Soloist | Scott Dickinson
Venue | J & A Beare, London
Venue | J & A Beare, London
Scott Dickinson was appointed as the Philharmonia’s Principal Viola in 2024. He is also a Professor of Viola at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and an Artistic Advisor to the Tunnell Trust for Young Musicians.
Scott was born in Glasgow and studied in Manchester, London and Salzburg, where
he won the 1996 Mozarteum Concerto Competi
Scott Dickinson was appointed as the Philharmonia’s Principal Viola in 2024. He is also a Professor of Viola at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and an Artistic Advisor to the Tunnell Trust for Young Musicians.
Scott was born in Glasgow and studied in Manchester, London and Salzburg, where
he won the 1996 Mozarteum Concerto Competition. This led to the Salzburg
premiere of the Walton Viola Concerto.
He has appeared with Yuri Bashmet, Ivry Gitlis, Steven Isserlis, Vikingur Olafsson, Dorothea Röschmann , the Brodsky, Chilingirian, Elias, Maxwell and Navarra Quartets, regularly with the Hebrides, Nash and Wigmore Soloists Ensembles and as guest principal viola with numerous orchestras including the Australian Chamber Orchestra, BBC Symphony, Chamber Orchestra of Europe, Frankfurt Radio Symphony, London Philharmonic, London Symphony, Mahler Chamber Orchestra, Royal Opera House, Scottish Chamber Orchestra, Sinfonia of London, Swedish Radio Symphony, the John Wilson Orchestra, Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich and the World Orchestra for Peace.
For five years he was a member of the Leopold String Trio, performing worldwide (including Carnegie Hall, New York, Musikverein, Vienna, on highly praised Hyperion CDs and frequently at the Wigmore Hall, London) and for more than twenty years he was principal viola of the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, with whom he also appeared regularly as soloist, including performances of Mozart’s Sinfonia Concertante to celebrate Sir Donald Runnicles’ birthday and Jubilus by Jonathan Harvey on CD which was nominated for a Gramophone award.
He has recently been involved in a number of duo commissions with his wife, flautist Susan Frank, and for two violas, from composers including Janet Beat, Martyn Brabbins, Jay Capperauld, Piers Hellawell, Sir James MacMillan, John Pickard and
Errollyn Wallen.
Other recent and upcoming projects include an acclaimed solo video for Hebrides Ensemble’s "Inner Hebrides" series, the world premiere of Ailie Robertson’s “Beannacht” for Solo Viola and Electronics, recording Brahms Songs Op.91 with Karen Cargill and Malcolm Martineau for Linn Records, flute viola and harp concerts with Susan Frank and Lucy Wakeford, Kurtag’s Hommage à R.Sch. at the QEH with Vikingur Ólafsson and Maura Marinucci, Arvo Pärt’s Tabula Rasa and Mozart’s Sinfonia Concertante with Zsolt-Tihamér Visontay and the Philharmonia in Palau de la Música Catalana, Barcelona and at the Three Choirs Festival, and new works for viola and voices from Susan Frank and Lillie Harris premiered with the BBC Singers. Scott and Susan became well known for their online viola/piano collaborations in lockdown.
Scott loves people, wildernesses and words, enjoys writing as well as teaching and playing, and is passionate about the benefits of music in all areas of society.
Venue | J & A Beare, London
Venue | J & A Beare, London
Venue | J & A Beare, London
J & A Beare, often known as Beare’s London, is one of the world’s leading firms dealing in fine string instruments. Founded in 1885 by the Beare family and developed by brothers John Beare and Arthur Beare, the company quickly gained a reputation for expertise in historic violins. During the 20th century it became a central authority in t
J & A Beare, often known as Beare’s London, is one of the world’s leading firms dealing in fine string instruments. Founded in 1885 by the Beare family and developed by brothers John Beare and Arthur Beare, the company quickly gained a reputation for expertise in historic violins. During the 20th century it became a central authority in the international violin trade, particularly for instruments by makers such as Antonio Stradivari and Giuseppe Guarneri. The firm’s authentication certificates and scholarly opinions have long been regarded as among the most trusted in the field, and Beare’s has worked closely with collectors, musicians, and institutions around the world in the sale, restoration, and study of important string instruments.