Classical music Music of Scotland

thomas erskine, 6th earl of kellie, first scot known have produced symphony

the development of distinct tradition of art music in scotland limited impact of scottish reformation on ecclesiastical music sixteenth century. concerts, largely composed of scottish airs , developed in seventeenth century , classical instruments introduced country. music in edinburgh prospered through patronage of figures including merchant sir john clerk of penicuik. italian style of classical music first brought scotland cellist , composer lorenzo bocchi, travelled scotland in 1720s. musical society of edinburgh incorporated in 1728. several italian musicians active in capital in period , there several known scottish composers in classical style, including thomas erskine, 6th earl of kellie, first scot known have produced symphony.

in mid-eighteenth century group of scottish composers including james oswald , william mcgibbon created scots drawing room style , taking lowland scottish tunes , making them acceptable middle class audience. in 1790s robert burns embarked on attempt produce corpus of scottish national song contributing third of songs of scots musical museum. burns collaborated george thomson in select collection of original scottish airs, adapted scottish folk songs classical arrangements. however, burns championing of scottish music may have prevented establishment of tradition of european concert music in scotland, faltered towards end of eighteenth century.

from mid-nineteenth century classical music began revival in scotland, aided visits of chopin , mendelssohn in 1840s. late nineteenth century, there in effect national school of orchestral , operatic music in scotland, major composers including alexander mackenzie, william wallace, learmont drysdale , hamish maccunn. major performers included pianist frederic lamond, , singers mary garden , joseph hislop.

after world war i, robin orr , cedric thorpe davie influenced modernism , scottish musical cadences. erik chisholm founded scottish ballet society , helped create several ballets. edinburgh festival founded in 1947 , led expansion of classical music in scotland, leading foundation of scottish opera in 1960. important post-war composers included ronald stevenson, francis george scott, edward mcguire, william sweeney, iain hamilton, thomas wilson, thea musgrave , james macmillan. craig armstrong has produced music numerous films. major performers include percussionist evelyn glennie. major scottish orchestras include: royal scottish national orchestra (rsno), scottish chamber orchestra (sco) , bbc scottish symphony orchestra (bbc sso). major venues include glasgow royal concert hall, usher hall, edinburgh , queen s hall, edinburgh.