Absolute Classics

Absolute Classics Summer Festival returns to Easterbrook Hall, Dumfries, 9–12 July.

This year’s programme has real breadth: the bright, immediate energy of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, intimate chamber music with some of the UK’s finest players, outstanding young local performers, a major closing piano recital, and a final-night swing set saluting the golden age of jazz.

If you’ve been meaning to book, now’s the moment. Tickets are moving, and we’d love to see Easterbrook Hall full.

What’s on
Thu 9 July, 7:30pm — The Four Seasons (Victoria Lyon & Ensemble Lyon)
Fri 10 July, 7:30pm — Ivan Skanavi (cello) & Mana Oguchi (piano)
Sat 11 July, 10:00am — Emerging Artists Recital Lewismenziesmusician, Catriona Arthur, Will Archibald, Simon Callaghan
Sat 11 July, 7:30pm — Sacconi Quartet & Simon Callaghan (Schumann + Dvořák Piano Quintets)
Sun 12 July, 2:30pm — Giordano Buondonno, piano (Pictures at an Exhibition)
Sun 12 July, 7:30pm — Colin Steele’s Kings of Swing

Tickets: www.absoluteclassics.co.uk or Midsteeple Box Office

Dumfries and Galloway! Whats Going on ? Dumfries & Galloway Life DG Unlimited,

Join us for a sparkling recital with four outstanding musicians: Will Archibald (cello), Catriona Arthur (soprano), Lewis Menzies (tenor) and Simon Callaghan (piano) , in a programme that moves from Mendelssohn, Schubert and Strauss to Satie, Shostakovich and Franck, with a few much-loved Scottish songs along the way (including Burns and Lady Nairne).

Saturday 11 July 10am, Easterbrook Hall, Dumfries.

We’re especially proud to welcome Scottish cellist Will Archibald, whose musical journey began right here in Dumfries at the age of six, and who now studies at Chetham’s School of Music in Manchester, already collecting major prizes and performing widely as a soloist and chamber musician.

With rising vocal stars Catriona Arthur (RNCM Masters) and Lewis Menzies (RNCM graduate), and the internationally acclaimed pianist Simon Callaghan, this promises to be one of those nights where you leave thinking: we heard them early.

Tickets via our website. We’d love to see you there.

Joining us this July is pianist Giordano Buondonno. His recital will take place on Sunday the 12 July 2:30pm Easterbrook Hall.

Tickets: https://www.absoluteclassics.co.uk/festival/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MnvQwXwjngM

Bach/Busoni - Toccata and Fugue in D minor BWV 565 (transcription) - Giordano Buondonno Live Recording at Milton Court Concert Hal, London, Barbican CentreJune 2nd, 2025

Big melodies, real drama, and that unmistakable piano-and-strings sound, live at the Easterbrook Hall.

The Sacconi Quartet join pianist Simon Callaghan at Easterbrook Hall on Saturday 11 July 2026 for two absolute masterpieces, Schumann’s Piano Quintet and Dvořák’s Piano Quintet, with Rachmaninov’s Romance to open.

We’re delighted to welcome home one of our own: Scottish cellist , joined by pianist .

Will’s musical journey began at the age of six, when he first started lessons with Alex McQuiston. Since then, he’s gone on to study at Chetham’s School of Music in Manchester, building a reputation as a compelling soloist, chamber musician and orchestral player. He’s performed with ensembles including the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland Symphony Orchestra, Chetham’s Symphony Orchestra, and the Solway Sinfonia. Will has collected a string of awards along the way, including the Beatrice Huntington Award and major prizes at the Scottish Young Solo Musician of the Year, Dumfries Music Festival, and Carlisle Music Festival.

If you love hearing exceptional young musicians up close, this is a concert to put in the diary.