Elisabeth Leonskaja
Legendary Soviet pianist Elisabeth Leonskaja is one of the most widely respected pianists performing today. Don't miss her performance at the Edinburgh International Festival on 18th August!
About Elisabeth Leonskaja
Legendary Soviet pianist Elisabeth Leonskaja finds fresh perspectives on well-loved music, including Schubert and Brahms.
Quite simply a titan of the keyboard, Elizabeth Leonskaja is one of the most widely respected pianists performing today. She comes from an eminent lineage of Soviet players and, early in her career, famously performed regularly alongside her legendary colleague, Sviatoslav Richter. Her performances are steeped in decades of thought and experience. They glow with authority and integrity, yet Leonskaja also brings the thrill of rediscovery to her concerts, finding fresh new perspectives on even much-loved music – and often challenging preconceptions in the process.
She begins her International Festival recital with Schubert’s gently lyrical Allegretto in E flat, though menace and drama are never far from its calm surface. Schoenberg’s Six Little Piano Pieces are remarkable miniatures of intensely concentrated expression.
Leonskaja concludes with Brahms’s expansive, ambitious Third Piano Sonata, inspired by Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony and written on an almost symphonic scale. Set across five substantial movements, it bursts with melody and swelling emotion, from the pensive to the boisterous to a dazzlingly bravura finale, just the music to highlight the remarkable insights of Leonskaja’s perceptive artistry.
Venue: Old College Quad - University of Edinburgh, South Bridge, Edinburgh, EH8 9YL
Our Old College Quad outdoor venue is home to our afternoon chamber music series, a session of traditional Scottish music, five nights of inspirational spoken word and unmissable late night cabaret.
Our outdoor venues are covered, but you should come dressed appropriately for the weather, including suitable footwear for walking across grass.
Where possible we will update our listings to notify of cancelled, postponed and rescheduled events, however we STRONGLY ADVISE that you check with the venue/organiser in the first instance for updates.
All information (whether in text or photographs) is supplied in good faith but should not be relied upon as being a statement of representation or fact.GOT AN EVENT TO SHARE? It's free to post your events on What's On Edinburgh, click here to find out more!
Want to be the first to hear about what's happening in Edinburgh? Just hit 'Like' on our Facebook page, join the What's On Scotland Facebook Group and 'Follow' on our Twitter account and you're all set!Sponsored Links
Other Events at University of Edinburgh or Edinburgh International Festival
The Outrun
Amy Liptrot’s bestselling memoir is brought to life in an epic and elemental world premiere at Church Hill Theatre.
READ MORE
Preview Night: Breabach
Scottish Highland and Island musical traditions collide with brand-new compositions by folk band Breabach.
READ MORE
900 Voices
The voices of Edinburgh’s communities shape an ever-evolving sound installation inside St Giles’ Cathedral's magnificent interior.
READ MORE
Edinburgh International Festival
The Edinburgh International Festival returns from 2nd to 25th August 2024 with live performance throughout the city.
READ MORE
Il Pomo D’Oro & Jakub Józef Orliński
Journey to 17th-century Italy with Il Pomo d'Oro and countertenor Jakub Józef Orliński in an enchanting performance of early Baroque music.
READ MORE
La Pasión Según San Marcos
Latin American music meets Afro-Cuban and contemporary classical in this bold interpretation of Christ’s Crucifixion.
READ MORE
Penthesilea
Ferocious and emotionally charged, Internationaal Theater Amsterdam’s production of Heinrich von Kleist’s Penthesilea is a powerful fusion of a rock concert and an ancient tragic love story.
READ MORE
First Night at The Hub
Kick off your International Festival in style with Festival Director Nicola Benedetti and handpicked music icons.
READ MORE
Edinburgh International Festival: The Opening Concert - St Matthew Passion
Edinburgh Festival Chorus revives Mendelssohn's arrangement of Johann Sebastian Bach’s sublime piece about Christ's last days on earth before his resurrection.
READ MORE
Soumik Datta
Multi-talented British-Indian musician and composer Datta introduces the International Festival to the sounds of the ancient sarod.
READ MORE
Schola Cantorum de Venezuela
From sacred hymns to Latin American pop culture, Schola Cantorum de Venezuela shares their diverse repetoire.
READ MORE
Grupo Corpo
The legendary Brazilian dance company blends Brazilian forms with ballet and contemporary dance to create a unique style, illuminating the uniqueness of Brazilian culture.
READ MORE
Sidiki Dembele
Sidiki Dembele furthers the mission of his griot ancestors, with captivating drumming rituals from West Africa.
READ MORE
Leonore Piano Trio
One of the UK’s most accomplished chamber groups showcases music from Clara Schumann, Helen Grime and Antonín Dvořák.
READ MORE
Bamberger Symphoniker: Hans Rott’s First Symphony
Jakub Hrůša and the Bamberger Symphoniker bring a little-known symphonic masterpiece to light.
READ MORE
Elizabeth Llewellyn and Simon Lepper
Soprano Elizabeth Llewellyn and pianist Simon Lepper delve into the colourful world and emotive landscapes of the late Romantic era.
READ MORE
Bamberger Symphoniker: Beyond the Score® - Dvořák’s New World Symphony
Take a deep dive into one of the first multicultural symphonies with the Bamberger Symphoniker, narrator Gerard McBurney and guest artists.
READ MORE
Alexandre Kantorow
Renowned French pianist Alexandre Kantorow showcases the visions of four great composer-pianists in a captivating recital at The Queen's Hall Edinburgh!
READ MORE
Raphaël Feuillâtre
From Bach's Baroque elegance to Piazzolla's Argentine flair, French guitarist Raphaël Feuillâtre performs a virtuosic programme comprising centuries of music.
READ MORE
Bamberger Symphoniker: Dvořák and Suk
Jakub Hrůša and the Bamberger Symphoniker pair a late masterpiece by Antonín Dvořák with his son-in-law Josef Suk’s most ambitious orchestral work.
READ MORE
Songs of the Bulbul
The world premiere of Aakash Odedra’s latest work creates a mediative exchange between the Indian classical dance Sufi Kathak and Islamic poetry.
READ MORE
Stefan Dohr and Friends
Berlin Philharmonic's principal horn, Stefan Dohr, presents Brahms's poignant Horn Trio and Ligeti's 20th-century masterpiece, inspired by the former's brilliance.
READ MORE
Così fan tutte
After last year's acclaimed The Magic Flute, The Scottish Chamber Orchestra and Chorus, along with their Principal Conductor Maxim Emelyanychev, further their exploration of Mozart's operas.
READ MORE
Chilly Gonzales
Animated by his collaborations with Jarvis Cocker, Feist and Daft Punk, musical maverick Chilly Gonzales steps out onto the stage with his brand-new show, GONZO.
READ MORE
Chiaroscuro Quartet
The acclaimed Chiaroscuro Quartet brings the bygone era of Haydn and Beethoven back to life at The Queen's Hall Edinburgh.
READ MORE
Oedipus Rex
Experience Scottish Opera’s immersive staging of Igor Stravinsky’s opera in the unique setting of the National Museum of Scotland.
READ MORE
Maxim Emelyanychev & Principals of the SCO
Led by Maxim Emelyanychev on the fortepiano, the Scottish Chamber Orchestra soloists present captivating renditions from the world of Mozart.
READ MORE
Youssou N’Dour
Don't miss this rare chance to hear Youssou N’Dour mix ancient traditions with eclectic world influences at the Usher Hall on 13th August!
READ MORE
Sheku Kanneh-Mason & Harry Baker
Diverse compositions spanning Janáček to Lianne La Havas are woven together by Sheku Kanneh-Mason and pianist Harry Baker.
READ MORE
Ilumina Residency: Exploring Ilumina
Discover the São Paulo-based collective’s musical process as the ensemble performs all around you at the Usher Hall!
READ MORE
Ilumina Residency: In The Light Of The Shadow
The São Paulo-based artist collective takes on an eclectic array of compositions, spanning French baroque to Afro-samba.
READ MORE
Ian Bostridge & Steven Osborne
British singer Ian Bostridge joins Edinburgh-born pianist Steven Osborne for Franz Schubert’s visionary song cycle Schwanengesang.
READ MORE
The Alehouse Sessions
Step inside the world of 17th-century London, as the Usher Hall gets catapulted through time and re-invented as a public drinking house!
READ MORE
Edinburgh Festival Chorus
Lose yourself in Grechaninov’s hypnotic sound in a late-night concert given by the Edinburgh Festival Chorus and their director James Grossmith!
READ MORE
Takács Quartet
The International Festival regulars perform two Viennese classics alongside the European premiere of Nokuthula Ngwenyama’s cosmically inspired Flow.
READ MORE
Mahler 5 Inside and Out
Pull up a beanbag next to the musicians and be swept along by Mahler’s story, which culminates in the Adagietto, the composer’s great declaration of love.
READ MORE
European Union Youth Orchestra: Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra
Led by conductor Gianandrea Noseda, the European Union Youth Orchestra leads an educational expedition across the instruments of the grand ensemble.
READ MOREEuropean Union Youth Orchestra: Don Quixote
Recline on a beanbag and lose yourself in the epic story of a loveable rogue turned chivalrous knight at the Usher Hall on 16th August!
READ MORE
The Marriage of Figaro
The acclaimed Komische Oper Berlin and director Kirill Serebrennikov, known for his daring, satirical productions, present Mozart’s iconic comic opera.
READ MORE
Mahan Esfahani
Iranian-American musician Mahan Esfahani reveals the rich harpsichord repertoire of the late Baroque period.
READ MORE
Mahler’s Fifth Symphony
The Hallé and Sir Mark Elder return to present Mahler's dramatic Fifth Symphony in its entirety alongside Lili Boulanger's Psalm 130.
READ MORE
Royal Scottish National Orchestra & Elim Chan
Three pioneering musical languages dramatically contrast in this expedition of the concerto form, guided by conductor Elim Chan.
READ MORE
Cat Power Sings Dylan ’66
The infinitely gifted singer-songwriter Cat Power takes on Bob Dylan’s legendary 1966 'Royal Albert Hall' concert as part of the Edinburgh International Festival!
READ MORE
Seong-Jin Cho
The piano virtuoso contrasts two exquisite pieces by Maurice Ravel with the second of Franz Liszt’s Années de pèlerinage.
READ MORE
Kleio Quartet
Triumphant and hope-filled ensembles by Benjamin Britten and Joseph Haydn meet Wynton Marsalis’s vibrant celebration of New Orleans.
READ MORE
Balimaya Project
The Mandé jazz sensations blend West African folkloric music with the sounds of London's music scene.
READ MORE
Kammerorchester Basel
Women composers hold the spotlight in this concert of 19th-century music at the Usher Hall on 20th August.
READ MORE
Edinburgh International Festival: Pierre-Laurent Aimard
Pierre-Laurent Aimard, one of the world’s greatest pianists, performs a collection of pieces from Schoenberg and other composers.
READ MORE
Fire in my mouth
The UK premiere of a multimedia impassioned elegy for the victims of New York’s 1911 Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire.
READ MORE
The Fifth Step
The Fifth Step, David Ireland's latest collaboration with the National Theatre of Scotland tells a complex story about men, intimacy and our belief systems.
READ MORE
Irish Baroque Orchestra
Discover an 18th-century Dublin concert with music from Handel, Geminiani and the mysterious musician Mr Charles.
READ MORE
Assembly Hall
Combining Arthurian cosplay and emotive contemporary dance, Crystal Pite and Jonathon Young present their major new dance work 'Assembly Hall' at the Festival Theatre!
READ MORE
Bat For Lashes
Indie pop sensation Bat for Lashes unveils new songs in her euphoric art-pop sound at The Queens Hall Edinburgh on 23rd August as part of the Edinburgh International Festival.
READ MORE
Midori & Özgür Aydin
Multi-award-winning Japanese violinist Midori returns to the International Festival with her long-time recital partner, American pianist Özgür Aydin in a dazzling programme.
READ MORE
BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra & Sir Donald Runnicles
Experience the works of two late-Romantic musical titans in celebration of conductor Sir Donald Runnicles's 70th birthday.
READ MORE
Exploring Rossini with Thomas Quasthoff
Bass-baritone and voice professor Thomas Quasthoff conducts 12 gifted students in an intimate performance of Gioachino Rossini's musical swansong, Petite Messe solennelle.
READ MORE
Philharmonia Orchestra Residency: Verdi’s Requiem
The Edinburgh Festival Chorus joins the orchestra for Verdi's powerful setting of the Catholic funeral mass.
READ MORE
The Magnetic Fields
American indie pop band The Magnetic Fields returns to the International Festival for a very special anniversary.
READ MORE
Edinburgh International Festival: Closing Concert - Capriccio
To celebrate his 80th birthday year, world-renowned British conductor and International Festival regular Sir Andrew Davis returns to the first opera he ever conducted!
READ MORE
Philharmonia Orchestra Residency: Family Concert
Our Festival Director Nicola Benedetti joins Philharmonia as solo violinist in this family-friendly rendition of an instantly recognisable piece of classical music.
READ MORE
Grit Orchestra
Winner of the Scottish Awards for New Music for innovation in New Traditional Music, the GRIT Orchestra is bound to push the limits of genre and Celtic culture.
READ MORESponsored Links
Similar events you might like...
The White Heather Ceilidh Club
Join The White Heather Ceilidh Club for a bonnie (and wild!) evening of Scottish Ceilidh Dancing in the heart of Edinburgh!
READ MORE
Flamenco Noche
Join the Alba Flamenca Penya for a show full of fiery intensity and joyful celebration in our beautiful and intimate ‘tablao’!
READ MORE
Dr. Bonk’s Macarbaret
Scotland's silliest surgeon, Dr. Bonk, is back with his hit SELL-OUT SHOW 'Dr Bonk's Macarbaret', an evening of drag, burlesque, music, comedy, and medical mayhem!
READ MORE
Scots Music Group Ceilidhs
All welcome to the Scots Music Group fabulous monthly fundraising ceilidhs at the St Brides Centre! Come on your own, with friends or in a group.
READ MORE
Open Mic Night
Join host Michael Dodds every Wednesday at The Three Sisters for an evening of music, singing, poetry, comedy and much more!
READ MORE
Wee Live Music Fun: violin, guitar, ukulele for 0 - 2yrs
In these sessions, Fionnbarr, Little Plaza's resident musician will play and sing for the kids and parents, with elements like singing and clapping along for those who want to.
READ MORE
Ceilidh in Charteris Centre
Edinburgh Ceilidhs invites you to a ceilidh in the Charteris Centre with caller Ken Gourlay, ceilidh band and piper.
READ MORE
Rockstar Karaoke
Come bring all your friends and sing all night to all your favourite rockaoke classics on Mondays at Legends!
READ MOREFind other events in Edinburgh
Sponsored Links