The Scottish Ensemble, Scotland’s most adventurous and versatile musical ensemble, begins its 2011/12 season on Sunday 23 October with a 6 date tour featuring rising-star pianist, Alasdair Beatson.

The Ensemble will be performing a programme of Mendelssohn and Stravinsky to audiences across Scotland before travelling to London for the first concert of its 11/12 residency at Wigmore Hall.

This will be the Scottish public’s first opportunity to take advantage of the special flat-rate £10 ticket price, which will be on offer at all Scottish Ensemble main season concerts during the £10:11/12 season. The decision to make all seats available for £10 this season clearly demonstrates the organisation’s commitment to delivering first-class musical experiences for everyone, even in this climate of economic uncertainty and tightened purse strings.

Especially in times like these, the Scottish Ensemble wants to remain accessible to new audiences, and give them the opportunity to try out the powerful and rewarding concerts which this enterprising outfit is known for.

For the opening tour of the season, Perthshire-born pianist Alasdair Beatson will be joining the Ensemble in a stimulating programme of works by Stravinsky and Mendelssohn. Alasdair will be playing a double concerto written by the gifted 14 year-old Mendelssohn with Scottish Ensemble Artistic Director, Jonathan Morton, as violin soloist.

This work gives the soloists the opportunity to flex their virtuosic muscles, something Alasdair is very much looking forward to:

‘I’m thrilled to be returning to play with the Ensemble, especially in a work which combines a favourite composer of mine – Mendelssohn – with the concept of a concerto for two soloists. Knowing Jonathan as I do, the performances are sure to have a wonderfully spontaneous energy, a great feeling of camaraderie, and also, when demanded for by this extremely dramatic music, some first-rate musical feuding too!’

Jonathan is equally enthusiastic about the collaboration as Alasdair’s performance style is very much in line with that of the Ensemble:

‘Alasdair and I meet, musically and artistically. I cannot think of another pianist I’d rather play with. He’s got a totally unique musical brain, and people like Alasdair absolutely fit into the Ensemble atmosphere and ethos.’

The rest of the programme includes two pieces from Mendelssohn’s later opus 81, as well as music by Igor Stravinsky. The latter’s unmistakable musical style will be explored by the Ensemble in both Concerto in D and Concertino, where energetic, primeval rhythms coexist with refined neo-classical sophistication plus a dash of Hollywood glamour.

For more details and booking information see the Scottish Ensemble website or contact your local box office.

The Music Hall, Aberdeen 01224 641122 www.boxofficeaberdeen.com £10/£5 students/under 16s free with a paying adult

Monday 24 October 2011, 8.00pm

OneTouch Theatre, Eden   Court, Inverness 01463 234 234 www.eden-court.co.uk £10/£5 students/under 16s free with a paying adult

Tuesday 25 October 2011, 7.30pm

Perth Concert Hall, Perth 01738 621 031 www.horsecross.co.uk £10/£5 students/under 16s free with a paying adult

Source: Scottish Ensemble