• Under the directorship of Jonathan Morton, Scottish Ensemble adds the Tchaikovsky Serenade, regarded by the composer as one of his finest works, to its impressive Linn discography. • Imbued with the classical spirit of Mozart, but with Tchaikovsky’s style to the fore, the Serenade contains some strikingly effective scoring and an exhilarating Finale the ensemble relishes. • SE brings the same level of precision and finish you would expect from a string quartet; this is particularly evident in the elegiac third movement, one of Tchaikovsky's most inspired musical moments. • This recording also marks the premiere of Jonathan Morton’s 2013 transcription of Shostakovich’s Quartet No. 2. • Drawn to the work’s large, epic scale and the richness of its sound-world, Morton was keen for the ensemble to tackle this masterpiece from the chamber repertoire. • With his arrangement Morton adds to SE’s enviable reputation for Shostakovich transcriptions established by the late Rudolph Barshai. ‘…a scintillation of ace soloists who combine bracing energy, flexibility and precision, breathing and moving as one.’ The Observer ‘…playing of impressive unanimity of purpose, as one might expect from a small ensemble of highly-skilled musicians.’ Gramophone ‘Morton found exciting new possibilities and the ensemble responded, to beguiling effect.’ The Scotsman Pizzicato
'The Shostakovich transcription has an expressivity that goes well with the music.'


Classical CD Choice
'Here is a sterling example: while both of these pieces have enjoyed recommendable interpretations before, this particular coupling - performed with suitable panache - allows the listener to compare two great Russian masters from different eras.'
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BBC Radio 3 ‘CD Review’
'Jonathon Morton's intelligent arrangement of Shostakovich's 2nd string quartet is the coupling...It's an enjoyable recording...'
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The Observer

'The Scottish Ensemble's crystal-clear playing is a joy.'
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The Telegraph

'Jonathan Morton's Scottish Ensemble reveal new spectrums of colour in Tchaikovsky and Shostakovich.'
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SA-CD.net

'An invigorating release.'
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Herald Scotland
'It is a stonker, with a characteristically big-boned, confident and (under the consummately authoritative leadership of Jonathan Morton) compelling performance of Tchaikovsky's Serenade For Strings, the greatest of all classics for string orchestra.'
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The Times

'superbly virtuosic'
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Gramophone
'The two works, in fact, are not only extremely well and intelligently played but give the listener much food for thought about Russia in their juxtaposition.'
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