Xander Van Vliet joins RSNO

The Royal Scottish National Orchestra (RSNO) has appointed 31 year-old Dutch musician, Xander Van Vliet, winner of the Rodger Raphael Prize, as its Principal Second Violin. Xander has been principal Second Violin with The Scottish Ensemble since April 2010, and he will retain this position following his appointment with the RSNO.

Van Vliet said:- “Over the past few months I have had the opportunity to perform with the wonderful musicians of the RSNO and have begun to feel at home. It is a very welcoming organisation, but more than that it has a sense that, with the arrival of Peter, James and Maya, a tangible sense of purpose exists which is something very inviting and an environment that I very much want to be a part of.”

Van Vliet will replace Rosalin Lazaroff who left the Orchestra in 2007 after 18 years, to return to Australia, with her husband and former RSNO Leader, Edwin Paling. Recruitment for this position began in August 2010, and was made following the appointment of joint RSNO Leaders Maya Iwabuchi and James Clark. The Orchestra also welcomed Dane, Thomas Søndergård, 42, as Principal Guest Conductor last month.

Xander Van Vliet will join the RSNO and guest conductor Thomas Hanus for Magnificent Mendelssohn, which features performances of the German composer’s Hebrides Overture, Violin Concerto (with Vadim Gluzman), concluding with Dvořák’s Symphony No6.

Magnificent Mendelssohn will be performed at the Usher Hall in Edinburgh tonight Friday 11 November. More information can be found on the RSNO website