Royal Scottish National Orchestra

“Peter Oundjian’s account, with the RSNO in white-hot form, had such a scorching immediacy of impact in the precise articulation of it most flamboyant elements, it was like hearing Candide reinvented.” (Michael Tumelty, The Herald, February 2013)

“John Adams’ 40-minute Harmonielehre.  It’s a thrusting, super-charged declaration – a hulking fusion of minimalism catch-sounds and romantic grandiosity – and Oundjian scaled its proportions just right.  He kept textures luminous rather than weighty, with propulsive drive and a fine balance of ardent winds and nervous, chattering strings.  He expanded the second movement with spacious contemplation and allowed the climax to really blaze.  The finale’s halo of high flutes and percussion twinkled transcendentally.  An absorbing performance.” (Kate Molleson, The Guardian, February 2013)

"Oundjian and the RSNO were both highly charged and subtly intimate in their responses. An auspicious start to their partnership." (The Times, October 2012)

"As for the performance, it was gripping from start to finish. When have we witnessed such visceral, machine-gun immediacy from the RSNO? When did we last hear the strings play with such compelling unanimity? Oundjian asserted his will on the symphony [Shostakovich Symphony No.11], from the aching emptiness of the opening, through the grotesque horror of the massacre, to the stillness of the lament, and finally the screaming belligerence of its overwhelming climax." (The Scotsman, October 2012)

“Glinka’s Russlan and Ludmilla overture was thrown off with impressive panache.” (The Telegraph, October 2012)

“As a performance, the entire evening was nothing less than a knock-out…Superlative clarity fed through every bar of this Rite of Spring, filling it with a kaleidoscope of vivid musical characterisations from the wailing of the opening bassoon and general menagerie of wind and brass, to powerhouse chords and ostinato that sliced the air with electrifying ferocity.” (The Scotsman, May 2012)

“But the performance of the night was the orchestra’s graphically characterised account of Albert Roussel’s ballet score Bacchus Et Ariane, conducted by Denève at full throttle and delivered by the RSNO with virtuosity and blazing intensity.” (The Herald, January 2012)

 “Andrew Davis conducted the Royal Scottish National Orchestra…achieving a passionate grandeur that swept you away.”  (The Guardian, August 2011)

“This was a masterful performance with the strings providing a lush, rock-solid sound for the vivid colours of the woodwind and brass to dance with.” (The Scotsman, February 2011)