Scottish Ensemble member Xander Van Vliet joins Scotland’s national symphony orchestra

The Royal Scottish National Orchestra (RSNO) has appointed 31 year-old Dutch musician Xander Van Vliet as its Principal Second Violin. Xander joins from the Scottish Ensemble, where he has been Principal Second Violin since April 2010. He will continue to work with the Scottish Ensemble following his appointment.

New RSNO Principal Second Violin Xander Van Vliet: “Over the past few months I have had the opportunity to perform with the wonderful musicians of the RSNO and have begun to feel at home. It is a very welcoming organisation, but more than that it has a sense that, with the arrival of Peter, James and Maya, a tangible sense of purpose exists which is something very inviting and an environment that I very much want to be a part of.”

Rosalin Lazaroff was the last permanent Principal Second Violin, who left the Orchestra in 2007 after 18 years’ service to return to her native homeland in Australia, along with husband and former Leader of the RSNO, Edwin Paling. Recruitment for the position began in August 2010, with the decision made following the appointment of joint RSNO Leaders Maya Iwabuchi and James Clark. Xander’s appointment also follows the Orchestra welcoming new Principal Guest Conductor, 42-year old Dane Thomas Søndergård, last month.

Xander Van Vliet will join the RSNO and guest conductor Thomas Hanus for Magnificent Mendelssohn which features performances of the German composer’s Hebrides Overture, Violin Concerto (with Vadim Gluzman), concluding with Dvořák’s Symphony No6. Magnificent Mendelssohn will be performed at the Caird Hall Dundee on Thursday 10 November, the Usher Hall, Edinburgh on Friday 11 November and at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall on Saturday 12 November.

www.rsno.org.uk

Source: RSNO