The music of Mozart comes to Edinburgh and Glasgow in October 2024 – discount tickets for Scotsman readers
Widely regarded as one of the greatest composers in the history of Western music Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s work continues to enthral and enchant audiences more than two and a half centuries later.
And now Scottish audiences are invited to experience the majesty of Mozart with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra and Chorus – and there is a special ticket offer exclusively for Scotsman readers.
Included among more than 600 works Mozart produced in his prolific, but short, life, were the C Minor Mass and Symphony No.38 in D, known as the ‘Prague’ symphony, both of which will be performed in Scotland in October.
The ‘Great’ C minor Mass is Mozart at his grandest and most lavish, looking back with reverence to the choral glories of Bach and Handel, and full of pomp, ceremony and ravishing beauty.
Whilst Mozart’s musical love letter to Prague, the city that loved him more than any other, is a symphony of joy, drama and wonder.
Symphonic high spirits and choral splendours on a sumptuous scale – delivered by an exceptional quartet of dazzling singers, plus the massed ranks of the SCO Chorus, and passionate direction from conductor Maxim Emelyanychev.
About the concerts
Join Maxim, the Scottish Chamber Orchestra’s expert players and singers, plus four brilliant vocalists in a very special celebration of Mozart in Edinburgh and Glasgow this October.
The performances take place on Thursday 3 October, 7.30pm – Usher Hall, Edinburgh and Friday 4 October, 7.30pm – Glasgow City Halls. ‘Prague’ will be performed first, followed by the Mass and those performing will be: Maxim Emelyanychev conductor; Lucy Crowe soprano; Anna Dennis soprano; Thomas Walker tenor; Edward Grint bass baritone; SCO Chorus and Gregory Batsleer chorus director.
The Mozart Gala is kindly supported by Donald and Louise MacDonald.
Tickets from £15 (20% off full price tickets for Scotsman readers – quote promo code TSMSCO20) Under 26s and students £6 (Proof of age, student ID required) Under 18s go FREE (Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult)
How to book your tickets:
Visit the website here or call 0131 228 1155 (Edinburgh) or 0141 353 8000 (Glasgow).
About the compositions
The Great Mass in C minor is considered to be one of Mozart’s greatest works.
He composed it in Vienna between 1782 and 1783, after his marriage to Constanze. But why did he write the Mass? Perhaps to honour his marriage or perhaps to mark his recovery from a mystery illness.
The Mass, full of pomp and solemnity, has been used for a variety of films and TV dramas including the soundtrack for the Academy Award-nominated animated feature The Triplets of Belleville and in the Channel 4 drama A Very British Coup.
Mozart’s life was brought to the big screen in the 1984 film Amadeus and parts of the Kyrie from the Mass in C minor are used in two separate scenes – more of the mass ended up on the cutting room floor, but more did make the director’s cut on DVD.
Symphony No.38 in D, known as the ‘Prague’ symphony is dated 13 December, 1768. Mozart wrote it in Vienna, when he was just 12 years old. It was first played though, in Prague, which is why it became known as the Prague symphony.
Mozart composed the symphony in four movements - it is described as a ‘ceremonial’ work with the first movement alternating between wind and strings, the second for strings alone, the third a fast-paced movement with rapid string sections, horns and timpani, and the final a gigue – a lively baroque dance.
SCO reviews
The SCO’s excellent reputation goes before it. Here are just some of the reviews that have appeared in The Scotsman from past performances.
“The orchestra and chorus proved phenomenal throughout…” ***** Ken Walton, The Scotsman on Mendelssohn’s Elijah, 2024.
“The Chorus provided crystal-clear enunciation…” ***** David Kettle, The Scotsman on Bach B Minor Mass, 2023. “there’s barely anything he touches these days that doesn’t turn to gold.” Ken Walton, The Scotsman on Maxim Emelyanychev, 2024.