The virtuoso Scottish Chamber Orchestra String ensemble is back on the road next month, with an uplifting programme of classics in Craigmonie Centre, Drumnadrochit on Friday 8 July at 8pm.

Acclaimed violinist Isabelle van Keulen was hugely popular with audiences on the SCO Strings 2010 Tour, and she returns to direct from the violin in this performance which includes music by Mozart, Bartòk, Grieg and Piazzolla.

The concert opens with two Divertimenti, from the teenage Mozart and the folk-inspired Bartòk. Grieg’s Holberg Suite was written in homage to great Danish-Norwegian philosopher and playwright Ludvig Holberg and is a light-hearted collection of five dances. Astor Piazzolla’s Four Seasons of Buenos Aires, combining allusions to Vivaldi’s hugely popular Four Seasons with fiery tango rhythms and a brilliant and demanding violin solo, brings the concert to close.

SCO Violinist Aisling O’Dea said: “We look forward to performing this exciting and inspiring programme for our audience in Drumnadrochit. We are joined by the wonderful Isabelle van Keulen in bringing together melodies from around the globe; from Mozart’s Divertimento in F to the vibrant folk-inspired melodies of Bartòk; from the northern beauty of Grieg’s Holberg Suite to the southern sensuality of the Argentine tango in Piazzolla’s Four Seasons, this promises to be an enchanting evening of summer gems.”

Isabelle van Keulen has performed with some of the world’s leading ensembles, regularly appearing as violin and viola soloist and chamber musician. She took up the position of Artistic Director of the Norwegian Chamber Orchestra in 2009.

The Orchestra’s summer touring across the Highlands and Islands is now in its 33^rd year, and by dividing into smaller ensembles, allows the Orchestra to bring music to as many local communities as possible.

This concert will also be performed at Woodend Barn, Banchory on Thursday 7 July and Sabhal Mòr Ostaig on Skye on Saturday 9 July.

Source: Scottish Chamber Orchestra