 

Aaron Copland’s warm and generous ballet score Appalachian Spring combines foot-tapping folk dances with moving musical evocations of America’s vast landscapes. Charles Ives, however, paints mystical musical portraits of three New England sites, with ghostly memories of Civil War tunes alongside raucous parading bands jostling for our attention. 

In between, we unveil a brand new piece from the vivid musical imagination of Belize-born, now Scottish-based composer Errollyn Wallen. 

Ryan Bancroft conductor 

IVES Three Places in New England 
WALLEN Dances for Orchestra (World Premiere)*   
COPLAND Appalachian Spring (complete ballet) 

Kindly supported by Erik Lars Hansen and Vanessa C L Chang 

Commissioned by the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, Irish Chamber Orchestra and Swedish Chamber Orchestra 

Presented by The Scottish Chamber Orchestra