91Èȱ¬

From 18 to 21 June 2009, the 91Èȱ¬ Scottish Symphony Orchestra presents Listen Here!, its second annual big weekend of free concerts and music-making events from its home in Glasgow City Halls.

Listen Here! covers the full range of the 91Èȱ¬ SSO's output, combining symphonic classics, contemporary music and family entertainment. Performances from internationally renowned artists, including Chief Conductor Ilan Volkov and Scottish pianist Steven Osborne, sit alongside musical interpretations of classic children's stories, and a unique chance to sing with the orchestra.

Beginning on Thursday 18 June, conductor Tecwyn Evans conducts the 91Èȱ¬ SSO in a concert featuring some of the most popular works in the orchestral repertoire, including Britten's Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra and Handel's Water Music. The dynamic playing of the orchestra's principal trumpet Mark O'Keeffe is showcased in Haydn's brilliant Trumpet Concerto.

After seven years as the 91Èȱ¬ SSO's Chief Conductor, Ilan Volkov is stepping down to become Principal Guest Conductor. Before ending his tenure, he leads the orchestra through two programmes that highlight what a virtuoso body of players it is.

On Friday 19 June, in The Maestro's Choice, he proves his eclecticism in a programme that features Tchaikovsky's romantic Serenade for Strings and Ravel's La Valse – a waltz culminating in an explosive, shattering climax.

Alongside the maestro's lead, Scottish pianist Steven Osborne shows off his masterful playing in Stravinsky's Concerto for piano and wind instruments, then, post-concert, he lets his musical hair down in a short solo spot with a nod to the greats of jazz piano.

On the morning of Saturday 20 June in Let There Be Light, the orchestra invites singers of any standard to come and sing highlights from Haydn's great masterpiece, The Creation. Accompanied by the 91Èȱ¬ SSO and coached by members of the 91Èȱ¬ Singers, The Creation is one of Haydn's most loved and audacious works.

On Saturday evening, in a complete change of musical direction, Ilan Volkov and the orchestra present The New Celts. The 91Èȱ¬ SSO is the leading performer of new music in Scotland and here it presents some brilliantly conceived music by four Scottish-based composers; James Clapperton, David Fennessy, David Horne and Martin Suckling.

Listen Here! concludes on Sunday 21 June with From Hamelin To Hogwarts, a new family extravaganza from top percussionist and entertainer Alasdair Malloy. Alasdair presents a library full of children's stories in musical form, including The Lord Of The Rings, Alice In Wonderland and Harry Potter.

SD3