Royal Scottish National Orchestra Sondergard - Symphonies 1 & 5 - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

Described by The Herald as Scotland's leading modern symphonist, composer Thomas Wilson (1927-2001) was central to the renaissance of 20th-century music in Scotland. Wilson's music was championed by the Royal Scottish National Orchestra throughout his life, so it is fitting that the RSNO has recorded a second volume of his symphonies to showcase the strength and inventiveness of his orchestral writing. Wilson's Second Symphony reveals him to be a mature composer, full of intent and confident in his own style. Premiered in 1965 it is a tautly conceived work, darkly powerful in parts but full of color and lyricism. The Fifth Symphony was commissioned by the Scottish Chamber Orchestra for their 25th-anniversary season in 1998 and was to be Wilson's final work. Inspired by the challenge of writing for smaller symphonic forces, Wilson created a piece full of dramatic energy contrasted with moments of breathtaking tranquility that stands apart from his other symphonies. Rory Macdonald returns to conduct the RSNO following the critical success of their recording of Wilson's Third and Fourth Symphonies.

Rory Macdonald conducts the Royal Scottish National Orchestra in the premiere recording of three orchestral works by 'the father of Scottish music,' composer Thomas Wilson. Wilsonw as an important figure in Scotland's musical renaissance, whose exceptional output established him as a composer of particular significance. Wilson completed five symphonies of which two are recorded here Symphony No. 3 and Symphony No. 4 'Passeleth Tapestry,' both of which were premiered by the RSNO. The Third Symphony, a RSNO commission, was described in The Guardian as Inchone of the most impressive works written by a Scottish composer in recent years.Inch The Fourth Symphony, written to mark Paisley's 500th anniversary, features masterly orchestration throughout and Wilson's treatment of the strings is especially fresh and inventive. Carillon was commissioned by Glasgow city council in 1990 as part of it's European City of Culture celebrations, as the inaugural work to celebrate the opening of the city's new Royal Concert Hall, where the RSNO is now based. This recording is a fitting tribute to the leading Scottish composer of his generation by an orchestra who inspired and premiered his work.

Royal Scottish National Orchestra - Symphony in F minor [Study Symphony] [COMPACT DISCS] date 04/11/2000