The orchestra string section featured prominently in this diverse programme conducted by the energetic, flamboyant guest conductor Joseph Swensen.
Fredrick Delius (1862-1934) is depicted as a Poetic Realist and the first piece - The Walk to the Paradise - was an arrangement by the conductor Sir Thomas Beecham of the entracte (the music between the acts) of Delius' fourth opera A Village Romeo and Juliet.
The music charts the journey the outcast lovers, from peasant stock, take to their inevitable death in the Paradise Garden. The gentle undulations of the strings simulate the tranquil flowing of the water by the riverside, mirroring their emotions as they make their way to decided death.
The 'Viola Concerto', composed in 1929 by one of Britain's best-known twentieth century composers William Walton, was next on the programme. Although Walton was not himself a string player, Sir Thomas Beecham suggested he write a piece for the voila, which ultimately received great acclaim. A perfectionist, Walton's concerto is unusual in the fact that the middle movement is lively, as opposed to being reflective and the concerto concludes on a pianissimo note.
Isabelle van Keulen, a world-renowned violin and viola player, was the soloist. With great self-assurance, and her body integrating with the music, she gave a marvellous performance, juxtaposing passion in the quiet moments with dexterous playing in the complex contrapuntal rhythms in the middle movement.
The second half of the programme was devoted to two American composers. John Adams, who composed 'Shaker Loops' in 1978, has developed a reputation for minimalist music. A composition for strings, it is a lengthy, challenging piece for the players, who excelled in their playing, as it requires a lot of concentration, with constant repetitive passages of only a few notes frequently having to be played at great speed.
Aaron Copland is one of the most celebrated twentieth century American composers and his 'Suite from Appalachian Spring' concluded the programme. Collaborating with choreographer and dancer, Martha Graham, the Suite, which was written in 1944, comprises many musical styles - jazz, blues, folksong.
Performed by a full orchestra, including piano, harp, timpani and percussion, it begins hauntingly with gentle strings, reminiscent of dawn awakening and gradually builds to, at times, a majestic crescendo. Leonard Bernstein was probably influenced by Copland's piece because there are many passages reminiscent of extracts from West Side Story with its contrapuntal rhythms. It was a tour de force for the orchestra and the conductor.
The SCO play the Glasgow City Hall on tonight at 7.30pm