Edinburgh Festival listings

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 Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra performs one of the grandest and most moving pieces in the entire orchestral repertoire: Mahler’s Second Symphony. Tracing a journey from funereal despair to the blazing light of rebirth, the Symphony combines moments of hair-raising terror with passages of poignant intimacy. The…

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…

Derval Tubridy, Goldsmiths, University of London, explores the vibrant interplay between Samuel Beckett’s work and contemporary art with a particular focus on bodies and technology. Chaired by Octavian Saiu.

Producer of the Beckett on Film project, Michael Colgan discusses the challenges in creating this extraordinary film collection.

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…

Step back to the early 1920s, to the birth place of jazz: to the music of the bars and dance halls of New Orleans: Louis, Jelly Roll Morton, King Oliver. Swinging sounds delivered with real conviction, spirit and passion from this hugely popular Edinburgh group, led by banjoist, Bill Salmond, and tonight in an all star…

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…

Rarely has there been a title that more accurately describes a show than this one.

The piano maestro has been back and forth to Copenhagen regularly in recent years, building a reputation for himself in one of Europe’s great jazz cities. Now he’s formed a band which features two great local residents – Daniel Franck (bass) and Niclas Camapgnol (drums). New musicians, but they play the powerful, swinging…

Presumably inspired by those ridiculous Bic For Her biros the internet went crazy for this year, Christie's latest show also looks at the sensuality of a good mac and getting all up in the patriarchy's grill. Good stuff.

For four voices by Peter D Robinson, nominated for MTM UK Best Composer 2007. The Canticles of Zachary, Mary, and Simeon: Benedictus, Magnificat, and Nunc Dimittis, praise God from varying perspectives and have long been integral to Christian worship.

Beckett on Film: Catastrophe: Directed by David Mamet and starring Harold Pinter, Rebecca Pidgeon and John Gielgud. Rough for Theatre II: Directed by Katie Mitchell and starring Jim Norton, Timothy Spall and Hugh B O’Brien. Breath: Directed by Damien †Hirst.

CD launch by charismatic singer with firepower quartet - Graeme Stephen (g), Paul Harrison (keys), Mario Caribe (b) and Stu Ritchie (d).

With caller Ken Gourlay and ceilidh bands Flaming Heather, HLI, Scott Leslie, Willie Fraser and piper. All dances walked through and called. Cheap bar. Hall has air-conditioning! Fringe groups welcome. www.edinburghceilidhs.co.uk.

Choreographer and solo performer Gerhart Bonher on the making of Im (Goldenen) Schnitt I.

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…

The charismatic New York singer and pianist is the talk of Manhattan. Still in her mid-20s she’s got the lived in voice that gives authority to all the classic show songs, and invites comparisons with everyone from Billlie Holiday to Carmen McRae, and she plays great piano. She’d have Errol Garner checking her out. No one…