The Scottish Ensemble’s ever-popular concerts by candlelight return this December with a programme featuring one of the seminal works in the classical repertoire: the Goldberg Variations by J.S. Bach. Bach’s Variations will be juxtaposed with Britten’s Variations on a Theme of Frank Bridge in the Scottish Ensemble’s Variations concerts from 3 – 8 December 2012 in Dundee, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Perth, Aberdeen and Inverness. The Ensemble’s atmospheric candlelit December concerts are a favourite for audiences across Scotland looking for an uplifting start to the festive period.

Originally created for harpsichord, the Goldberg Variations by Bach have been regarded as the definitive example of the variations form, with composers throughout the ages referencing this magical work, including Benjamin Britten. Composed when he was only 24, Britten’s own set of variations for string orchestra – created as a tribute to his teacher, the composer Frank Bridge – launched his international reputation. Like Bach’s, Britten’s set of variations each have their own individual characteristics which together create an epic narrative touching on a wide variety of musical styles.

Variations will also feature the second ‘musical postcard’ from Glasgow-born composer Martin Suckling, whose first commission for the Scottish Ensemble, In Memoriam EMS, received its premiere performances in October 2012. Inspired and prompted by the music to be performed this season, a new work by Martin will feature at each of the Ensemble’s concerts this season combining to create a brand new catalogue of music for strings.

Variations

Britten                   Variations on a Theme of Frank Bridge

Bach                      Goldberg Variations (arr. Sitkovetsky)

Martin Suckling        New work (world première performances)

St. John’s Kirk, Perth, 
Thursday 6 December, 7.30pm, 
Tickets: £12 
horsecross.co.uk / 01738 621 031

The Sanctuary, Queen’s Cross Church, Aberdeen
, Friday 7 December, 7.30pm
, Tickets: £13 
boxofficeaberdeen.com / 01224 641 122

Inverness Cathedral
, Sat 8 December, 8.00pm
, Tickets: £15
 eden-court.co.uk / 01463 234 234

All tickets for all Variations performances are £5 for registered students and free to under 16s when accompanied by an adult.

Source: Scottish Ensemble