The opening weekend is a three-concert celebration of the works of Russian composer Sergei Rachmaninov. RACH-FEST! features performances of three of Rachmaninov's greatest works for piano and orchestra by the acclaimed British-born pianist and MacArthur Fellow Stephen Hough. He will be joined onstage by American-based conductor Giancarlo Guerrero, making his UK debut.

Stephen Hough is widely considered to be the finest contemporary interpreter of Rachmaninov's piano works, and has attracted universal acclaim for his live recording of the concertos. The Sunday Times said of the award-winning collection: "Hough's interpretations demand to be heard." and The Independent stated that "Hough's set takes the palm as the pre-eminent digital edition of the Rachmaninov piano concertos".

The first of the three concerts, Rachmaninov and The Russian Tradition (Friday 22 June), presents two popular works from the composer's homeland: Mussorgsky's Night on a Bare Mountain and Tchaikovsky's Francesca de Rimini; alongside the composer's most popular work, Piano Concerto No2.

In the second concert of the series, Rachmaninov: The Italian Connection explores connections between Italy's culture and history and the composer, including Tchaikovsky's Capriccio Italien, Rachmaninov's Variations on a Theme of Paganini and Respighi's Pines of Rome. The final chapter of the trilogy, a Sunday matinée, looks at Rachmaninov's years in America. With Copland's ballet Billy the Kid and Gershwin's Suite from Porgy and Bess alongside the composer's own Vocalise and Piano Concerto No4, Rachmaninov and the New World reveals the influence of the United States on Rachmaninov's later works.

The RSNO June Concerts continue with The Magic of Gilbert and Sullivan (Wednesday 27 February), a selection of greats from the masters of comic opera, including excerpts from The Mikado, Iolanthe, Ruddigore, Princess Ida and The Yeomen of the Guard, and an abridged concert performance of The Pirates of Penzance.

Summer Classics (Thursday 28 June) sees one of the most technically accomplished classical guitarists of her generation, 28 year old Xue Fei Yang, make her first appearance in front of a Scottish audience. On hearing Yang play, John Williams, the elder statesman of classical guitar, was sufficiently impressed to present her with his own instrument, a Greg Smallman guitar. Yang will be performing Rodrigo's Concierto de Aranjuez in a summer-themed concert, also featuring Mendelssohn's Overture to A Midsummer Night's Dream, Delius' Summer Night on the River and Elgar's In The South, conducted by RSNO Associate Conductor James Lowe.

On Friday 29 June The RSNO Big Band meets Peter Grant. Still in his teens, Peter Grant has already released a Top Ten hit album, been championed by television and radio presenter Michael Parkinson, likened to Matt Munroe, and has impressed the music industry: Composer of Joanna Tony Hatch remarked, "Peter Grant's version of Joanna is simply outstanding. He is a great singer and this is the best version of the song since Scott Walker's."

The Scottish Last Night of the Proms (Saturday 30 June) remains one of the highlights of the summer orchestral calendar. This year the 'Last Night' concludes the June Concerts series with a typically raucous evening of traditional Scottish music alongside orchestral favourites. The evening includes music by George Gershwin, John Williams, John Adams and Benjamin Britten, as well as arias from 'Scottish Tenor' Nicky Spence, and an appearance by the award-winning ScottishPower Pipe Band.

Royal Scottish National Orchestra Chief Executive Simon Woods announced the series, commenting: "The summer has always been a time for the RSNO to let its hair down and play different kinds of music, and this year will be no exception. I'm particularly pleased to welcome Stephen Hough for what I believe will be a weekend of incredible music making, casting new light on Rachmaninov's great concertos."

Ticket prices start at £10.00. -- www.rsno.org.uk