BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra & Sir Donald Runnicles

Experience the works of two late-Romantic musical titans in celebration of conductor Sir Donald Runnicles's 70th birthday.

The BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra reunites with its former Chief Conductor Sir Donald Runnicles to explore the works of Gustav Mahler and Anton Bruckner.

Runnicles is now the leading Scottish conductor of his generation, but his connection with the International Festival goes back much further. His first performance at the Festival was in 1965, aged just 11. He sang in the Edinburgh Festival Chorus, as they made their debut with the Scottish National Orchestra, performing Mahler's Eighth Symphony. Runnicles went onto conduct the Chorus in 1994, performing the very same score.

Now, Runnicles turns his attention to Mahler’s setting of the German folk poems of Des Knaben Wunderhorn. Paying tribute to Germanic literature, Mahler’s orchestral songs are witty, poignant and passionate. The orchestra also performs Bruckner’s magnificent final symphony. Its three movements form an epic spiritual journey that explores the full spectrum of emotions, from fear and despair to transcendent bliss.

Soloists Annika Schlicht and Thomas Lehman from the Deutsche Oper Berlin – where Runnicles is Music Director – join for the Mahler.

The Warm Up: Sir Donald Runnicles & BBC SSO

Section Principal Trumpet Player Mark O'Keefe shares his experience rehearsing with Conductor Sir Donald Runnicles, who celebrates his 70th birthday with this performance. Mark tells us what to listen out for in Bruchner's 9th symphony and highlights the powerful energy that comes from an orchestra playing music they really love.

The Warm Up: Sir Donald Runnicles & BBC SSO

0 Stars

How chiselled and warm, how bold and honed and incisive the orchestra’s sound is under his baton

The Guardian (on Runnicles conducting Mahler’s 10th Symphony)

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    Programme

    A keepsake freesheet is available at the venue for this performance.

    Full Programme

    BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra

    Sir Donald Runnicles Conductor

    Annika Schlicht Mezzo soprano
    Thomas Lehman Baritone

    Mahler Selection from Des Knaben Wunderhorn
    Bruckner Symphony No 9

    From Des Knaben Wunderhorn:
    Der Schildwache Nachtlied (Thomas Lehman)
    Das irdische Leben (Annika Schlicht)
    Trost im Unglück (Thomas Lehman)
    Rheinlegendchen (Annika Schlicht)
    Lob des hohen Verstandes (Thomas Lehman)
    Wo die schönen Trompeten blasen (Annika Schlicht)
    Urlicht (Annika Schlicht)
    Revelge (Thomas Lehman)