Scottish Inspirations

Under the artistic leadership of the BBC SSO’s Chief Conductor Thomas Dausgaard, and as a response to his fascination with Scotland’s unique culture and attraction for artists, and his commitment to furthering the links between the orchestra and the Scottish community, ‘Scottish Inspirations’ is a series of BBC Radio 3 Commissions for the BBC SSO. Working with both established composers and emerging compositional voices, from the UK and abroad, the common thread in each has been a musical reflection by the composer on Scotland. Dausgaard explains: ‘We have commissioned composers to write works for us inspired by this great part of the world, to find out how Scottish art, place and memory enrich and inform a composer’s music and discover how Scottish culture connects with the rest of the world.’

The World Premiere performances have taken place at City Halls in Glasgow under Thomas Dausgaard and have been broadcast on BBC Radio 3. Currently there are further commissions in development which are planned for performance in the 2021/22 season.

Sally Beamish - Cauldron of the Speckled Seas (Piano Concerto No.2)
BBC Commission First performed with Martin Roscoe (piano) at City Halls, Glasgow on 10 December 2016 and subsequently broadcast on BBC Radio 3.
Jay Capperauld - Fèin-Aithne
BBC Commission First performed at City Halls, Glasgow on 10 December 2016 and subsequently broadcast on BBC Radio 3. Jay Capperauld photo credit: Euan Robertson
Enrico Chapela - Antiphaser (Concerto for E-violin and orchestra) (2018-19)
BBC Commission. UK premiere delayed by the global pandemic. World Premiere given by the Seattle Symphony Orchestra, March 2022.
Anna Clyne - Beltane
BBC Commission First performed at City Halls, Glasgow on 9 December 2017 and subsequently broadcast on BBC Radio 3.
David Fennessy - The Ground
BBC Commission First performed at City Halls, Glasgow on 12 January 2019 and subsequently broadcast on BBC Radio 3.
Helen Grime - Catterline in Winter (Two Eardley Pictures)
BBC Commission First performed at the BBC Proms (Royal Albert Hall, London) on 5 August 2016 and broadcast live on BBC Radio 3.
Emma-Ruth Richards - THE SAIL OF A FLAME: for mezzo-soprano and orchestra
BBC Commission First performed with Lucy Schaufer, mezzo-soprano, at City Halls, Glasgow on 11 January 2020 and subsequently broadcast on BBC Radio 3.
Bent Sørensen - Enchantress (5 intermezzi for orchestra)
BBC Commission First performed at City Halls, Glasgow on 11 January 2020 and subsequently broadcast on BBC Radio 3.