This orchestra comes with its own choreographer

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In a ground-breaking new take on the classical concert, Impulse: Music in Motion presents Tchaikovsky’s Serenade for Strings and Shostakovich’s Chamber Symphony in a unique, personal, and deeply human performance.

Playing the entire programme from memory, the 21 string musicians are unleashed through choreographed movement, devised in collaboration with choreographer Örjan Andersson. The emotional tapestry of the music intertwines with the expressive physicality of the musicians to create an exhilarating encounter that will redefine audiences’ perception of these two iconic works.

Örjan Andersson is one of Sweden’s most successful choreographers and a regular collaborator with Scottish Ensemble, including the flagship production Goldberg Variations – ternary patterns for insomnia, which saw its 50th performance in 2023.

Through Goldberg Variations and other productions, including in Sync, Scottish Ensembles musicians have developed the skills and confidence to play from memory and use movement in their performances which will be further built upon in this brand-new project. For Impulse: Music in Motion Andersson’s creativity unfolds in distinct ways for each piece. Shostakovich’s haunting Chamber Symphony propels viewers into a dynamic tableau, where musicians traverse the stage with captivating intensity, while Tchaikovsky’s joyful Serenade sees graceful sweeps and fluid movements, igniting a sensory feast for the eyes and ears alike.

Impulse: Music in Motion tours to Glasgow, Dundee, Inverness and Perth from 8-13th March