Exclusive concert recorded in the Ballroom at Balmoral Castle, in the presence of His Majesty King Charles III and Her Majesty Queen Camilla
Presented by Alan Titchmarsh performed by the Scottish Chamber Orchestra Ensemble, and leading Scottish musicians
Broadcast on Classic FM, Friday 5 September, 7–8pm
Classic FM today announced it will air The Honours of Scotland Concert, a vibrant concert celebrating Scotland’s musical heritage.
The concert, recorded at Balmoral Castle last week, features an outstanding line-up of musicians, performing works first heard at the Honours of Scotland National Service of Thanksgiving and Dedication in July 2023. Hosted by Classic FM presenter Alan Titchmarsh and broadcast on Friday 5 September at 7pm, the hour-long concert brings together an ensemble of musicians from the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, of which His Majesty The King is Patron, and a rich tapestry of Scottish musical talent, celebrating the country’s landscapes, legends, and lyrical traditions through a diverse programme of works.
Opening with Hamish MacCunn’s evocative By the Burnside, drawing on the romantic imagery of Highland life, the concert continues with Jay Capperauld’s spirited Schiehallion!, based on traditional Scottish tunes. Hugh S. Roberton’s All in the April Evening, sung by Scottish mezzo-soprano Karen Cargill, offers a moment of quiet reflection, its pastoral beauty steeped in choral tradition.
The Ayoub Sisters join the SCO Ensemble for Melodies from Scotland, weaving Pietro Urbani’s classical settings of Robert Burns with traditional tunes, bridging centuries of musical heritage. Raemond Jappy’s fiddle set and Phil Cunningham’s Loch Katrine’s Lady, performed by accordionist Ryan Corbett, again bring the energy and intimacy of folk music to the fore.
Joanna Gill’s Song of Thanksgiving unites voices and instruments in a heartfelt tribute to resilience and gratitude. The concert culminates in Dougie MacLean’s beloved Caledonia and Paul Mealor’s stirring The Call of Lochnagar, commissioned for The Honours of Scotland Service in 2023, that gathers all performers in a powerful celebration of Scotland’s enduring spirit.
Together, these works form a musical portrait of a nation, from its hills and glens, to its poetry and people, resonating with pride, nostalgia, and hope. Originally performed as part of the Honours of Scotland Service of Thanksgiving and Dedication held at St Giles’ Cathedral in 2023, at which The King was presented with the Crown Jewels of Scotland, this music carries a deep sense of ceremony and national pride. Its inclusion in that historic occasion underscores the cultural resonance and emotional power of the works featured.
“This concert is such a special evening, in one of Scotland’s most historic rooms, filled with music that speaks to the heart and soul of the nation. To hear such extraordinary talent gathered in Balmoral’s Ballroom in the Presence of The King and Queen was a privilege, and I’m delighted that Classic FM listeners across the UK will be able to share in it too.”
ALAN TITCHMARSH, CLASSIC FM PRESENTER
The Honours of Scotland Concert will be broadcast on Classic FM, Friday 5 September, 7–8pm. It will also be available on Global Player, the official Classic FM app, across the UK on 100–102 FM, DAB digital radio, TV, and at ClassicFM.com.