In a world increasingly inclined towards the quick and the disposable, Absolute Classics continues to champion the enduring beauty of excellence.
This year, the organisation steps confidently into a new chapter with its most daring and expansive series of concerts to date: two festivals – one in May (23-25), the other in July (3-6) – followed by a full season from September through March. Each moment curated with flair, sophistication, and a reverence for the transformative power of live music.
-
Two festivals:
-
May Festival: 23–25 May
-
July Festival: 3–6 July
-
-
Full concert season: September 2025 to March 2026
From burnished tone to world-stage acclaim, this season welcomes cellist Brannon Cho, whose artistry has earned him First Prize at the International Paulo Cello Competition and recognition from the Queen Elisabeth, Naumburg and Cassadó competitions. His playing – described by the Boston Classical Review as possessing “spellbinding technique and a probing musical mind” – marks him out as a once-in-a-generation voice on the cello.
No less electrifying is the return of Nicola Benedetti to UK stages in her first solo tour in over a decade. Lauded by The Times as “the country’s favourite violinist,” Benedetti strips back the concert experience to its purest, most personal form. Expect romantic miniatures, virtuosic firecrackers, and soulful folk melodies – all interwoven with stories, reflections and a warmth that transcends the stage. She is joined by a dream team of collaborators: Brazilian guitarist Plínio Fernandes and Italian accordionist Samuele Telari – both stars in their own right.
The line-up reads like a love letter to musical brilliance. Violinist Jack Liebeck, clarinettist Julian Bliss, and the extraordinary guitarist Alexandra Whittingham, whose modern-day virtuosity and online reach have brought her to the attention of millions (over 50 million, to be exact), each bring something entirely their own.
The piano, that eternal instrument of mystery and might, will be given its due by the phenomenal talents of Andrey Gugnin, Mei Yi Foo, and Konstantin Soukhovetski – each artist selected not just for their technical prowess, but for their ability to conjure entire worlds from a single phrase
Celebrating our local young talent is a special privilege, and it’s a joy to see the next generation taking the stage. Alongside our acclaimed education and outreach programmes, the May Festival shines a spotlight on five of our own rising stars of the classical world: Iona MacDonald (violin), Hugo Eedle (cello), Will Archibald (cello), Catriona Arthur (soprano), and Lewis Menzies (tenor). Join them at Dabton House for a spellbinding series of concerts set amidst one of Scotland’s most elegant estates.
A heartfelt thank you must go to all our partners and supporters – our magnificent venues Easterbrook Hall, Netherby Hall, Cochran Hall, and Dabton House, as well as our Funders, Patrons, and Audiences. Your unwavering belief in the power of music is what makes this extraordinary season possible.
This is not a concert series. It is a statement of intent. A celebration of artistry. An invitation to witness something remarkable. Absolute Classics is not just raising the bar – it is redefining it.
