A tradition established by the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra has been two-yearly festivals devoted to a single composer; these have been dedicated to Gustav Mahler, Felix Mendelssohn and J S Bach in recent years, and marking the fiftieth anniversary of the composer’s passing in 1975 Dmitry Shostakovich is to be the subject in a two-week festival covering almost all of his works. Dmitry Shostakovich visited the city of Leipzig several times in his career – the first time was for the Bach Festival in 1950, and he composed his Eighth String Quartet in the town of Görlitz in Saxony. His score for the feature film about the bombing of Dresden Five Days and Nights was composed after visiting the bombed city of Dresden. The Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra gave the German premiere of Shostakovich’s Tenth Symphony under the baton of Fritz Konwitschny in Leipzig.
This portrayal of Shostakovich’s works will be between 15 May and 1 June in a festival featuring all fifteen symphonies and string quartets in what will be one of the most comprehensive examinations of the works of the great composer.
The Barbican has announced its forthcoming season of classical music from September 2025 – July 2026
The season will champion new and radical performances, spotlighting diverse and groundbreaking artists whose work is profoundly engaged with the issues of the day. Across 2025 and 2026, there will be premieres from Bushra El-Turk, Hildur Guðnadóttir, Catherine Lamb, Blasio Kavuma, Tansy Davies, and Tyshawn Sorey among others, with performances by Davóne Tines, Seth Parker Woods, Compagnie Amala Dianor, Theatre of Kiribati and many more. The season will also feature Fragile Earth – a series of events that focus on our relationship with the natural world, including UK premieres of work by Julia Wolfe and Lemi Ponifasio. Alongside these will sit international ensembles, artist residencies, and major anniversaries showcasing the widest possible spectrum of classical music – from beloved favourites to groundbreaking new music, from internationally-renowned artists to rising stars.
Music at Paxton festival unveils a dazzling programme of world class music with a truly global flavour from Friday 18 – Sunday 27 July 2024, Music at Paxton presents 10 days of glorious international music at Paxton House on the banks of the River Tweed in the Scottish Borders. The 2025 festival comprises 24 events and concerts from international, national and local artists in the famous Paxton House Picture Gallery, hung high with paintings from the National Galleries of Scotland’s collection. Following on from the success of last year, the festival ventures beyond the grounds of Paxton House for concerts in Norham, Berwick-upon-Tweed and Duns.
May music tour of Israel: A pianist’s mission to heal through harmony
Peter Simon
In a world increasingly defined by conflict and division, one concert pianist is striking a different chord. Peter Simon, an acclaimed American musician with a career that spans continents, is preparing for a deeply personal and profoundly symbolic journey. In May 2025, Simon will travel to Israel for a special tour that blends world-class artistry with a mission of compassion — offering free concerts across the country to bring healing, hope, and humanity to communities in pain.
The mightiest string quartet cycle of the twentieth century is rarely encountered live. Indeed, it is probable that a complete cycle of the quartets of the formidable Russian composer Dmitri Shostakovich (1906-1975) has never before been presented in the American Midwest. That is changing this month when the Jerusalem Quartet brings these intense, epic works to the Gartner Auditorium at the Cleveland Museum of Art for a five-concert series.
The Royal Scottish National Orchestra (RSNO) launches its 2025:26 Concert Season, featuring Scottish talent, contemporary composers and new commissions.
The 2025/26 Season explores brand new music, celebrates living composers and brings old favourites to communities all across Scotland under the artistic leadership of Music Director Thomas Søndergård.
Music Director Thomas Søndergård continues his epic Mahler cycle Principal Guest Conductor Patrick Hahn swaps podium for piano Anthony Parnther joins as Featured Artist for 2025:26 Season Celebrating the sounds and sights of home Committed to new works and contemporary voices Red carpet rolled out with RSNO at the Movies
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.