With a lyrical luminosity to her playing and powerful passions ready to break through at any moment, Argentinian-born Sol Gabetta is one of the world’s most distinctive cellists. She’s also a musician whose performances allow listeners to rediscover even well-known music afresh every time she plays.

Gabetta joins the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, making the first of its appearances at the 2021 International Festival, in a concerto that has been with her for almost her entire life. She has performed Saint-Saëns’s concise First Cello Concerto since she was a student, but finds new depths among its sparkling wit and drama at each performance.

Fiery Hong Kong-born conductor Elim Chan has made a big impact since becoming the RSNO’s Principal Guest Conductor with her electric direction. She completes the concert with Beethoven’s pioneering First Symphony – whose ‘illegal’ opening would have shocked Viennese audiences at its 1800 premiere – and the haunting Entr’acte by remarkable young US composer Caroline Shaw.