Salle: Greyfriars Kirk, Edimbourg

Edinburgh’s Ludus Baroque joined by the Marian Consort bring seasonal joy and Baroque warmth in a complete performance of Bach’s Christmas Oratorio.

Britten’s Ceremony of Carols with pieces by Tavener, MacMillan and Lauridsen contrast with Byrd and Dowland in a thoughtful and moving performance of Christmas musical icons from the Scottish Chamber Orchestra Chorus.

The Scottish première of Will Todd's Mass in Blue was a joyous coming of age concert for the Cadenza choir at the Edinburgh Fringe.

A stellar quartet deliver Messiaen's time-stopping depiction of the eternal in Edinburgh's Greyfriars Kirk.

Despite the accolades heaped upon the Berlin Philharmonic and Sir Simon Rattle’s performance and recording of this version of Bruckner’s 9th symphony with its unfinished finale, performances worldwide remain few and far between.

At one extreme of musical preparation, early music specialists rely on research to ensure authentic performance of music by composers long dead. At the other, composers writing today might well be acquainted with the performers and consult them on the technical possibility of some passages and attend rehearsals.

Built on the site of a Franciscan friary which was dissolved in 1559, Greyfriars Kirk is one of the treasures of Edinburgh's 'Old Town'. A rich tradition of music-making has grown there, due to its striking interior and fantastic acoustic.