The Queen's Hall

Two titans of the piano repertoire are performed by the formidable Swiss pianist Andreas Haefliger, whose combination of luxuriant richness and steely control in his impeccable playing have earnt him worldwide acclaim. Although his earlier works had been conceived for the wooden fortepiano, Beethoven needed the modern…

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.

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…

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…

Formed in London in 2005, the young Chiaroscuro Quartet has already garnered widespread praise for its invigorating, sharply focused performances. Led by acclaimed violin soloist Alina Ibragimova, the Quartet specialises in music from the string quartet’s early years, using period instruments in subtle yet incisive…

The 2013 Queen’s Hall concerts open in style with one of the finest Lieder singers of his generation. German baritone Christian Gerhaher has been widely celebrated for the remarkable sincerity and glorious naturalness of his singing, which holds emotional truth and intellectual rigour in perfect balance. Joined by regular…

The French harpsichordist and conductor Christophe Rousset has long made the Baroque music of France his speciality, in ravishing performances that mix poise with expressive intensity, and which have attracted worldwide acclaim. He performs one of François Couperin’s books of short pieces for solo harpsichord, in which…

Jazz was as cool as a Dry Martini when Brubeck and Desmond came to town in the 50’s. Darius Brubeck carries the Brubeck flame, playing hits like “Blue Rondo A La Turk” and “Take Five” with the great saxophonist, Brandon Allen in the Paul Desmond role. Brubeck’s set also features South African jazz, and his own originals.

A richly expressive recital of Romantic song from one of the world’s most celebrated singers. German soprano Dorothea Röschmann is widely admired for her vivid portrayals in the opera house, and her talent for dramatic characterisation is equally apparent in the concert™hall. Alongside Edinburgh-born Malcolm Martineau…

A very rare performance of Ellington's wonderful "Sacred Music". Both serious and swinging the music is reverent and hip: encompassing jazz, classical music, choral music, spirituals, gospel, blues and dance. Ellington called it “the most important thing I have ever done”. Written for jazz big band, vocal and instrumental…

For one night only, Festival favourites, Fat Sam’s Band, offer foot-tapping, infectiously upbeat jazz and swing from the jive-talking, hip-swinging era. Fronted by the dangerously charismatic Hamish McGregor, the band pay homage to Louis Jordan, Cab Calloway, Louis Prima and Count Basie, and apply their jump jive and…

The Godfather of Funk and Soul and musical director of the James Brown Band during its heyday, Fred Wesley is Mr Funky. Trombonist of distinction, collaborator with the best, and sophisticated arranger, but when it comes to partying, no-one does it better. He always delivers a funky good time. Especially when he’s…

Unusual instruments and boundary-pushing music old and new from one of Scotland’s most respected chamber groups, Hebrides Ensemble. Mozart was at the cutting edge of technology in the two graceful works he wrote for glass harmonica, whose spinning crystal bowls are made to sound by gentle touch. It is an instrument almost…

Internationally renowned violinist Midori brings two concerts to this year’s Festival, offering a fresh perspective on one of the greatest collections of music in the violin repertoire. With their colossal ambition, intellectual intensity and huge emotional scope, Bach’s Sonatas and Partitas stand at the pinnacle of solo…

Acclaimed for her astonishingly assured performances while still a child, the Japanese-American violinist Midori is now internationally celebrated for the dignified concentration of her playing. She begins the second of her two Festival recitals, contrasting Bach’s seminal Sonatas and Partitas with contemporary violin…

An all-Mozart programme exploring the composer’s glorious music for wind ensemble, performed by the outstanding period-instrument group Nachtmusique. The ensemble is drawn from Europe’s most respected wind players, and brings its concert to a resounding conclusion with one of the most virtuostic and high-spirited works in…

Playing four classics from the chamber repertoire on the same number of historical clarinets, Australian-born Nicola Boud reveals how instrument design influenced the course of music, and vice versa. Joined by a group of international period players, she performs the sparkling ‘Kegelstatt’ Trio, one of the masterpieces…

Moscow-born pianist Nikolai Lugansky has been praised for both the reflective poetry and the blazing virtuosity of his commanding performances, and he explores both of these qualities in his wideranging recital. Admired as one of the world’s foremost Rachmaninov interpreters, Lugansky tackles a selection of the composer’s…

Blending sensuality with a searching intellectual rigour, French pianist Pierre-Laurent Aimard has swiftly established himself as one of the world’s truly great keyboard players, especially prized for his rich, penetrating performances of 20th-century music. Following his two late-night concerts in The Hub, in this…

The players of France’s Ébène Quartet bring this year’s Queen’s Hall concerts to a thrilling conclusion. Praised for their inspirational performances and for a musical maturity well beyond their years, over the last decade they have steadily marked out a reputation as one of the world’s most compelling and sought-after…

A great night of blues and boogie woogie. Festival favourites, Red Stripe and his seven- piece band, are back with another rollicking night of boogie woogie, blues, jump jive, swing, and rock n’roll. Described as “the closest thing to Jools Holland and his band” (Jazz FM).“Red Stripe’s immediate rapport with the audience…

Music for your brain and body. Brooklyn's Snarky Puppy bring their dazzling, genre-bending, jazz/funk/dance fused sounds to the Festival. Not many bands can combine raw funk with sensitive dynamics, relentless groove and lyrical melodicism, lush harmony and soulful simplicity, and most importantly, composition and…

Alternative hip hop from Scotland.

One of the big hits of last year's Festival was the collaboration between Sardinian saxophonist, Enzo Favata, and Scottish musicians, Colin Steele and Dave Milligan. They're back, and with a really special 12 piece group, consisting of six Scottish and six Italian musicians, all leading players. Their music is rooted just…

Festival debut for super-charged American saxophone star with her big swinging, bop–based, all female band. A young lion on the New York jazz scene, a long time member of Beyoncé’s band, and now musical director with Esperanza Spalding. Fuller’s band play some of the most exciting music on the current US scene, packed…

French soprano Véronique Gens forged her international reputation as an inspirational singer of Baroque music, and she brings the same lucid purity so valued in that repertoire to a recital of Romantic, 19th-century songs from her homeland, accompanied by the delicate playing of Susan Manoff. Gens combines stylish poise…

The lyrical Lieder performances of acclaimed German tenor Werner Güra take listeners on a spiritual and emotional journey. His glowing voice’s remarkable shadings only add to his dramatic yet subtle vocal œdeliveries. With pianist Christoph Berner, Güra begins his concert with songs of love and longing by Beethoven, from…

World-renowned violinist Pinchas Zukerman has been a soloist of international stature for decades, admired for the sincerity and technical brilliance of his playing, but he is also a respected educator and conductor. He formed the Zukerman Chamber Players in 2002 with protégés from Canada’s National Arts Centre, and their…