A leading Asian orchestra gaining recognition around the world, the Singapore Symphony Orchestra (SSO), founded 1979, aims to enrich the local cultural scene, serving as a bridge between the musical traditions of Asia and the West, and providing artistic inspiration, entertainment and education. A full-time professional orchestra with 96 members, the SSO makes its performing home at the Esplanade Concert Hall, and also performs regularly at the Victoria Concert Hall and at other venues. Giving more than 50 symphonic concerts a year, its repertoire encompasses the all-time favourites and orchestral masterpieces as well as cutting-edge premières. Local musicians and composers feature prominently in the concert season. Since its inception in 1979, the SSO has toured America, China and Hong Kong as well as Europe. Maestro Lan Shui assumed the position of music director in 1997 and has raised the orchestra’s profile and level of excellence, and strengthened its commitment to the performance of new Asian compositions. The orchestra’s recordings of Alexander Tcherepnin’s symphonies - the first complete cycle ever recorded - have won great acclaim. The SSO has also recorded the music of Chen Yi, Zhou Long, Bright Sheng and Richard Yardumian under an exclusive recording contract with the BIS label. Artists heard on SSO recordings include Evelyn Glennie, Cho-Liang Lin, Noriko Ogawa, Christian Lindberg and Martin Fröst.