Mansel Bebb (Personnel Manager)
"I haven’t toured Scotland for many years, but when I worked for the ECO we used to go there regularly. Apart from the Edinburgh festival I haven’t really toured since the 70s. This time we’re organising our own accommodation and travel which means that we get to see more en route between the five venues.

I’ve never been to Perth but the halls in Glasgow and Aberdeen are World class and the Usher hall in Edinburgh is well known to us all from our concerts at the festival. I'm looking forward to the Orchestra working with Maestro Ashkenazy who is inspiring in his Russian music and hope the audiences will enjoy his enthusiasm for these programmes.

Most of all we’re looking forward to sampling the many wonderful brands of malt whisky. If anyone reading this would like to buy me one I’ll be in the bar at the interval!"

Rhydian Shaxson (Cello)
"I’m looking forward to the tour, but wish we had a bit more time to enjoy the fishing! Seriously, the programmes are fantastic for the 'cello and I can't wait for the first concert."

David Whitehouse (Trombone)
"I’m planning on getting in some golf in whilst we’re in the midst of all this beautiful countryside, but really it’s about performing to new audiences and the challenges that each new hall brings. Performing Russian music with Maestro Ashkenazy is always a fantastic experience for us I hope the audiences will really enjoy the concerts"

June Scott (Flute)
"Well, as a Scot myself (in more than name) I’m looking forward to seeing my family and friends and performing in the music hall in Aberdeen which is a fabulous acoustic. I’m also very excited about playing in the new concert hall in Perth which is my home town. Apart from the concerts I’m looking forward to taking my orchestral colleagues out and showing them a good time, Scottish style!"

Julian Milone (Violin)
We tour a lot around the world, but rarely do tours in Britain , so I’m looking forward to the series of concerts North of the border. Shostakovich is one of my favourite composers and Steven Osborne is an artist I’m really looking forward to working with. Maestro Ashkenazy is particularly interesting to work with on this music, because of his experiences under the Soviet system. He’s very adept at finding and bringing out those hidden parts of Shostakovich where he was trying to express in music his antipathy towards the regime. All of this leads to really exciting music making.

Barnaby Robson (Principal Clarinet)
Read an in-depth interview with Barnaby here