SCO 26/27: Mozart's 'Turkish' Concerto

The Scottish Chamber Orchestra are at The Queen's Hall on Thursday 22 April, with Václav Luks conducting. It's a programme that pulls from three different corners of Europe — Hungary, Austria and the Czech Republic — and it's built around Mozart's Violin Concerto No. 5, better known as the 'Turkish'.

The night opens with Kodály's Dances of Galánta, a dazzling piece that draws on the composer's childhood memories of folk rhythms and gypsy flair. It's a high-energy start that sets the tone for the rest of the evening. Then comes the centrepiece: Mozart's Turkish concerto, named for its exotic, percussive finale. Alena Baeva takes the violin solo here, and it's her second appearance of the 2026/27 season, so she'll be a familiar face to anyone who's been following the SCO's run this year. She's known for a radiant tone and an expressive style, and this concerto gives her plenty of room to show both.

The second half belongs to Dvořák's Symphony No. 5, a much-loved work that carries the composer's love of nature and his Bohemian spirit. It's a warm, melodic piece that balances the fire of the Kodály and the grace of the Mozart, and it brings the whole evening back to a more grounded, lyrical place. Between the three, the programme moves from Hungarian folk energy to Austrian elegance and finally to Czech romanticism.

The Queen's Hall is Edinburgh's premier independent mid-sized live music venue, and it's been hosting classical, jazz, folk, roots, rock, pop and Americana since 1979. It's fully accessible, with wheelchair spaces and accessible toilets, and guide and assistance dogs are welcome. The concert starts at 7:30pm, and tickets range from £45 to £8, with a £2 per-transaction fee included in the price.