The Meadows Chamber Orchestra is privileged to be able to pay tribute to the late Edward Harper, with whom it enjoyed a long and close association. Composed in 1993 for our 21st birthday, 'Overture' is a dark, compelling piece, inspired by contemporary events yet at the same time conveying the spirit of the occasion.

Deeply moved by the devastation of the Second World war, Richard Strauss composed 'Metamorphosen', a serene and nostalgic reverie for 23 solo strings. It was possibly the final acknowledgement from an old man that life and death are never far apart and that self-knowledge can only come of suffering.

Conducted by Peter Evans, Edinburgh's 'much loved chamber orchestra' also performs Stravinsky's ballet-inspired 'Danses Concertantes' and Alexander Taylor, currently pursuing a busy international career, makes a welcome return as soloist in Rachmaninoff's ever popular 'Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini'.

Highly sought after as a director, soloist, guest-leader and chamber musician, Alexander Janiczek makes a welcome return visit to the Meadows Chamber Orchestra following his memorable performance of Brahms' Violin Concerto.

He directs an enticing programme of well loved works by J S Bach, contrasted with perhaps less familiar Stravinsky - his Concerto in D (1946) and the rarely heard Concertino, a 1952 adaptation of his Concertino for String Quartet (1920).

David Watkin, well known to Edinburgh audiences as principal cellist of the SCO, brings deep knowledge and experience to the performance of eighteenth century repertoire. Mozart's magnificent final symphony and Beethoven's exuberant First, written just a few years later, frame the genial Horn Concerto. Adrian Uren was principal horn in the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britian in 2003 and enjoys a rapidly developing career as chamber and orchestral musician and soloist.

A concert dedicated to pieces influenced by jazz. Copland's daring Broadway-influenced score Music for the Theatre is complemented by George Gershwin's vivid and tuneful tone poem, An American in Paris. The Blue Note Sinfonia, a commission from Ben Parry - conductor, composer, and former Swingle-Singer - will receive its first performance. Our periodic exploration of the music of Sally Beamish continues with her recent Under the Wing of the Rock played by saxophonist, composer, and educator extraordinaire, Richard Ingham. He also supplies the vital jazz element, improvisation, by arranging and directing George Shearing's Birdland, with improvised solos for himself and members of the orchestra.