Scotsman review of Six Speechless Songs

Description

"The Scottish Chamber Orchestra was ready to mark its 40th birthday in style – but very much on its own terms. This anniversary concert was suitably festive and high-spirited, but thoughtful and refined, too. Take the opener, Six Speechless Songs by the SCO’s Glasgow-born associate composer Martin Suckling, specially commissioned for the occasion. Asked by conductor Robin Ticciati for something celebratory, Suckling instead produced six exquisite miniatures, each a self-contained world of developing ideas that made wonderfully inventive use of the SCO’s laser-precision playing. From its vivid, rhythmic opening, all unison melodies and Messiaen-like birdsong, to the icy mystery of the third movement, Suckling created a work of rich, almost decadent lyricism that proved an ideal showcase for the orchestra’s finely-wrought playing under Ticciati. It might not have raised the roof, but it drew you deep inside its glistening textures, and that felt magical." David Kettle

Period	8 Feb 2014
Event title	Scottish Chamber Orchestra - 40th Anniversary Concerts
Event type	Performance
Location	Edinburgh and Glasgow, United KingdomShow on map