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Nicola Benedetti, current director of the Edinburgh International Festival, considers how the festival's international programming has changed over the years.

Nicola reflects on the early ambitions that drove the festival forward; the programming, artists and events that got the attention of the classical world. She considers what being an international festival meant in the early days, and how that definition has broadened over the years.

With contributions from conductors Gustavo Dudamel and Elim Chan, previous festival director Fergus Linehan and cellist Abel Selaocoe.

Available now

56 minutes

Music Played

  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    Symphony No 1 in C Major, op 21 IV: Finale

    Orchestra: Royal Scottish National Orchestra. Conductor: Elim Chan.
  • Osvaldo Golijov

    La Pasión según San Marcos

    Orchestra: Orquesta La Pasión. Ensemble: Musicians from the RSNO. Conductor: Joana Carneiro. Choir: National Youth Choir of Scotland. Conductor: Christopher Bell. Choir: Schola Cantorum de Venezuela. Singer: Luciana Souza. Singer: Reynaldo González Fernández. Singer: Sophia Burgos.
  • Leonard Bernstein

    'West Side Story'- Symphonic Dances

    Orchestra: Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Gustavo Dudamel.
  • M.S. Subbulakshmi

    ¸éÄå²µ²¹

    Singer: M.S. Subbulakshmi.
  • Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

    Serenade 'Eine Kleine Nachtmusik' K 525: Rondo (Allegro)

    Orchestra: Berliner Philharmoniker. Conductor: Herbert von Karajan.
  • Georges Bizet

    Carmen- Seguidilla

    Singer: Teresa Berganza. Singer: Plácido Domingo. Conductor: Claudio Abbado. Orchestra: London Symphony Orchestra.
  • Trad.

    'Sallatu Allah'

    Ensemble: Hespèrion XXI. Conductor: Jordi Savall.
  • Abel Selaocoe

    Improvised Hub performance 2023, cello and loop pedal

    Performer: Abel Selaocoe.
  • Australian World Orchestra

    Rite of Spring- Part 1: Adoration of the Earth (excerpt)

    Orchestra: Australian World Orchestra. Conductor: Zubin Mehta.
  • Elizabeth Ogonek

    All These Lighted Things I. Exuberant , playful, bright

    Orchestra: Antwerp Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Elim Chan.

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