Listings: Music

The modern piano is as different from Mozart’s piano as a Mercedes from a horsedrawn carriage. But what effect did changes in the instrument have on the music written for it? Concert pianist Kenneth Hamilton, Professor of Music at Cardiff University, offers insights into three centuries of music at the keyboard. Chaired…

The Arditti Quartet’s acclaimed founding violinist, Irvine Arditti and Margaret Faultless, worldrenowned specialist in historical performance practice, discuss string playing techniques past and present in the company of BBC Radio 3 presenter Tom Service.

Pharoah Sanders possesses one of the most distinctive tenor saxophone sounds in jazz. Harmonically rich and heavy with overtones, He made his name with expressionistic, free jazz in John Coltrane's late ensembles of the mid-'60s, and then on a series of modal/free classic albums under his own name, he’s gone on to embrace…

Alternative hip hop from Scotland.

Grossman studied fingerstyle blues with the originals – Rev Gary Davis, Mississipi Fred McDowell and Son House, and in the 60s he brought his guitar to Britain influencing and playing with a range of musicians from Bert Jansch and John Renbourn to Eric Clapton. He’s a master of a range of styles - ragtime guitar, country…

An evening of thrilling 20th century classics from the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra under its chief guest conductor, Ilan Volkov, who is widely renowned for the passion and intensity of his music making. Sinfonia by Luciano Berio is a virtuoso work full of colour and humour that poses profound questions about what a…

All female young Australian quintet play straight ahead swinging modern jazz.

Emerging fiddle maestro.

German singer Andreas Scholl is one of classical music’s superstars, and has introduced countless listeners to the irresistible beauty of his countertenor voice. His acclaimed performances match exquisite grace in his singing with a charismatic stage presence, packed full of passion and an arresting freedom of expression.

A consummate jazz singer swing, charm, crystal clear diction and effervescent good humour.

Widely celebrated as one of the world’s preeminent contemporary music ensembles, the Arditti Quartet is famed for its spellbinding performances that combine authority and passion. Yet its players are also respected for their perceptive readings of classic repertoire, including Janáček’s First String Quartet, whose…

String quartets by Beethoven, Janáček and Shostakovich performed by Evelien Jaspers and Dmitry Ivanov (violin), Sylvain Dessane (viola) and Otto Bakker (cello).

Professor of Epistemics Jon Oberlander, Professor of Composition and Electroacoustic Composition Peter Nelson, and Chris Speed of the Edinburgh College of Art discuss historical, conceptual and philosophical relationships between the performing arts and technology. Chaired by theatre specialist Olga Taxidou.

From the boom of the 50’s and 60s to today, the undisputed kings of traditional jazz in Britain have been Ball, Barber and Bilk - the "Three Bs". Kenny Ball passed away earlier this year, but his son has stepped in to lead the band, and enabled us to present the classic three band concert one more time. Each band plays…

Trombonist and singer, Dave Batchelor, runs one of the most entertaining traditional jazz bands in Scotland. Classic dixieland jazz played with real verve and rhythmic punch by some of Scotland's finest jazz musicians: Colin Steele (trumpet), Hamish McGregor (saxes/clarinet). Fraser Spiers (harmonica), Alastair MacDonald…

The internationally renowned Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra makes a two-concert visit to the Festival under chief conductor Mariss Jansons, acclaimed for his blistering performances and for his cultured interpretations that shine fresh light on major classical works. Tchaikovsky’s 'Pathétique' Symphony is one of the…

Celebrated Belgian early-music conductor René Jacobs rejects the academic coolness of some period performance in favour of bright colours, dramatic energy and a sometimes unconventional approach. While remaining faithful to his music’s historical roots, Jacobs emphasises emotion and meaning, finding fresh perspectives on…

String quartets by Schubert, Mendelssohn and Dvorák performed by Clemens Flieder and Clemens Gordon (violin), Johanna Zaunschirn (viola) and Gundula Leitner (cello).

Eloquence and elegance characterise Argentinian-born mezzo soprano Bernarda Fink’s raptuorously received recitals. Acclaimed both for her golden-toned voice and for her subtle characterisations, Fink offers vivid, deeply expressive song performances. With her regular recital partner, US-born pianist Anthony Spiri, she…

Rare Edinburgh show by the great jazz drummer and his classic swinging trio.

The nine-piece collective, based in Edinburgh, performs lively Celtic folk-rock.

Lady banjo players extraordinaire tour their bluegrass ballads.

The top Scottish blues band are back in the Spiegel Tent for a hard driving, good time blues and boogie night. Over the years, they have played alongside Robert Cray, Pinetop Perkins, Charlie Musselwhite, Buddy Guy and Junior Wells, and famously with Maggie Bell last year, but its their own Chicago blues inspired sound…

The celebrated Chamber Orchestra of Europe delves further into the richly contrasting musical worlds of Strauss and Beethoven in the second of its two Festival concerts under fiery young conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin. Wagner famously called Beethoven’s Seventh Symphony ‘the apotheosis of the dance’, and its infectious…