Prokofiev: Symphony No. 1 in D Major / Violin Concerto No. 2 in G minor / Five Melodies for Solo Violin and Strings

Hybrid/SACD - Multichannel hybrid. Normal layer HDCD

Linn Records continues its successful partnership with the SCO, with this, the sixth release in the series (the fourth with conductor Joseph Swensen).

Joseph Swensen, conductor & violin

Joseph Swensen has established himself as one of the most exciting talents to have emerged from today's younger generation of conductors. This was recognised by his appointment, in autumn 1996, as Principal Conductor of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra. His appointment has now been extended until May 2005.
Before becoming a full-time conductor in 1990, Joseph Swensen was considered one of the great solo violinists on the international touring scene - which included appearances with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra in 1985 and 1988 - and was an exclusive BMG Classics recording artist. As a busy conductor, however, his appearances as a soloist remain rare.

The success of Principal Conductor Joseph Swensen's dynamic relationship with the SCO continues to develop as it enters its seventh year. He opens the Orchestra's forthcoming season in October with a performance of Beethoven's 9th Symphony, directs the world premiere of Karin Rehnqvist's Clarinet Concerto, conducts an all-Sibelius programme in the Orchestra's Late Masterpieces series and takes the violin solo and conducts a Prokofiev Anniversary Concert, including the Violin Concerto No 2. The Orchestra's first recordings with Joseph Swensen were released in 1999: works by James MacMillan (BIS) and the Bruch and Mendelssohn Violin Concertos (Telarc).

Scottish Chamber Orchestra
Formed in 1974 with a commitment to serve the Scottish community, the Scottish Chamber Orchestra is one of Scotland's foremost cultural ambassadors, touring regularly in the Far East, Europe and the USA. The Orchestra is internationally recognised for its innovative approach to music-making and programme planning. Its winter season includes concerts in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, St Andrews, Perth, Dumfries, Ayr and Inverness. It also undertakes an annual Highlands Tour and has played in over 100 small communities across the Scottish Highlands and Islands. It appears regularly at the Edinburgh International Festival, the BBC Proms and the St Magnus (Orkney) and Aldeburgh Festivals. Its busy international touring schedule has recently included Austria, Switzerland, Spain, Portugal, The Netherlands, Sweden and Hong Kong and, later this summer, the Orchestra will perform in the USA.

The Orchestra enjoys close relationships with many leading composers and has commissioned more than sixty new works. Composer Laureate Sir Peter Maxwell Davies' series of ten Strathclyde Concertos was commissioned by Strathclyde Regional Council for the SCO principals. Affiliate Composer James MacMillan has composed a number of important works for the Orchestra, including Veni, Veni Emmanuel, the percussion concerto commissioned by Christian Salvesen PLC for Evelyn Glennie and the SCO. The Orchestra is currently collaborating with the Swedish Chamber Orchestra in a four-year programme of joint commissions from Composers-in-Residence Sally Beamish and Karin Rehnqvist