Martin Creed’s Words and Music
Beginning August 4, artist, musician and Turner Prize-winner Martin Creed takes up residence in The Studio, inviting festival-goers to join him in a nonconformist evening of words, music and more. Creed, whose latest album of musical works, Thoughts Lined Up, released last summer, has often combined art, talking, choreography and music (played with his band) to delight audiences with his renowned wit and absurdity. He famously won the Turner Prize in 2001 with his controversial Work No. 227: The lights going on and off. His Work No. 1197 ‘all the bells in a country rung as quickly and as loudly as possible for three minutes' opened the Olympic and Paralympic celebrations as part of the London 2012 Festival. ‘Martin Creed’s Words and Music’ will run from August 4-27.
Book Tickets
Nederlands Dans Theater
Nederlands Dans Theater has a long history of acclaimed shows at the International Festival. This year they present a triple bill of works designed and choreographed by Sol León, Paul Lightfoot and Gabriela Carrizo. Using the gently rippling score of Tirol Concerto for piano and orchestra by Philip Glass, ‘Shoot the Moon’ spies on the love lives of three different couples, corralled in tenderness, anger and sadness amid magically transforming rooms. León and Lightfoot’s award-winning psycho-drama is at the Edinburgh Playhouse from 21-23 August.
Book Tickets
Classical Concerts
On August 16, French duo François Leleux (oboe) and Eric Le Sage (piano) take to the stage at The Queen’s Hall with works of all styles and periods. Featured in the programme are Sonata for Oboe and Piano by Henri Dutilleux and Sonata for Oboe and Piano by Francis Poulenc. The full recital will be broadcast live on BBC Radio 3.
Edinburgh Overture by Arthur Bliss opens the seventieth anniversary celebration concert performed by the BBC Symphony Orchestra and conducted by Martyn Brabbins. The ten-minute work was commissioned by the EIF to mark its tenth anniversary. Writing in 1956, Bliss spoke about the work:
‘When, last autumn, I got an invitation to write a concert overture for this year's Edinburgh Festival, I was very pleased indeed, for by writing a special work I could at last say a musical 'thank you' to Scotland for the two honours I have received from Scottish universities. I greatly prize being a Doctor of Music at Edinburgh, and a Doctor of Law at Glasgow, and though this work of mine is a short and modest one, it allows me at any rate to do something in return.’
The joyful and dance-filled overture will be joined by works by Vaughan Williams, Mahler, Shostakovich and more. Celebrate the ongoing success of the EIF on August 27 at the Usher Hall or hear its closing concert broadcast live on BBC Radio 3.
Book Tickets: François Leleux & Eric Le Sage | 70th Anniversary Celebration Concert
For the full festival listings and more information about the Edinburgh International Festival 2017 please visit www.eif.co.uk
Martin Creed’s Words and Music
August 4-27, The Studio
François Leleux & Eric Le Sage
August 16, The Queen's Hall
Saint-Saëns Oboe Sonata in D Op 166
Hindemith Oboe Sonata
Poulenc Oboe Sonata
Schumann Adagio and Allegro in A flat Op 70
Dutilleux Oboe Sonata
Schumann Three Romances Op 94
Dorati Duo concertante
Nederlands Dans Theater
August 21-23, Edinburgh Playhouse
Shoot the Moon
Sol León & Paul Lightfoot, choreographers and designers
Philip Glass, music
Tom Bevoort, lighting designer
The missing door
Gabriela Carrizo, choreographer and designer
Raphaelle Latini, music
Tom Visser, lighting designer
Stop-Motion
Sol León & Paul Lightfoot, choreographers and designers
Max Richter, music
Tom Bevoort, lighting designer
70th Anniversary Celebration
August 27, Usher Hall
BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra
Martyn Brabbins, conductor
Bliss Edinburgh Overture
Shostakovich Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk District Suite
Vaughan Williams Fantasia on a Theme of Thomas Tallis
Mahler Songs
Ned Bigham & Gerry Fox Staffa
Ravel Daphnis et Chloé Suite No 2
Strauss II Emperor Waltz
