About

We play Salon arrangements.

3 violins, 1 viola, 1 cello, 1 double bass, trumpet, flute, clarinet/sax, baritone/tuba, accordion/piano, percussion

Salonorchester is a mixed ensemble format that was popular on the continent from the 19^th century until the advent of gramophone and radio. It offered a more intimate and flexible way to experience the hits of the day in a drawing room or ballroom, the Salon. In its heyday, there was an industry of arrangers, producing score after score as soon as they could get their hands on new music, even operas.

The standard orchestration included strings, a few wind and brass instruments, percussion and a piano (often supported by a harmonium, a portable organ). With versatile players, a full orchestral sound could be evoked in surprising colours.

Salonorchester Glasgow performs in this tradition, extending the concept to the big band era and sometimes to contemporary classical music. Nothing you hear is what it seems. All should be entertaining, conversational. It may make you smile and dance.

Below are a few video clips. Further recordings can be found on the Homepage and on some event blogs.

La Cumparsita (Gerardo Matos Rodriguez, 1916, arr. Vincenzo Billi, 1926)
performance at Advanced Research Centre, University of Glasgow, 19 July 2023 [details available here]

We both told a lie (Art Noel & Jimmy Mesene, arr. Eddie Dee)
extract recorded at RCS, 28 November 2023 [further samples available here]

Recording session for Bellini’s Norma (arr. Émile Tavan, c1880)
University of Glasgow, Concert Hall, 25 March 2025 [full recording available here]