Classical Music In Edinburgh
If classical music is your thing, or you would like to try something different at the Edinburgh Festival, then hope that next year’s festival will be as bold and exciting as 2011’s. There will no doubt be some worthwhile classical concerts to see, if you are thinking of visiting the city then.
Following Edinburgh’s emphasis this year on things east of Suez, one of the highlights in the festival was The Arditti Quartet. They dedicated the first part of their morning recital almost completely to the works of Japanese composers. Toru Takemitsu’s A way a Lone was a one of the familiar sounds – having been part of the Arditti Quartet’s repertory for a long time. The music was also peppered here and there with references to Berg and Schoenberg. The resulting creation was beautiful and to an extent enjoyable, but it left no memorable moments that made me want to hear it all over again.
The Life-Cycle of a Lotus Plant – from germination to decay, was supposedly replicated in musical form within Hosokawa’s piece, but there was nothing in particular about the music which made it unique to the life of a lotus plant. The music could quite easily have been about a long journey – the beginning – the planning of the trip, to the little anecdotal encounters on the way – its climax; and finally the arrival at some destination.
The trouble with the Arditti quartet, unfortunately, is that it is forever including new and unfamiliar works in its programmes. That often means that its audience tend to concentrate on what they are playing rather than how they are playing the piece or interpreting it.
The quartet was formed by the Violinist Irvine Arditti who teamed up with John Senter, Lenox Mackenzie and Levine Andrade in 1974. It is particularly known for its interpretation of contemporary music – not necessarily classics.
Arditti has performed with a lot of renowned orchestras and ensembles such as the Bayerische Rundfunk, Royal Concertgebouw, Rotterdam Philharmonic, Oslo Sinfonietta and Schoenberg Ensemble. He has recorded more than thirty albums based on his solo works and recorded well over a hundred and fifty with the quartet.
If you are staying in a luxury Edinburgh hotel then ask the staff at reception to advise you on where to find the best live classical music in town. The Edinburgh Hilton usually has a lot of leaflets which might help you find what you are looking for. Their front desk staffs are also very friendly and knowledgeable.