What is almost certainly the most famous symphony ever written forms the climax of this wide-ranging concert with Marin Alsop, herself a regular and much-admired International Festival visitor.

From its unmistakably forceful opening 鈥� thought by many to symbolise fate knocking at the composer鈥檚 door 鈥� Beethoven鈥檚 Fifth guides you through turmoil and mystery, only to emerge in a triumphant climax of joy and optimism. It鈥檚 never more powerful than when experienced live, in the company of some of Scotland鈥檚 most accomplished musicians.

Before Beethoven鈥檚 pioneering symphonic journey, A Spell of Green Corn by Orkney resident composer Peter Maxwell Davies celebrates the islands鈥� ancient tradition of a fiddler blessing the furrow with a tune before crops are planted. It鈥檚 shot through with Scottish folk music and vivid evocations of storm-lashed Orcadian landscapes, building to a scene of celebration.

Alsop opens the concert with the unstoppable dance rhythms of the folk- and rock-inspired Strum by fellow New Yorker Jessie Montgomery, one of the USA鈥檚 most inspiring young composers.