Alban Gerhardt plays Britten

The BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra has a long history with the music of Thea Musgrave; performing a remarkable 36 works by the Scottish composer since 1955. Like Elgar’s work in this programme, which depicts the larger-than-life fictional character of Sir John Falstaff, Musgrave’s Aurora is inspired by the enchanting imagination of William Shakespeare.

Alban Gerhardt joins the BBC SSO to perform Britten’s deeply expressive Cello Symphony, originally dedicated to the great Russian virtuoso Mstislav Rostropovich. Commissioned in 1945 by the Ministry of Education for a children’s film titled “Instruments of the Orchestra”, Britten’s cheery tour de force shows off the considerable talents of the orchestra's individual players.

Presented by Kate Molleson, recorded at Glasgow City Halls on 12 March 2026.

Thea Musgrave: Aurora
Britten: Cello Symphony

Interval

Elgar: Falstaff
Britten: The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra

Alban Gerhardt, cello
Ryan Wigglesworth, conductor
BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra

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